Toitū He Whakaputanga! Toitū Te Tiriti! Honour The Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand! Honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi!
On a crisp clear morning in Te Whitianga-ā-Kupe (Whitianga), before the rays of Tama-nui-te-rā (the sun) had risen over the horizon, a group of tangata whenua and tangata tiriti gathered to hīkoi (march) as part of the nationwide Toitū Te Tiriti activation.
If you’ve somehow missed the nationwide Māori-led peaceful activation that happened this week, and are unfamiliar with Toitū Te Tiriti, and the kaupapa of the movement, let me catch you up.
Toitū Te Tiriti (Honour the Treaty) is a unified response to the coalition government’s complete disregard for Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the founding document of Aotearoa), and the rights and future of tangata whenua. Tangata whenua, with the support of tangata tiriti (non-Māori, Pākehā) and tangata moana (Pasifika) are collectively expressing their discontent over the fundamental breach of indigenous rights by this government, with activations: organised, mana-filled, peaceful gatherings across the motu (land). The introduction of new legislation and policies, prejudiced amendments to existing policies and the disestablishment of key Māori-centred initiatives, which doesn’t promote or even suggest an inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand, has provoked an empowered and determined resistance.
The ToiTū Te Tiriti kaupapa is:
- Tūpuna inspired – it draws on the experiences, wisdom and guidance of tupuna (ancestors), many of whom had fought tirelessly for social justice and indigenous rights.
- Tiriti led – it advocates for honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi – the Te Reo Māori version, as the founding document of Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Mana motuhake driven – it places the pursuit of mana motuhake – self-determination at its centre.
- Mokopuna focused – future generations are the primary reason for the kaupapa, so that they can thrive in a Te Tiriti-centric society, proud of their identity and treated with the respect indigenous populations deserve.
Thursday 30th May marked the second time Māori have mobilised on a national scale – the first hīkoi took place in December 2023.
In collaboration with other coordinators around the Hauraki rohe, 9 activations were held in: Manaia, Whitianga, Paeroa, Kaiaua, Te Aroha, Waihi, Ngatea, Waiau, Tāmaki and a mass activation in Te Kauaeranga (Thames).
The Whitianga hīkoi was organised by local mana wāhine Maddie Johnson (Ngāpuhi), Hira Waretini-Paul (Waikato), Saasha Hoar (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Whakaue), Billie Hunter (Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne), Pounamu Ngauamo (Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngāti Maru).
Before the hīkoi, Kaumatua Joe Davis (Ngāti Hei) shared a karakia and Maddie explained the tikanga of the activation which included ensuring everyone’s safety, especially the tamariki and remaining peaceful. The group marched from the corner of Kupe Drive & Joan Gaskell, along Cook Drive and down to Mercury Bay Area School, flying tino rangatiratanga flags, raising handmade protest signs into the air, attracting horn toots of support from passing drivers, with local police in escort. The rōpū congregated at Puahape outside the wharenui, singing waiata, chanting Toitū Te Tiriti and speaking to passersby about the kaupapa. From here, a group of tangata whenua and tangata tiriti travelled to Te Kauaeranga for the Hauraki activation, which kicked off at midday.
In Te Kauaeranga a large group gathered under the trees in Te Tarakonaiti Pā (Victoria Park), ready to march. A powerful karakia was conducted and a reminder given to practice tikanga, keep tamariki safe and remain peaceful. The group walked purposefully up Pollen Street to National MP Scott Simpson’s office, where they performed haka, sung waiata and Hauraki hīkoi organiser Te Puna Moanaroa amongst other community leaders, gave emotive kōrero. Their messages were filled with resolve and determination, and a call to action to enrol and vote, to ensure this is a one term government. Whitianga hīkoi organiser Maddie Johnson had this to say:
Educating our tangata whenua and our tauiwi/non-Māori on the foundations of Aotearoa and the intergenerational problems we as a ‘modern-day society’ are facing is my passion.
Although our region holds such a rich history pre-dating colonial times, skewed colonial mindsets continue in their efforts to discredit our history and our rights as tangata whenua. The lack of education and the prevalence of miseducation is evident in the opinions of a group of keyboard warriors from within our community. Tangata whenua experiences this dysfunctional behaviour every day.
As a collective, we cannot and will not sit idle any longer as our whenua and whānau are destroyed through successive governments trying to dictate what is best for us as tangata whenua and tangata tiriti alike.
When Te Pāti Māori called our nation to ‘Activate’, that is precisely what we did. Inspiring doesn’t even come close to the mana you feel walking alongside each other in support of our mokopuna and our future generations. Toitū He Whakaputanga! Toitū Te Tiriti!”
There were several chants that rang out during the day, but the one most often recited was
“Ka whawhai tonu mātou! Ake! Ake! Ake!” We will fight for our rights forever!
Within this resistance is a fierce resolve to never stop. To never stop standing up for what is right, what is fair and what is owed. To never stop fighting for the true and just acknowledgement of Māori as the first peoples of this whenua.
Indigenous populations around the world are still advocating for their rights – like the Kanak resistance in New Caledonia. Solidarity is critical, especially in social movements like this. On Thursday tangata tiriti stood, marched, sang and chanted in solidarity with tangata whenua.
I’m not here to present mountains of evidence to change your mind. I’m here to simply relay the facts: Tangata whenua will continue to activate for however long it takes for Te Tiriti o Waitangi to be fully honoured, and tangata tiriti and tangata moana will continue to walk alongside. If you didn’t join us this time, join us next time.
For more information about Toitū Te Tiriti visit: https://toitutetiriti.co.nz/ and if you’re tangata tiriti check out this article by The Spinoff: What does it mean to be tangata Tiriti?
The Whitianga hīkoi organisers would like to thank: Our passionate ope (contingent) who joined us and Te Pāti Māori for activating the motu (nation).
Words and images by Anusha Bhana
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