Otepoti Solidarity Alliance leader Tiana Mihaere, who travelled to the site herself during the first week of protests, spent yesterday at the Otago University Clubs and Societies Building talking to people about Ihumatao.
Between 100 and 150 people also helped create a mural recognising the importance of whenua, or land, to be sent to protectors at the site.
Ms Mihaere was mystified about why a police presence was continuing in the area in South Auckland now the construction plan had been halted.
''They don't need to be there at all.
''I thought my friends were about to be hit [on Tuesday night]. ''
At 7pm about 100 police arrived when 40 protectors were in the area, at their evening prayers, she said.
People had been isolated from resources such as blankets to protect them from the freezing cold, and food, and she understood in the area where the police were, also were kaumatua (elders) and a 5-week-old baby.
She believed a lot of misinformation was out about the site, but said it was sacred land.
During the evening hundreds of protesters turned up to support the protectors at the site.
Videos of what had happened showed a group of protesters cut off by police, singing songs, and another, dark clip showed protesters reacting angrily to organiser Pania Newton apparently being rammed with a gate - another female protester also saying police had pushed her.
Superintendent Jill Rogers told RNZ yesterday the police presence at the site was significantly boosted in response to information protesters planned to enter the disputed land.
She denied Ms Newton had been hurt by police and said staff showed ''incredible professionalism'' in the past two weeks, despite verbal abuse, being physically shoved and being spat on.
