‘Peaceful solidarity’ by hīkoi participants

A sense of hope and solidarity was expressed by the top-of-the-south residents who attended Wellington’s sprawling Hīkoi mō te Tiriti (March for the Treaty of Waitangi).

An estimated 42,000 people converged on parliament last Tuesday to protest the ACT party’s controversial Treaty Principles Bill.

The bill endeavours to redefine the principles of Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding document Te Tiriti O Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi), and its critics say it could impose ramifications on the partnership between the Crown and Māori.

The bill was first pledged in November 2023, following the coalition agreement between the National Party, ACT and New Zealand First.

It was introduced to Parliament on 7 November, and passed its first reading on 14 November, before being referred for a six-month select committee process. Public submissions close on Tuesday, 7 January 2025.

Motueka’s Anna and Ernie Li were among the group to travel to Wellington for the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti (March for the Treaty of Waitangi).

Anna says that as tangata Tiriti [non-Māori who support the Treaty of Waitangi], their whānau “decided to head over to support an amazing kaupapa that brings us closer together and protects us all”.

She says that the hīkoi’s vibe was positive, caring and inclusive.

“People from all walks of life and cultures came together in peaceful solidarity.”

Motueka’s Melissa Linton passionately believes that what is good for Māori is good for all and says the hīkoi was about hope.

She boarded a 4am bus out of Nelson, travelling to Picton with others from her iwi of Ngāti Kuia, as well as Ngāti Tama and Ngāti Koata.

She says that they were on the ferry with a “bunch of beautiful Motueka whānau”.

She attended the hīkoi for the sake of her tīpuna (ancestors), her tamariki (children), and her Koro who passed away during lockdown.

“We need to remember what our tīpuna went through and how far we’ve clawed back,” she says. “If this bill passes, it could take us right back and have a devastating impact on the futures of our tamariki.”

She is grateful that the coalition could not make the hīkoi “about them”.

“This hikoi was about us, the people of Aotearoa - tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti - coming together for a united future. One that acknowledges the agreement our ancestors made, even if we’re not there yet, agreeing on exactly what that looks like!”

She says that everyone put their difficulties aside and stood together.

“The beautifully naive, the lived experience, Kaumatua, pēpi, all ethnicities, all ages, all gang patches, all people. It was full of hope and happiness and togetherness.”