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Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi addresses the crowd at parliament (Photo: Joel MacManus)
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi addresses the crowd at parliament (Photo: Joel MacManus)

ĀteaNovember 19, 2024

Live updates: Hīkoi concludes as attention shifts to inside parliament

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi addresses the crowd at parliament (Photo: Joel MacManus)
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi addresses the crowd at parliament (Photo: Joel MacManus)

Tens of thousands have gathered in Te Upoko-o-te-ika-a-Māui today, as the nationwide Toitū Te Tiriti hīkoi arrives at parliament. Follow this blog for up-to-date coverage and reaction.

Nov 19 2024

Crowd beginning to disperse

There is still a large crowd out the front of parliament but many have began making their way back to Waitangi Park for a free concert and final karakia to end the hīkoi. On that note, we’re going to wrap-up the livestream now. Ngā mihi and many thanks for joining our live blog coverage of the hīkoi today. Be sure to check out our analysis of the best signs from today’s hīkoi here.

The day in pictures

A historic day, in pictures.

An aerial image of the crowd gathered at parliament for the presentation of the petition against the Treaty Principles Bill to parliament. (Picture: supplied).
The crowd gathered at Waitangi Park from Matairanga Mt Victoria (Photo: Hugh Chesterman)
There were a number of creative signs at the hīkoi. (Picture: Joel MacManus).
The crowd at parliament (Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
The hīkoi arrives at parliament. (Picture: Joel MacManus)
Thousands march through Wellington city (Photo: Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Any way to get the point across. (Photo: Joel MacManus)
A view of the front of the hīkoi from the steps of parliament. (Image: Joel MacManus)
A large crowd of people is gathered in a street protest. Many are holding flags and signs. Several participants wear hats, and the background shows buildings and a partially cloudy sky.
The crowd marches through the Wellington CBD. (Picture: Joel MacManus)
A group of people gathers outdoors, holding a large flag with red, white, and blue sections. Many are wearing blue and yellow sports jerseys, and others wave smaller red, white, and black flags. Trees and hills are visible in the background.
The largest whakaputanga flag we’ve ever seen. (Photo: Joel MacManus).
A person stands smiling in an open area holding a flag with a red cross on a white field and a blue canton with white stars. Several people are in the background, with a modern building and parked vans visible.
Mitai Paraone-Kawiti (Ngā Puhi) with a flag he says was flown at Waitangi in 1840 by his ancestor Te Ruki Kawiti. (Picture: Joel MacManus)
Two mannequins in a store display. One holds a sign with "TOITU TE TIRITI" in bold letters. The store is filled with clothing, and there's a New Zealand flag visible outside the window. Reflections of passersby are seen on the glass.
The mannequins at R.M. Williams. They did not want to comment. (Picture: Joel MacManus).
A large group of people in traditional attire march down a street, holding flags and wooden poles. They are participating in a cultural demonstration, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
One of the ope taua that led the hīkoi through Wellington. (Picture: Joel MacManus)
A group of people marches down a city street carrying flags and wooden staffs. One person in the centre sticks out their tongue. Buildings and signs are visible in the background. The group appears to be participating in a protest or demonstration.
The hīkoi making its way through the Wellington CBD towards parliament. (Picture: Joel MacManus)

Question time begins in parliament

Politicians have gathered inside the house for question time. Meanwhile, thousands remain gathered outside watching singer Stan Walker perform. There was no sign yet of Te Pāti Māori inside the debating chambers. The speaker Gerry Brownlee confirmed receiving letters from New Zealand First Minister Shane Jones, ACT MP Todd Stephenson, and National MP Suze Redmayne regarding the haka performed in the debating chamber by opposition MPs last week.

Jones has also raised the question of whether parliament’s standing orders (rules) should be reviewed in light of the incident, a matter he addressed separately in the House.

Brownlee stated that the appropriate forum for this discussion is the standing orders committee, which is set to convene soon.

As per parliamentary procedure, the MPs mentioned in the letters will have the opportunity to respond before the Speaker decides whether to refer the issue to the Privileges Committee.

Meanwhile, the prime minister said he was not invited to speak to the hīkoi but his message would have remained the same – that the Treaty Principles Bill would not be passing the second reading. David Seymour was encouraging people to make a submission to the Justice select committee on the Bill, before they close on January 7, 2025.

Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke ends speeches

“I may have been suspended for 24 hours and not let in the gates to the debating chambers, but the next day I showed up outside on the steps with 100,000 of my people,” Maipi-Clarke told the crowd. 

Referring to the Treaty Principles Bill, Maipi-Clarke said “this march was never about the Bill, I ripped that in half and chucked it away.”

“The treaty unites us, all ages and all races.”

She also made reference to her great-aunt Hana Te Hemara, who delivered the Māori language petition to parliament some 49 years ago.

“If every single Māori person registered on the Māori roll, we would have 20 automatic Māori seats in the parliament.”

Her speech was followed by a rousing haka about te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Some of the crowd outside of parliament earlier in the day. (Photo: Joel MacManus).

Petition presented to parliament

The petition against the Treaty Principles Bill has been presented parliament, including 203,653 signatures. Online, it has now amassed over 220,000 signatures, only 26,000 less signatures than votes received by Act at the last election. The petition was presented by tohunga reo me tikanga Māori Mataia Keepa. Eru Kapa-Kingi then blessed it with another karakia, before it was handed over to Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke and then Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi.

Maipi-Clarke now has the microphone.

Speeches drawing to an end

Green Party MP Tamatha Paul has just finished speaking. Labour MP Peeni Henare addressed the crowd near the beginning of the speeches.

“We told them – do not to tutū with our tiriti,” Paul told the crowd.

Musician Atareta Milne, daughter of Māori media personality Chey Milne and businesswoman Kahurangi Milne, followed Paul. She also encouraged those present to enrol to vote and join the Māori roll.

The petition is about to be presented to parliament.

Māori journalists being targeted

Kawea Te Rongo, the independent Māori Journalists Association has put out a statement saying Māori journalists and media outlets are being “unfairly targeted” by political parties around their coverage of the hīkoi. “We are also seeing an alarming increase of targeted online rhetoric of the same nature towards our sector.”

 

Hīkoi reaches into House of Representatives

The Treaty Principles Bill has already had its first reading and the speaker has declared the public gallery closed, but the mood of the Toitū te Tiriti hīkoi, now gathered on and beyond parliament grounds, will nevertheless make its way into the House of Representatives when business kicks off for the day with question time at 2pm. The themes of the hīkoi inform all of the questions to ministers from the opposition benches.

The Greens’ Tamatha Paul is first up, opening her questioning of the prime minister by asking if he stands by his government’s statement and actions, but doing so in reo: “E tautoko ana ia i ngā kōrero me ngā mahi katoa a tōna Kāwanatanga?” Her caucus colleage Lawrence Xu-Nan will ask the same of the education minister, Erica Stanford, later in the piece. Labour’s Barbara Edmonds will ask Nicola Willis, her counterpart in the finance portfolio: “Does she stand by her statement, ‘We know that to be successful in driving growth we need you and your colleagues in the business community on board’; if so, is the business community on board with the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill?”

Questions from Ginny Andersen and Willow-Jean Prime, both Labour MPs, relate to treaty obligations, while Peeni Henare will grill Tama Potaka on the Māori-Crown relationship. Chris Hipkins is typically top of the question list, but today he’s 12th and last. His question of Christopher Luxon is the boilerplate stand-by-statements number, but it doesn’t take an oracle to guess the subject pursued by the Labour leader, who is currently joining a bit of synchronised clapping outside parliament, will be related to the Treaty Principles Bill.

Te Pāti Māori takes the stage

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi is speaking to the crowd, thanking them for showing up.

“We are the sovereign and Aoteraoa is our kingdom. We must protect it,” Waititi told the crowd.

Waititi says he told David Seymour not to come to the hīkoi: “He doesn’t have the mana to be here.”

However, Seymour did emerge briefly, with RNZ reporting he had at least four uniformed police officers and three diplomatic protection officers with him.

“We are inspiring indigenous people all over the world to rise up,” Waititi told the crowd.

Seymour fronts the hīkoi

David Seymour briefly emerged from the Beehive to face the hīkoi, along with other Act MPs, at least four uniformed police officers and three diplomatic protection officers. The group was loudly booed.

