Peaceful hikoi planned in response to government policy

“Bring your messages, flags and voices.”

That’s the call from the community organizer of the Tairāwhiti hīkoi, which will take place tomorrow at 7 a.m. at Heipipi Endeavor Park as part of a nationwide activation called for by Te Pāti Māori in response to government actions perceived as anti-Māori.

This will be the second of these events. The first hīkoi took place in early December in response to the government’s plans to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi and disband kaupapa Māori initiatives such as Te Aka Whai Ora – the Māori Health Authority.

Participants in the recent march said Māori would not stand idly by and allow the government to remove the kaupapa Māori policy introduced by previous governments to honor their Treaty partnership with Māori.

“We march not only for ourselves, but also for our mokopuna, ensuring that the legacy of our ancestors continues to guide and empower future generations. “It is our duty, our responsibility and our unwavering commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi,” they said.

About 300 people crossed three city bridges.

Regional co-ordinator Haley Maxwell told the Gisborne Herald today she wasn’t sure how many people would show up tomorrow morning, but as there was more time to prepare and spread the message she was hopeful more would show up.

She said it would be a quiet hīkoi that would include haka, songs, singing, and kaikōrero (speakers) talking about problems.

“This is to coincide with the announcement of the government’s budget. The budget announcement will impact a large part of our community, whānau, hapū, iwi, tangata Tiriti, tangata Pasifika,” Maxwell said.

“They are attacking our rights as tangataWhenua. They want to tear down what has already been built since Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed. We have struggled enough and we want to say “enough.”

She hoped that others who felt the same and “felt the same fire within themselves” would come to the hīkoi.