At midday on Tuesday November 19th, over one hundred people from Mercury Bay and surrounds gathered at Taylors Mistake in Whitianga Town Centre in solidarity with Hikoi mō te Tiriti, as it arrived at Paremata (Parliament).
The nationwide hīkoi was protesting the divisive Treaty Principles Bill, which was introduced to Parliament last Thursday.
The gathering was organised by locals Anusha Bhana, Fiona Gates and Augusta Macassey Picard, who agreed that an activation in Whitianga was necessary to bring people together in kotahitanga (unity), especially those unable to make the trip to Pōneke.
In the ten minutes before midday, Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti of all ages made their way to Taylors Mistake from all corners of the town, flying Tino Rangatiratanga and He Whakaputanga flags, some wearing piupiu (flax skirt), some harakeke pōtae (hat) and others carrying handmade signs. At midday a pūtātara (conch shell trumpet) rang out and Whaea Bess Kingi gave an emotional karakia, followed by a short impassioned speech from organiser Anusha, who highlighted the importance of carving out and growing a space for Te Aō Māori and Te Tiriti in this community. Finally, Ngāti Hei Kaumatua Joe Davis addressed the crowd, expressing his appreciation for those gathered, and his hopes for a Te Tiriti-based future.
From there the group peacefully marched down to Soldiers Memorial park, gathering in a large circle under the trees to listen to Whaea Bess sing waiata with her ukelele, and a few people shared their whakaaro (thoughts) including local activist Anna Horne, who commended everyone for gathering, acknowledging that “we are in a difficult place to have this conversation” and that “the best thing is to know we’re not alone”.
Everyone was encouraged to make connections with people they didn’t already know and most stayed to picnic in the sun, with reo Māori music blasting, kids playing and people enjoying each other’s company. A large swarm of bees even joined the festivities, buzzing in a large cloud above the crowd – symbolic of the Beehive perhaps?!
The feedback was fantastic! People really appreciated having a space to be a part of the Hīkoi event, as well as showing the wider community the strength and mana in ToiTū Te Tiriti.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti left Cape Reinga on 10th November, making its way south to Pōneke with multiple activations along the way. Up to 100,000 people were met at Paremata by Te Pati Māori, Greens and Labour, all opposed to the Bill. A petition against the Treaty Principles Bill with over 200,000 signatures was handed over to Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke (MP for Tainui/Waikato), by ActionStation.
The Bill attempts to erase tino rangatiratanga (Māori rights and authority) from how the government and courts interpret law. The government has deliberately not included their treaty partner in any consultation for this Bill. If this Bill goes ahead, it could destroy the enduring agreement between Māori and the Crown, and unsettle our nation’s very foundation. Te Tiriti o Waitangi was never just about Māori. It invites non-Māori to belong here, while recognising that Māori never ceded their sovereignty. Te Tiriti is a blueprint for a peaceful, just future, where we can ALL thrive. Together we can live into the promise that many of our ancestors imagined for us when they signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The Waitangi Tribunal has said that if the Bill was enacted, it would “reduce the constitutional status of the Treaty/te Tiriti, remove its effect in law as currently recognised in Treaty clauses, limit Māori rights and Crown obligations, hinder Māori access to justice, impact Treaty settlements, and undermine social cohesion.”
Public submissions on the Bill are now open, closing on the 7th January 2025. ActionStation has provided a comprehensive submission writing toolkit, now available HERE. They also have a credible set of resources to increase your understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and related topics.
It is really important to have your say. ACT, with backing from the Atlas Network, has six months before the second reading to do a lot of damage through media and propaganda advertising. We saw this unfold in Australia with the Voice referendum, which proposed to alter the constitution giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders representation in Federal Parliament. In six short months, polls that showed a 65% Yes vote deteriorated to 35%, due to targeted advertising and media backed by the Atlas Network and right wing think tanks, and the Voice was not passed, further setting back indigenous rights.
We cannot let this happen here.
Ko whaiwhai tonu mātou! Ake! Ake! Ake!
ToiTū Te Tiriti!
The organisers of the Whitianga Kotahitanga Gathering would like to mihi the following people for their support: Stella & Mark Pennell, Dave Rhodes for expertly directing traffic, Besshandz Edmonds for karakia, advice and yummy frybread, Ian Thorne for taonga puoro, Billie Hunter for the mean tunes & speaker, Matua Joe Davis for his kōrero, Raukawa and Shelley Balson for their support and Maddie Johnson for constantly assuring us that we were doing the right thing.
If you are interested in participating in kaupapa like this in the future, join the ToiTū Te Tiriti – Whitianga Nui O Kupe private group on Facebook, or contact anusha@korimakocreative.co.nz
Other helpful information:
Words by Fiona Gates & Anusha Bhana
Photo credit – Stella Pennell, Fiona Gates, Dave Rhodes, Helena James and Anusha Bhana.
Coromind: Coromandel’s Collaborative Magazine
Help us take Coromind Magazine to new heights by becoming a member. Click here
Change the Weather for Your Business: Advertise with Us.
Advertise your business in the whole Hauraki Coromandel in the coolest Coromandel Art Magazine, from Waihi Beach/Paeroa /Thames up to the Great Barrier Island.
Advertise Smarter, Not Harder: Get in Touch
