Protest tradition lives on at park

By AINSLEY THOMSON




Sandwiched between the Whanganui River and the town courthouse is a small piece of land with a large reputation - Moutoa Gardens.

In 1995 the Wanganui park was the scene of a Maori occupation which lasted for 79 days and escalated racial tensions.

Yesterday, Maori again converged on Moutoa Gardens, but this time the gathering was for a peaceful event.

Just before dusk, the park known to many Maori as Pakaitore was the meeting point for the main hikoi from the north, now numbering about 1000 protesters, and another hikoi from Taranaki.

Simultaneously, canoes landed at the spot where, in Maori tradition, the ancestors of local iwi first arrived.

Around 4000 people converged on the park for the powhiri to welcome the hikoi and to discuss the rest of the journey to Parliament.

Accommodation on local marae was found for about 2500 out-of-town people. Among them was Moea Armstrong, who joined the hikoi in Whangarei. She was one of two Pakeha permanently on the march.

"I know I'm the token Pakeha, but I tell people I'm not marching for Maori, I'm marching for the mana of Pakeha."

Ms Armstrong is travelling with her two young sons who are part-Maori, and encouraged other Pakeha to join.

"The best thing for me is seeing the look of hope and joy on people's faces when we go by."

NUMBERS SWELL

Hikoi travels to Ratana Pa today, before moving on to Otaki.

At Parliament on Wednesday, marchers from the south and east will join the combined northern and western hikoi.