The Act leader and architect of the Treaty Principles Bill spoke with media yesterday, criticising those taking part in the hīkoi, its organisers, Te Pāti Māori, Green MP Julie-Ann Genter, former prime minister Jenny Shipley, and even prime minister Chris Luxon.

Referring to the haka performed by Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke last week, Seymour said “it’s plain for people to see that you’ve got someone getting up making an argument for how we can have a better New Zealand and a group of people who jump try and get in their face and do a war dance…if you have to do a haka to get your point across, maybe you don’t have a good argument”.

On the need for a debate around te Tiriti, Seymour said “it may ultimately turn out that New Zealand is not in a good enough place to have this conversation, but sooner or later, we’ll have to choose, does our treaty divide us into two collectives based on ancestry or give us universal rights?”

Eru Kapa-Kingi encourages crowd to enrol on Māori roll

Toitū Te Tiriti spokesperson Eru Kapa-Kingi has addressed the crowd.

“Pākehā mā, you should not fear Māori liberation, for Māori liberation leads to the liberation of all of Aotearoa,” Kapa-Kingi said.

“The change generation is here.”

Kapa-Kingi, whose mother Mariameno Kapa-Kingi is an MP for Te Pāti Māori, encouraged the crowd to speak with people present, helping people to enrol to vote.

“Get on the Māori roll, right now!”

Kapa-Kingi was ninth on the list for Te Pāti Māori at the previous election.

A delegation representing Palestine was now speaking.

Speeches underway as people continue to arrive

Speeches are underway at parliament. Stan Walker has just finished performing. Before him, Ngātiwai leader Aperahama Edwards spoke to the crowd. Ngāti Toa Rangatira chief executive Helmut Modlik is now speaking. Last night, he told The Hui that he would welcome an invitation from the Kīngitanga to host a discussion around the establishment of a “whare rangatiratanga”, similar to a Māori parliament.

“Unity is the key to unlock the power of tino rangatiratanga..where this is no unity, there can be no rangatiratanga” Modlik told the crowd.

He encouraged people to focus on themselves and how they could empower tino rangatiratanga after they returned home.

How the world is reacting to the hīkoi

Social media is flooded with coverage and reaction to the hīkoi.

International media are also covering the hīkoi:

The BBC is running a live blog of the hīkoi.

The Guardian is also covering the story, as is Al Jazeera, Reuters, AP, and The Australian.

Bringing our loved ones with us on the hīkoi

Krystal is carrying a photo of her grandfather Mane Neho, who attended the Māori land march in 1975, and many other protests since. He recently passed away.

“He marched his whole life and I’m taking him on the last leg,” Krystal says.

Kristyl Neho, Emerald Neho and Numia Sanerivi. (Photo: Joel MacManus).

Hīkoi arrives at parliament

The hīkoi has reached parliament, led by an ope taua from Te Upoko-o-te-ika-a-Māui. There were several kuia who followed the ope taua, clutching at photos of past leaders, activists, and loved ones, including Whina Cooper. Karanga, waerea, haka, and chants are ringing out as the group arrives. Kuini Ngawai hono i te po is also part of the lead procession.

Police estimate there were 4000 people present at parliament prior to the arrival of the hīkoi. The crowd stretches from parliament to Te Aro Park.

A large crowd gathers for a protest near a distinctive, round building under a partly cloudy sky. People hold flags and banners. Some flags are red and white, and others have different designs. Trees line the street.
The hīkoi arrives at parliament. (Photo: Claire Mabey)

Kīngitanga calls for non-political group to progress the kaupapa

The recently crowned Māori monarch, Kuīni Ngawai hono i te po has arrived at parliament, flanked by former MP and veteran activist Hone Harawira, Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, and mātanga reo me tikanga Māori Māori Paraone Gloyne. It is only the second major public appearance the kuīni has made since she ascended to the throne earlier this year.

Speaking to Te Ao Māori News, Ngira Simmonds, chief of staff for the Kīngitanga, referred to the last koroneihana celebrations for Kīngi Tūheitia, where he called for a non-political group to be formed to lead the discussion moving forward.

“Take it away from the politicians and put it in the hands of the people – that remains our firm hope moving forward,” Simmonds said.

