HīKOI TO PARLIAMENT

Gale-force winds marked the change blowing through New Zealand politics when they ushered a 20,000 strong crowd into Parliament grounds to protest the government's legislation on the foreshore and seabed in May 2004.

Initiated by Ngāti Kahungunu, the hīkoi became the largest Māori rights gathering in decades as marchers swept down the country from Cape Reinga, northwards from Te Waipounamu, and from the east and west of the North Island.

By the time the hīkoi reached Wellington the crowd overflowed the grounds around parliament reflecting just how deeply Māori felt about this 21st Century denial of rights.

It may have started out as a protest against government legislation to block Māori customary management rights over the foreshore and seabed but the hīkoi turned into a statement of Māori pride – young and old brought together in solidarity against a law seen as contemptuous to Māori.

Organiser of the Far North march Hone Harawira was quoted as saying that he was acting to protect future generations. "To do less would be to surrender."

Search For Calm Waters

Hīkoi

Gale-force winds marked the change blowing through New Zealand politics when they ushered a 20,000 strong crowd into Parliament grounds to protest the government's legislation on the foreshore and seabed in May 2004. [More...]

Going Global

Determined to broadcast the confiscation of its rights to the highest possible forum, Māori took their grievance about the proposed foreshore and seabed legislation to the United Nations. [More...]

For the Love of People

"Who me? Why would you want me? I don't know anything about fish." This was the stunned response of Hana O'Regan when she was asked to sit on the Foreshore and Seabed Panel. The Māori education and culture specialist says it was an instinctive response. "I thought they must have the wrong O'Regan." [More...]

Māori Party Evolution

The Māori Party was born in 2004 on a wave of fierce pride and fury amid claims that the Labour Government was riding roughshod over Māori rights and cultural traditions when it passed the Foreshore and Seabed Act. [More...]

Inside Issue 45

SEARCH FOR CALM WATERS

THROUGH THE TREES

MEETING TŪTOKO

ULVA'S ISLAND

ARM STRONG

COUNTRY EXPEDITION

HAVE YIKE, WILL TRAVEL

 

Issue #45 Published Dec 2009
© Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu