Photo courtesy: Toitū Te Tiriti Photo: NZME. Retrieved from teaonews.co.nz
Mokopuna are at the core of the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti movement, according to Rawiri Waititi.
As the fierce winds fanned the inaugural day of the national hīkoi at Te Rerenga Wairua, Waititi said “Kei te oreore tō tātau iwi Māori, kei te oreore ō tātau mokopuna.”
(The Māori people are moving, our grandchildren are moving.)
The co-leader of Te Pāti Māori was “blown away” by the crowds of children at a dawn karakia today, beginning the nine-day journey to Pōneke / Wellington.
“Lots of children have arrived today, [kia] kite mai rātau, kia ako kē rātau i te nātā tū kotahi.”
(Lots of children have arrived today, so they may see and learn about standing as one.)
Waititi highlighted the significance of beginning the hīkoi at Te Rerenga Wairua.
“It is right to start here, because all the great marches in the country, in times of hardship, [started] from the North.”