Tama Potaka, Shane Reti and Louise Upston to meet hīkoi

The National caucus has now chosen which ministers will meet with the hīkoi: health minister Shane Reti, minister for Māori development Tama Potaka and minister for social development Louise Upston.

On Monday night, a spokesperson for Christopher Luxon said “a small delegation of National MPs will be available to meet the hīkoi tomorrow. The prime minister is still considering options to engage.”

Potaka met an early contingent gathered at parliament this morning, and has emphasised that National won’t vote for the Treaty Principles Bill at its second reading.

“We have heard the voice of the hīkoi,” said Potaka in a social media post. “Our tūpuna fought for equal citizenship and equality of opportunity, the Treaty Principles Bill does not help us deliver these outcomes. The National Party will vote down the Treaty Principles Bill at its second reading.

David Seymour has said he is in “two minds” about whether or not to engage with the hīkoi.

Tory Whanau among the marchers

Wellington mayor Tory Whanau is among the thousands marching to parliament. “I’m proudly welcoming all our visitors to Wellington,” she told The Spinoff at Te Aro Park. “This is a true display of unity and everyone coming together. It’s clear a strong majority oppose the bill and I hope the government will listen.”

Tory Whanau at Te Aro Park (Photo: Joel MacManus)

Chris Hipkins confirms Labour will greet hīkoi leaders

Labour leader Chris Hipkins confirmed he would be meeting the leaders of the hīkoi upon their arrival to parliament, alongside a group of MPs from Labour, the Greens, and Te Pāti Māori. Labour MP Peeni Henare is expected to address the crowd later in the day, as one of several scheduled speakers.

“It’s a moment of unity…we have heard the message,” Hipkins told Te Ao Māori News.

The hīkoi, which had split into two groups, has joined together again outside the Supreme Court on Lambton Quay.

Parliament grounds are full

Thousands of people have gathered at parliament ahead of the main hīkoi. Kiri Waititi, Toitū Te Tiriti organiser and wife of Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, addressed the crowd in anticipation of the arrival of the hīkoi. The group, including Te Pāti Māori MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, is singing waiata as they wait. Meanwhile, fellow party member Tākuta Ferris is marching amongst the crowd, leading chants. The crowd is gathering pace and becoming louder as they approach parliament.

Probably the largest version of Te Kara we’ve ever seen. (Photo: Joel MacManus)

Half way to parliament

Joel MacManus in Wellington reports that the tail end of the hīkoi has left Waitangi Park.

The tail end of the hīkoi on Cable St (Photo: Joel MacManus)

The front of the pack is now on Willis Street approaching Lambton Quay, meaning the crowd is covering around 1.6km – they’re about half way.

Submissions open on Treaty Principles Bill

Submissions have opened on the Treaty Principles Bill, which is now at select committee stage having passed its first reading in parliament last week.

“The committee intends to make further decisions about the submissions process and will communicate these publicly when they are agreed,” said a Justice Committee press release. “For example, the committee intends to consider and resolve criteria for submissions that will not be accepted in terms of offensive language. The committee is conscious that the bill is controversial, and intends to facilitate a measured debate.”

Submissions close on January 7, 2025. and the committee intends to complete hearings by the end of February.

Hīkoi passes Cuba St

Thousands remain at Waitangi Park, despite thousands having already left. The hīkoi has passed the corner of Cuba St, as it travels down Manners St towards parliament. The Wellington CBD has been completely overtaken by the tens of thousands joining together in waiata. Extra police have been deployed in the city centre, as well as additional security around parliament. Earlier in the week, Wellington Girls’ College students were told to stay home and some university exams scheduled for today were shifted to be held online.

Horses have been a prominent feature in the hīkoi so far, particularly in the rural centres.

Police estimate 15,000+ at Waitangi Park, 2,000+ at parliament

Police say more than 15,000 people joined the hīkoi at Waitangi Park this morning, with more than 2,000 waiting at parliament for the larger contingent to arrive.

Police have reported no major issues. “Traffic management plans are in place through the city to ensure a safe arrival and limit traffic disruption through the Golden Mile.”

The hīkoi from Matairangi Mt Victoria (Photo: Hugh Chesterman)

Bill has passed its first reading

Last week, the Treaty Principles Bill had its first reading in parliament. The hīkoi was originally planned to coincide with the first reading but it was brought forward. During the vote on whether the bill should proceed to the select committee stage, Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke began a now viral haka, in protest of the bill.

