There is is hikoi being stopped at the border of Auckland and attempting to march to Waitangi, which is the site of the treaty signing between the British and the natives.
Hikoi is the Maori word for a long peaceful march over many weeks, which picks up many members along the way, to arrive at a destination, usually parliament, to protest Maori grievances against the Crown. The most famous hikoi began in the north of the North Island, and marched to the capital in the south. They usually aren't successful, and they are always fooled by lip service.
These guys are protesting the growing authoritarianism of the government. The sort of things that normal people in New Zealand aren't allowed to speak up about for fear of being called names.
They have been stopped by police, and they aren't moving. There are thousands of them, despite the media portraying them as being a small group. They are camped out, and regularly being supplied with food. They also have the privilege of being Maori, so anyone demonizing their cause have to walk on eggshells.
The police have released statements expressing their frustration at having to control this group when their resources could be deployed elsewhere. Good.
This hikoi is being very patient. There is nothing to stop them walking though the border, short of being gunned down.
It's so strange to talk about New Zealand in terms of borders.
Hikoi is the Maori word for a long peaceful march over many weeks, which picks up many members along the way, to arrive at a destination, usually parliament, to protest Maori grievances against the Crown. The most famous hikoi began in the north of the North Island, and marched to the capital in the south. They usually aren't successful, and they are always fooled by lip service.
These guys are protesting the growing authoritarianism of the government. The sort of things that normal people in New Zealand aren't allowed to speak up about for fear of being called names.
They have been stopped by police, and they aren't moving. There are thousands of them, despite the media portraying them as being a small group. They are camped out, and regularly being supplied with food. They also have the privilege of being Maori, so anyone demonizing their cause have to walk on eggshells.
The police have released statements expressing their frustration at having to control this group when their resources could be deployed elsewhere. Good.
This hikoi is being very patient. There is nothing to stop them walking though the border, short of being gunned down.
It's so strange to talk about New Zealand in terms of borders.
