Northland teen fronts hīkoi to Waitangi, inspiring Māori youth

The 15-year-old daughter of a renowned Northland Māori activist is one of the young people leading a hīkoi to Waitangi.

The hīkoi is a historical part of Waitangi commemorations and aims to bring the voice of Māori to the forefront.

Activist Rueben Taipari’s daughter, Karirikura, is one of the rangatahi Māori inspired by watching their parents and koro pave the way.

Karirikura was taking up the mantle she felt was years in the making.

“The people leading the hīkoi have seen the older generation and now they’re putting their trust into us,” she said.

Karirikura felt it had been a divisive time with the Treaty Principles Bill making headlines over the past year, and believed it was important now more than ever to take a stand.

Her message to other rangitahi Māori was to push through the fear and fight for their future.

Karirikura was also inspired by the prospect of motivating other Indigenous cultures who have been colonised over the decades to protect their culture.

“It’s a little bit scary because we’re young, we don’t know what to expect from other people who might think differently.

“But all of us have got each other’s backs.”

When asked about numbers Karirikura said that wasn’t what mattered – what mattered was the wairua (spirit) on the day.

The hīkoi started at Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Rēinga) early on Tuesday before moving on to Ahipara.

It reached Kaitāia on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the final leg of the hīkoi will be a slow procession from Te Tii Waitangi Marae up to Whare Runanga.

The hīkoi is not the only activation taking place at Waitangi commemorations this year.

On Wednesday morning, Toitu Te Tiriti led a march to the Upper Treaty Grounds, where the pōwhiri was taking place to welcome parliamentarians onto the grounds.

Eru Kapa-Kingi spoke into a megaphone across from the pōwhiri, stating the group would be turning their backs on proceedings and instead heading to the forum tent.

“We’re sick of listening to empty political promises that get us nowhere,” he said.

“We will instead speak to ourselves.”

The grounds at Waitangi were filled with a mixture of residents and visitors on Wednesday, one of whom had travelled from Taiarāwhiti.

Colene Herbert works for CCS Disability Action and said it was her third year attending commemorations.

“I’ve been able to attend forums and if there’s an opportunity to advocate for disabled people, then I feed that into the kōrero.”

She said Waitangi was a good opportunity for people to see where the country was at politically.

People could also broaden their understanding of why many Māori were feeling the way they do.

“I guess it can be confronting for some.”

“If you don’t understand something – don’t be shy to ask.”

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.