According to Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, NZ First MP Shane Jones has lodged a complaint against her and fellow co-leader Rawiri Waititi over the haka, despite not being present in the house for it. Jones is allegedly requesting the matter be sent to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee for review, particularly around seats in the public gallery being reserved by Te Pāti Māori for people who joined in with the haka, such as hīkoi organiser Hōhepa ‘Hori’ Thompson.

 

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The hīkoi is on the move

The hīkoi is now making its way from Waitangi Park towards parliament.

There are a sea of flags in the crowd and just enough breeze to make them fly gloriously. Mostly tino rangatiratanga flags, some United Tribes, some for Te Pāti Māori, individual iwi and some other Pacific nations.

Before the crowd started moving, a speaker on stage gave a shoutout to Pākehā and tauiwi: “We’ve got some Pākehā for the Treaty over there. We love you fullas. If it wasn’t for youse we wouldn’t have fish and chips, he said. “Mihi to our Chinese whānau for running all the shops so we can buy all these flags.”

“We are here today to celebrate the mana of this country that we live in. Because our mana is their mana, they just don’t know it yet.”

The final song before the crowd started moving was ‘Aotearoa’. The crowd was really into it. Lots of heads bobbing, and a kid behind me was jumping around.

“Today we take seven generations from the past and we do this for seven generations into the future.”

Photo: Joel MacManus

Petition surpasses 200,000 signatures

Over 206,198 people have signed a petition opposing the Treaty Principles Bill. The petition, created by Maringi Jones, will be presented to parliament this afternoon. The petition website says “for Māori, this bill represents a direct assault on our rights, our culture, and our identity”.

Movement gains international support

Over the last week, activations have taken place around the world, including in the United States, England, Australia, Hawai’i, and more. Around the world, celebrities such as Jason Momoa and Erykah Badu have shown their support for the kaupapa.

In London, a crowd gathered outside New Zealand House, and in New York a number of New Zealanders marched to Times Square waving tino rangatiratanga flags.

Thousands arrive at Waitangi Park and parliament

Some of the crowd gathered at Parliament in Wellington. (Photo: Joel MacManus)

A large group is gathering at Waitangi Park in central Wellington, ahead of the march to parliament. There are also large groups of people already at parliament. The crowd at Waitangi Park is spilling into nearby streets and car parks.

There have been several live performances at Waitangi Park this morning, including from prominent musicians such as Che Fu and Stan Walker.

A large ope taua from Te-Whanganui-a-Tara and beyond is currently travelling down Oriental Parade, with the main members of the hīkoi behind them, singing waiata and chanting. They are heading towards Waitangi Park.

Tama Potaka and Shane Jones reaffirm their party positions

Speaking to Te Ao Māori News this morning, Tama Potaka, the minister for Māori development and Māori-Crown relations: Te Arawhiti, reiterated that National was against the Treaty Principles Bill and would be voting against it at the second reading. Potaka was also seen moving amongst the crowd at parliament, speaking with those in attendance.

Earlier in the day, Shane Jones spoke to Dale Husband on Waatea News, labelling the hīkoi a vote gathering exercise by Te Pāti Māori and the Green Party. However, he also acknowledged that despite the bill being highly unlikely to pass, many Māori still had fears about what the future held. Jones expected those organising the hīkoi would continue their efforts beyond today, particularly at Waitangi and during the select committee process for the bill.

Latest hīkoi just one of several recent activations

a young girl sits on an adult's shoulders, holding a tino rangatiratanga flag in each hand
A child attends the budget day protest in Wellington (Photo: Alice Soper)

There have been several nationwide protests and demonstrations, or “activations”, as the group calls them, since the coalition government took office in late November 2023. The first nationwide day of protest took place in December last year, followed by  another nationwide protest on May 30, including a march to parliament, to coincide with the release of the coalition government’s first budget.

Hīkoi is about more than the Treaty Principles Bill

While the Treaty Principles Bill – which was introduced to parliament last week – may have been the catalyst for the hīkoi, Toitū Te Tiriti spokesperson Eru Kapa-Kingi told The Spinoff it was about more than the bill: “This is about tino rangatiratanga – claiming our place as tangata whenua and ensuring our mokopuna inherit that mana. Our tūpuna never gave up their mana, and now it’s our turn to stand in it.”

