Waitangi Day hīkoi arrives at Treaty grounds to defend te Tiriti o Waitangi

A hīkoi in defence of te Tiriti o Waitangi has arrived at its final stop in the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to its own chant of: “Two, four, six, eight, this government is out the gate”.

The march left Te Rēinga Wairua [Cape Reinga] at dawn on February 2 and reached the grounds this morning. Its mission is a fight against any planned changes to New Zealand’s founding document.

The number of people taking part in the Toitū te Tiriti hīkoi started with about 100 at 7am and has since swelled to more than 1000 participants. Among them was Waitangi Treaty Grounds chair Pita Tipene.

The hīkoi has the same theme as Waitangi’s commemorations - upholding the Treaty of Waitangi and the Declaration of Independence - and complements other protests against, what the demonstrators view, as the coalition Government’s anti-Māori legislation.

Organiser Rueben Taipari had been particularly concerned about moves to redefine te Tiriti. He was pleased with the turnout but said it was never about numbers for him - he would march all by himself if he had to.

He encouraged everyone to stay in the resistance.

“The challenge ahead for us against this Government is huge but it’s just another government. It doesn’t have anything; it doesn’t have mana, it doesn’t have culture, it doesn’t even have whenua - it’s our whenua. The call to kotahitanga is a big one.”

Leading from the front was Mere Simmons, from Kaitāia, who encouraged others to get involved as she drove past.

Mere Simmons from Kaitāia leading the hīkoi to Waitangi. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Image 1 of 11: The hīkoi outside Te Whare Rūnanga. Photo / Michael Cunningham

The hīkoi left Paihia this morning before arriving at Te Tii Marae, where it was welcomed with a pōwhiri. Since then, the large cohort of protesters have arrived at the grounds near Te Whare Rūnanga.

A reporter at the scene described the atmosphere as somewhat solemn, with those leading the group holding framed photos of loved ones who have died.

Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki made his way to the front of the hīkoi, standing in front of the marae. Tamaki recently called out Labour, Te Pāti Māori and the Kingitanga for inciting unrest among Māori.

However, former politician Hone Harawira asked Tamaki and others in front of the marae to move out of the way so the hīkoi could come onto the marae.

Huru Tipene, from Northland’s Motatau, helped lead the hīkoi. He said he was taking part for his children, his mokopuna and his tipuna.

“We’ve just had enough. After 180 years - nearly 200 years - of fighting, I think we’ve had enough.”

Huru Tipene, from Northland’s Motatau, helped lead the hīkoi. Photo / Denise Piper

Wetini Mitai-Ngatai (Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi and Whakatohea), who was taking part, said they had mobilised now because of the Government’s policies affecting Māori.

Mitai-Ngatai said the timing was imperative as waiting put the future for Māori at risk.

”We’re here to stop those things happening ever again.”

The hīkoi approaching Te Whare Rūnanga. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Treaty of Waitangi educator Moea Armstrong was marching alongside her group, Treaty Education. The group teaches non-Māori about the Treaty.

“The idea that the Government can mess with the Treaty is really abhorrent to us,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong was part of a series of workshops held in Whangārei in the lead-up to Waitangi to help people better understand the Treaty as well as have a space to ask questions.

Treaty educator Moea Armstrong taking part in the hīkoi to Waitangi. Photo / Natasha Hill

The hīkoi gathered plenty of attention from passersby, and caused some traffic jams as it moved through Paihia to Waitangi.

Members of the hīkoi, dedicated to defending te Tiriti o Waitangi, arrive at Waitangi. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Among those marching in the hīkoi are children, a couple of people with dogs, and plenty of Tino Rangatiratanga and He Whakaputanga flags. Photo / Denise Piper

In the weeks leading up to the march, Taipari told the Advocate that he could not promise it would not disrupt or turn violent due to the strength of conviction of protesters.

But conflict of any sort had so far being absent. Although one woman started to yell obscenities at the mention of Queen Victoria.

The hīkoi to Waitangi has been held nearly every year since 1985, following from a historic march from Ngāruawāhia to Waitangi in defence of te Tiriti in 1984, when about 4000 protesters were blocked from crossing Waitangi Bridge by police.

Taipari said since then, Te Hiku Māori have taken it upon themselves to march in defence of te Tiriti.

Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.