“Meanwhile, in Gisborne, a smaller hīkoi of around 80 people left Te Poho-O-Rāwiri Marae this morning heading south, accompanied by several vehicles. This second group is travelling through Nūhaka and Wairoa, before connecting with the main hīkoi in Hastings this evening.”
12.03pm: The hīkoi has reached Te Puia. NZ Transport Agency says delays to traffic are expected on SH30 between Sala St and Old Taupo Rd.
11.30am: Activation Rotorua leg organiser Fallyn Flavell said she was humbled and proud of everyone who turned up today.
”Everyone is here to kill Te Tiriti o Waitangi Bill.
“We have shown up for the right reasons, we have shown up for our mokopuna, we have made a mokopuna decision and now it’s time for mokopuna action.”
11.25am: The hīkoi is now passing the heart of the visitor and emergency housing motels. The crowd is happy and peaceful still chanting and singing.
Image 1 of 29: Hīkoi mō te Tiriti marches up Rotorua’s Fenton St on Friday. Photo / Ben Fraser
11.19am: Before the hīkoi got under way this morning, organiser and Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi told the Rotorua Daily Post it was nice to be home in Rotorua.
“Waiariki will turn it on as the weather has turned it on today, it hasn’t put any of our people off. Our future is too important.”
Waititi, also MP for Waiariki, said the ability to unite under a common cause, and many kaupapa had brought everyone out today.
“We’ve got tamariki here, we’ve got pakeke here and the rain hasn’t put them off.
“Our future is too important, our mokopuna are too important to be sitting at home and allowing the constant violence that Parliament and this particular government is inflicting on us.”
10.36am: Joel Masters from pounamu (greenstone) store on Fenton St Rākei ran up to Rawiri Waititi as the hīkoi passed to present him with a mere pounamu.
He said he told Waititi he would like him to take it with him to Parliament on Tuesday when the hīkoi arrives.
He said the mere was to enrich the kaupapa to signify their stance.
