Hikoi - one year on

Submitted by A-IMC (not verified) on 5 May 2005 - 7:45pm

International

One year ago, 30’000 people marched to parliament on the hikoi in opposition to the seabed and foreshore legislation. It’s been a year of protest that saw the formation of a new party (the Maori Party) and many extra-parliamentary protests. One day after the hikoi the confiscation legislation passed its first reading despite continuous protests and passed its final reading in November 2004.

On 16th October 2004 2000 people were part of Hikoi Takutaimoana II in Tamaki Makaurau. In December a group called Te Mangoroa occupied the pier in Otautahi. In January 2005 Tuhoe people of the Uruwera region met representatives of the crown for a Waitangi Tribunal with anger. Cars were turned over and set alight. A Tino Rangatiratanga flag was fluttering in the wind as a symbol of resistance against colonisation and the Crown sponsored theft of indigenous lands.

In March the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) released its decision on it. Since then plans for extensive sand mining and seabed exploration for mineral extraction have been made public.

Thoughts by Te Rangikaiwhiria Kemara

Hikoi - one year on Public Forum, 12th May, 6pm, Central Library, Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington
Hui in Te Kuiti 10th May, 7pm, Te Kuiti Marae, Tokanganui Wharenui

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