What to expect

Today’s activities began at around 6am with a convoy from Takapūwāhia Marae in Porirua to Waitangi Park in central Wellington. Most media outlets are estimating between 15,000 to 30,000 people will join the march to parliament, while some have predicted a turn out of up to 50,000 people is possible.

The group, featuring Kuini Ngawai hono i te po, is expected to arrive at parliament by midday. They will likely be met by members of Te Pāti Māori, Labour, and the Green Party. Speeches are expected to take place, plus the presentation of a petition against the Treaty Principles Bill, which had amassed 198,868 signatures at the time of writing. At 4pm, a concert will take place at Waitangi Park, followed by a karakia and farewell.

The Spinoff understands Act Party leader David Seymour has requested to speak to representatives from the Toitū Te Tiriti hīkoi. It is unclear if this was a formal request and if any response was provided to him. Yesterday, Ngawera-Packer told media Seymour “had his time to speak on Thursday”,  referring to the first reading of the bill. This sentiment was shared by hīkoi  organiser Nyree Manuel on The Hui last night, who told Julian Wilcox “we already know what he has to say, he doesn’t have anything to say that we haven’t already heard”.

From Te Rerenga Wairua to parliament: Historic hīkoi mō te tiriti nears its climax

A large group of people gather outdoors, holding flags and a banner that reads "TOITU TE TIRITI ME TE WHAKAPUTANGA." Some individuals wear high-visibility vests. The setting is foggy, creating a muted background.
The Toitū Te Tiriti hīkoi began at Rerenga Wairua on November 11, 2024. (Image: Supplied)

Eight days ago, a group set off on the Toitū Te Tiriti hīkoi from Te Rerenga Wairua to parliament, just 31km away from where Whina Cooper (Te Rārawa) led the famed land march 49 years earlier. A dawn karakia marked the beginning of the hīkoi, which would go on to cover more than 1800km across Te-Ika-a-Māui.

Meanwhile, a separate group was gathering at Motu-pōhure in Te Wai Pounamu. That group joined together with the North Island rōpu last night in Porirua in anticipation of today’s march to parliament.

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Two men are in conversation, one with a facial tattoo wearing a t-shirt and the other wearing glasses and a jacket. The background is a watercolor mix of green and white. Both appear engaged and smiling.
Eru Kapa-Kingi and Hone Harawira (Design: Liam Rātana)

ĀteaNovember 18, 2024

Ka tuku te rākau: Handing over the baton of protest to a new generation

Two men are in conversation, one with a facial tattoo wearing a t-shirt and the other wearing glasses and a jacket. The background is a watercolor mix of green and white. Both appear engaged and smiling.
Eru Kapa-Kingi and Hone Harawira (Design: Liam Rātana)

As tens of thousands show their support for the hīkoi to parliament, the organisers are busy behind the scenes ensuring things run smoothly. For many, this is their first time leading a kaupapa of this scale – and it hasn’t all been easy.

On August 31, an extraordinary hui was held at Waipapa Marae at the University of Auckland. “The originals” – a group of long-time Māori activists including Hone Harawira (Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Hine, Te Aupōuri, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua), Annette Sykes (Ngāti Pikiao and Ngāti Makino), Ken Mair (Ngāti Tūpoho), and Mereana Pitman (Ngāti Kahungunu) – called the hui to respond to what they described as the “blitzkrieg that all Māori are facing”, referring to a wave of anti-Māori policy and legislation being introduced by the coalition government.

Significant hui throughout the history of Māori activism have taken place at the University of Auckland. In 1939, the Young Māori Leaders’ Conference brought together luminaries such as Pei Te Hurinui Jones (Ngāti Maniapoto), Michael Rotohiko Jones (Ngāti Maniapoto), and Manuhuia Bennett (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Pikiao and Ngāti Rangitihi). Decades later, in 1970, a pivotal hui sparked the creation of Ngā Tamatoa, the collective that would play a crucial role in the “Māori renaissance” – a period of powerful advocacy for Māori sovereignty that included the Māori land march, the language petition, the haka party protest, and landmark occupations like those at Whāingaroa and Takaparawhau. Members of Ngā Tamatoa, including figures like Harawira, Donna Awatere Huata, Hana Te Hemara and Tame Iti, became icons of this movement, igniting a legacy that continued into the 2000s.

