As a crowd estimated by police to be more than 42,000 people descended on New Zealand’s Parliament today — eyes from afar were watching.
Today’s proceedings marked the end of Hīkoi mō te Tiriti, a nine day peaceful protest which had made its way through Aotearoa in opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill.
Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke, who attracted global attention for initiating in a haka while ripping up the bill in Parliament, told the crowd gathered “the world is watching”.
“This march was never about the bill. I ripped that in half and chucked it away. This march was about us walking, marching side by side, generation by generation. This bill divides us as a country. The Treaty unites us of all ages and all races,” she said.
The BBC said the hīkoi “swelled dramatically” as participants, many draped in colours of the Māori tino rangatiratanga flag, marched through the capital Wellington.
“It brought together activists and supporters who opposed the bill, which was introduced by a junior member of the governing coalition,” it reported.
Meanwhile, The Associated Press described the hīkoi as having “the air of a festival or parade rather than a protest”.
“People crammed themselves onto the children’s slide on the lawn for a vantage point; others perched in trees. The tone was almost joyful; as people waited to leave the cramped area, some struck up Māori songs that most New Zealanders learn at school.”
It called the protest “likely the country’s largest-ever protest in support of Māori rights” and pointed to the “jokes or insults” which were on display on placards, as well as the various waiata and haka which were “ringing” through the streets of Wellington.
International news agency Reuters reported “unity and solidarity” was spoken about a lot at the hīkoi.
It said: “While the bill lacks enough support to pass, critics see in it a desire to reverse decades of policies that aimed to empower Māori, who make up around 20% of the 5.3 million population but have higher levels of deprivation and incarceration and worse health outcomes than the broader population.”
Australian news agency AAP pointed out the crowd was so vast, “many were unable to see or hear speakers” at the event.
It said the hīkoi followed a “now-infamous” haka which took place inside Parliament last week, led by Māori Party MP Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke.
“Those videos and images have been seen by millions worldwide.”
