Call for peaceful protest as hikoi nears Parliament

By RENEE KIRIONA and RUTH BERRY

Hikoi organisers have called on marchers protesting against the foreshore and seabed legislation to maintain their non-violent approach when they arrive at the steps of Parliament today.

The plea comes amid growing anger among the group at Prime Minister Helen Clark's comment two days ago that many of them were "haters and wreckers" and that she would not be there to meet them.

Maori rights activist Ken Mair, one of the hikoi organisers, said all marchers were encouraged to uphold the "passive spirit" that had followed the hikoi since it began at the top of the North Island more than two weeks ago.

"No one on this hikoi has caused any trouble and why would we want it to be any other way?"

National police cultural issues adviser Wally Haumaha, who with five officers has accompanied the hikoi from the start, said it had been well disciplined.

"We've received nothing but goodwill and co-operation from the marchers and the organisers."

Rebel Labour MP Nanaia Mahuta, criticising Helen Clark's attacks on the hikoi, said: "The bill clearly goes too far, and that is a view held by a wide group of Maori, not just radicals, and that should be of concern.

"Nobody seemed to complain when people drove tractors down [to Parliament] to protest. Yet everybody seems to have a view on whether people walk or drove on the hikoi."

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia said the Government would not pull back on the legislation.

Some of the hikoi marchers were well intentioned, he said, but others were misleading people about the foreshore to build momentum for a new political movement. Mr Horomia and Labour's other Maori MPs are expected to greet the hikoi.

Williams Matthew, an elderly man from the Far North, said he would say a karakia [prayer] to ensure all went well today.

"I'll be praying that Helen Clark does show up. I've always viewed her as a person who builds bridges and I hope she doesn't decide to burn this one."

Earlier yesterday, Speaker Jonathan Hunt reacted angrily to suggestions by hikoi organiser Hone Harawira that he had refused to provide seats and marquees on Parliament's forecourt for kaumatua.

"I never made that decision at all," Mr Hunt said. "Of course chairs will be provided for elderly people. They always have been."

Detective Inspector Rod Drew, acting Wellington district commander and officer in charge of Operation Hikoi, said there would be traffic delays in the central business district but called for "cool heads".

Mr Drew expects about 5000 marchers, but the hikoi organisers predict at least 10,000.

The launch of a new Maori political party is expected to coincide with the march on Parliament.

Today's schedule

* Marchers are expected to start gathering at Chaffers Park, near Te Papa, at 10.30am then at noon they are scheduled to arrive at Parliament, assembling behind barriers on the grass.

* More than 200 police from Wellington and the central and eastern districts have been called to assist with the largest operation seen in the capital for some time.

* Northerly winds of up to 120km/h are forecast in the capital.