Over the last few years, a new generation of Māori leaders has emerged, many of whom are descendants of those earlier activists. Despite this, there hadn’t been a unifying platform until Toitū Te Tiriti appeared on social media in December 2023, the same day a national “day of action” was held against what many considered anti-Māori policies. Toitū Te Tiriti quickly mobilised and amassed a sizable following, bringing the new generation together under one kaupapa.

On the heels of the August 31 hui, Toitū Te Tiriti posted that “the originals” had asked the new group  to lead the kaupapa. “Toitū and the OGs stand together, united under one banner. We are determined to work together as one, recognising the importance of our shared purpose and commitment to our people,” read the post, signalling the official passing of the rākau to the next generation.

From that point on, the Toitū movement surged forward. Leading the charge was Eru Kapa-Kingi (Te Aupōuri, Ngāpuhi), supported by a team including Kiri Tamihere-Waititi (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Te Whakatōhea), Hōhepa ‘Hori’ Thompson (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Kai Tahu), Anahera Tupara (Taranaki, Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Maniapoto), Te Rawhitiroa Bosch (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa), Nyree Manuel (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahi ki Whangaroa, Te Arawa), and Wairere Iti (Tūhoe, Waikato, Te Arawa). These young Māori are educated, driven and raised in kaupapa Māori; they know how to mobilise swiftly, use social media effectively, and amplify their voices through an extensive network.

The Toitū te Tiriti hīkoi in Auckland (Photo: Lyric Waiwiri-Smith)

In an interview with The Spinoff, Kapa-Kingi reflected on the immense responsibility. “It’s been a huge learning journey. It’s definitely tough, because there is so much mahi,” he shared.

As we sat by a shed at Ihumātao, where the hīkoi had stopped en route through Tāmaki Makaurau, Kapa-Kingi reflected on the challenges and support he’d received. “This role was handed to us by Uncle [Hone Harawira]. He asked me to step up because he didn’t have the time or energy for this kaupapa. When it landed in our hands, it felt overwhelming.”

Kapa-Kingi admitted that delegating had been key. “We’ve got a team of six. We’ve split the mahi into areas, so each person has their focus. That teamwork makes a big difference. People might think it’s all on me because I’m the kaikōrero, but that’s not true at all.”

‘He mea tautoko nā ngā mema atawhai. Supported by our generous members.’
Liam Rātana
— Ātea editor

The bridge crossing in Auckland, he said, was one of the biggest logistical hurdles. “Today, according to drone footage, we had around 50,000 people. That’s 50,000 lives to be responsible for, which brings a lot of stress,” he admitted. “Logistically, it was intense, but having the experience and wisdom of people like Uncle Rueben there helped us pull it off.”

He’s talking about Rueben Taipari, another “OG” who has long been an activist in Te Tai Tokerau. Reflecting on lessons from his elders, Kapa-Kingi acknowledged the importance of building relationships with entities like the police and council. “Uncle Rueben taught us to start on the right foot with these relationships. It makes everything run more smoothly,” he explained. While social media is vital, he also recognises the need for traditional outreach. “Not everyone is on social media – our aunties and uncles still listen to the radio. If we truly want to include everyone, we’ve got to use all forms of media.”

The next phases of the hīkoi are expected to bring even larger numbers, and the team plans to debrief and keep refining their approach. For Kapa-Kingi, the kaupapa goes far beyond the Treaty Principles Bill that may have been a catalyst. “This is about tino rangatiratanga – claiming our place as tangata whenua and ensuring our mokopuna inherit that mana. Our tūpuna never gave up their mana, and now it’s our turn to stand in it.”

Kapa-Kingi extended an open invitation to those considering joining the hīkoi, which is passing through Porirua today before arriving in Wellington City tomorrow: “This kaupapa is for everyone, Māori and tauiwi alike. Whether it’s joining us in person, flying a flag on your street, or showing support in your own way, every gesture matters. It’s about standing with mana, wherever you are.”

This is Public Interest Journalism Funded by NZ On Air.

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