More than 1000 people with Hīkoi mō te Tiriti marched through Whangārei on Tuesday. Photo / Denise Piper
More than 1000 people with Hīkoi mō te Tiriti marched through Whangārei on Tuesday. Photo / Denise Piper
The leaders of a hīkoi standing up for Te Tiriti o Waitangi say their movement is already making waves in Parliament.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti officially started at Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Rēinga) on Monday, and made stops in several Far North towns before spending the night in Whangārei.
On Tuesday, the march in central Whangārei started an hour earlier than planned, with kaikaranga (callers) in traditional dress waking up the city before being followed by more than 1000 marchers.
While the hīkoi is chiefly a protest of Act’s Treaty Principles Bill, protesters say they are also against other Government policies that undermine the rights of Māori.
Many of those marching had signs or wore t-shirts saying “proud to be Māori”. But Māori were not the only ethnicity taking part, with Pākehā carrying signs showing support for tangata whenua and Te Tiriti.
By the time the hīkoi reached Laurie Hall Park, there were several thousand people holding signs, waving flags or just observing the festival-like action.
Students from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o te Rawhiti Roa and Te Kapu Whetu led welcoming haka, while iwi groups such as Ngatiwai fuelled the crowd with food and drinks.
Despite waiting for an hour to speak, hīkoi organiser Eru Kapa-Kingi got plenty of cheers when he reminded people why the march was taking place and the impact it was already having.
“It’s only day two and they’re already nervous, they’re already feeling the pressure.”
Hīkoi leader Eru Kapa-Kingi said with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon wanting to meet with hīkoi representatives, the movement is clearly making waves in Parliament. Photo / Denise Piper
Kapa-Kingi also spoke about Act leader David Seymour, who has been quoted saying he wanted to meet the hīkoi organisers but they did not want to meet him.
He confirmed this was correct.
“Why would we speak to ears that would not listen; why would we speak to minds that would not change; why would we speak to a power structure that never should’ve happened?
“This kaupapa speaks to us. I see every single one of you and I’m proud of you,” he told the crowd. “This is our moment and no one else’s.”
Scroll through photos from the hīkoi in Northland on November 11 and 12:
Image 1 of 9: Phoenix Kaipo is proud to be Maori but says the current government is sending Maori backwards. Photo / Denise Piper
“We’re marching to a promised land and we need to get there in this lifetime.”
The hīkoi is following the path of Dame Whina Cooper but took a detour on Tuesday to visit Dargaville, to stand in protest against Kaipara District Council, which has removed Māori wards and karakia from meetings.
While most participants have been driving to each stop or participating only in their local activity, a small group of protesters was running between each stage.
Police are continuing to monitor movements connected with the hīkoi, ensuring it remains peaceful and safe, major operations director Superintendent Kelly Ryan said.
Police have received a handful of traffic complaints, largely around delays to motorists’ travels, Ryan said.
The hīkoi will reach Wellington on November 19, joining a hīkoi from the South Island.
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.
