The Treaty of Waitangi Hikoi 2024

"He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata." "What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people."

The Beehive

Hikoi is a Maori term, meaning long walk or march. In modern times it has been used to peacefully protest issues surrounding the Treaty of Waitangi. The hikoi began at the tip of the North Island at Cape Reinga 1058km from Parliament. Along the way it gathered support from towns and cities growing to an estimated 50,000 protesters. Protesters reached Wellington, the seat of government on Tuesday 19 November 2024. 

The Treaty of Waitangi

The treaty was signed on February 6, 1840, between the British Crown and hundreds of Maori chiefs on the grounds of Waitangi in the Bay of Islands. It is the founding document of our nation, New Zealand, Aotearoa. The treaty established sovereignty over New Zealand to the British. In return Māori ownership of their lands and cultural rights were guaranteed. 

Disputes

Many injustices under colonisation for tangawhenua, the indigenous people of the land, occurred in New Zealand as it has for all indigenous people everywhere around the globe. The Treaty of Waitangi offered some protection to Maori, in hindsight minimal protection since Maori now only own approximately 5% of the land. Most of it only suitable for forestry.

The treaty was intended to promote peaceful coexistence between Maori and the Crown. However, over the past 180 years, interpretations of various clauses and meanings of words led to major disputes and grievances over time. 

Why The Hikoi

The Act Party in a government coalition as a junior partner to the National Party, put forward the Treaty Principles bill. This bill proports that the Treaty of Waitangi gives Maori greater legal and political rights than other New Zealanders. David Seymour the Act leader calls it “division by race’. To Maori, it is another attack on the Treaty of Waitangi, seeking to do away with it by reinterpreting every clause within the Treaty.

The Response

The proposed legislation has caused mass outrage in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom and everywhere Maori reside. The Hikoi ending in Wellington although predominantly Maori, was made up of supporters from all ethnic groups including those of British descent. My sister-in-law, blond and blue eyed, walked across the Auckland harbour bridge in support of the hikoi. Many others like her were also supportive. Sonny Bill Williams, famous for his exploits on the sports field, is a Muslim commentator in Australia, has publicly supported the Hikoi. Chris Hipkins, the leader of the opposition declared it as a “massive step backwards”. 

‘Luxon has allowed Seymour to bring forward a bill that doesn’t just rewrite the principles but, in fact, purports to rewrite the plain meaning of Te Tiriti itself, removing the guarantees that were given to iwi about possession of their lands and taonga’. Shane Te Pou, NZ Herald 17 Nov 2024.

Promise to Kill the Bill

Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon has allowed the bill to go forward to its first reading, as part of its coalition agreement with Act, but has categorically stated that it will not support it at the committee stage, killing the bill. Unfortunately, that stage will not happen until the middle of 2025, leaving turmoil and uncertainty.

What Happens Next

Further protests will continue until the “Treaty Principles Bill” is finally quashed through lack of numbers due to the National party withdrawing its support for it.

The Treaty of Waitangi remains a founding document of the nation despite continued attacks to reduce its power. The last significant hikoi before this one was 20 years ago. Since that time   peace and harmony existed until the change of Government in October 2023. This coalition government through its minor party agreement with Act allowed the bill to be heard. An example of the tail wagging the dog.

The Promise of the Treaty of Waitangi

In its purest form the Treaty of Waitangi symbolizes the ongoing relationship and partnership between the Crown and Māori. A recognition of this relationship is manifest in discussions on justice, reconciliation, and the rights of indigenous people in New Zealand.