The Hīkoi Against the Treaty Principles Bill: A Movement Born of Passion and Unity

In a pivotal moment of resistance, thousands of New Zealanders took to the streets in support of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the country’s founding document. The hīkoi, or procession, brought together people from diverse backgrounds to demand that the government honor its commitments to the treaty. For nine days, participants traveled across the country, sharing their stories and experiences, with a common goal: to protect the rights of tangata whenua.

The Journey Begins

Aperahama Edwards followed the hīkoi the whole way to Parliament. In Pōneke, he reflected on what he said were an unforgettable nine days.

“Every day we’ve observed and experienced the sharing, generosity and aroha of Aotearoa. As we’ve travelled, that’s been a consistent observation. And the outcry, the passion and the unity of purpose, in terms of bringing something honourable back to our country,” he said.

Edwards’ words captured the essence of the movement, which was driven by a desire to see the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi reflected in legislation. The bill, which aimed to reform the treaty, had sparked widespread opposition, with many arguing that it threatened the rights and interests of indigenous New Zealanders.

From Pōneke to Wellington

As the hīkoi traveled from city to city, participants painted signs at Ngāti Toa Domain in Porirua. The bill’s opponents used these signs to express their views, while supporters created messages of solidarity with their whānau and iwi.

The crowd filled Parliament’s forecourt, the surrounding streets, and even the limbs of trees. Aunties wearing their kaupapa hats stood next to tamariki on their dads’ shoulders and in strollers.

Organiser Eru Kapa-Kingi was visibly tired but still energetic as he addressed the crowd. “Look at this,” he told them. “What a moment this is. What a response this is. I’m proud of every single one of you, for stepping up today. Standing in this mana and standing in this moment.”

The Petition and the Party

A petition asking the government to “kill the bill” had racked up 200,000 signatures by the time it was delivered to Parliament. The hīkoi in 2004 gave rise to a new political party, Te Pāti Māori.

For Kapa-Kingi and the other organisers, the movement had become much bigger than them. A conclusion of this magnitude would only be possible if the crowd lived on forever. As Kapa-Kingi said, “It’s up to us whether this moment dissipates after today, or whether it lives forever. Te Tiriti is forever.”

Conclusion

The hīkoi against the Treaty Principles Bill was more than just a protest; it was a call to action. It brought together people from all walks of life in a shared desire to see justice done for tangata whenua. The movement demonstrated that collective action and determination can result in profound change.

In the aftermath of the hīkoi, New Zealanders continue to demand that their government honor its commitments under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. As Edwards so eloquently put it, “The outcry, the passion and the unity of purpose, in terms of bringing something honourable back to our country.”

As the nation looks to the future, one thing is clear: the legacy of this hīkoi will be remembered for generations to come.