About the hikoi

There are 6 hikoi marching through 6 towns and 2 cities in Tai Tokerau, all descending on Waitangi this year, and the organisers are overwhelmed by the response to the idea.

A hikoi leaving at dawn from Rerenga Wairua on Wednesday the 2nd of February and traveling along the east coast is planning to hikoi thru Mangonui and Kerikeri, arriving in Waiomio on Friday the 4th of February.

Another hikoi will be leaving Auckland at the same time, walking thru Wellsford, Whangarei and also arriving in Waiomio on Friday the 4th of February.

4 shorter hikoi from Hokianga, Awanui, Ahipara and Dargaville will be leaving their areas on Thursday the 3rd of February, finally arriving at Waiomio, again on the 4th of February.

Kawiti marae, in Waiomio will be hosting the hikoi for Friday night, where there will be a mass haka and waiata training, and treaty workshops and korero.

Everybody will hikoi thru Paihia on its way to Waitangi for a Powhiri at 10am, Saturday the 5th of February.

A good pair of shoes for running, a blanket and toothbrush is essential plus a twenty dollar koha per person for the marae and meals. Also bring your own banners to carry in the march through the towns .Participants under the age of 16 years must have parent consent.

The hikoi is drug and alcohol free for the 4 days. There is no compromise on this issue by the organisers as the kaupapa for the hikoi is too important.

The hikoi is open to anyone who wants to participate in a positive march. Many groups of influence in Tai Tokerau have given their to support this hikoi. The Taumata o Waitangi, The Whakaminenga o Ngapuhi nui tonu, Ko Huiarau, Te Kawariki, Green party, Maori Party and Nga taitamariki o Ngapuhi have all supported this initiative in its proactive message of kotahitanga. Hone Harawira, the organiser of the Foreshore and seabed bill hikoi and many hikoi to Waitangi over the years has supported the concept. Sue Bradford of Ahipara, a Green Party MP, and well known protester is also supportive. More invitations of support have yet to be delivered, but so far the response has been tremendous.

The Hikoi ki Waitangi is to promote unity in Tai Tokerau. The younger generation believes that there must be unity in the decisions made for the future. The recent government has made decisions lately that has created concern amongst maori that they are not listening to the issues raised by tangata whenua The young generation of maori in Northland has a large influence on the elections this year. It is imperative that they make an informed decision on the issues. Almost 75% of maori in Tai Tokerau are less than the age of 25 years old, but research shows that few know anything about the decisions affecting their futures 66% of the people in this country know nothing about the Tiriti o Waitangi, other than it is a time for haters and wreckers to gather and cause trouble. The hikoi has a positive attitude and is going to Waitangi to promote a positive change in attitude towards the Tiriti o Waitangi.

The march into Waitangi will be a time of integrity to show that Northland people can work together.

This hikoi has a positive quality and everybody is marching with a proactive attitude of kotahitanga. Kotahitanga is about accepting the differences of each other, and learning to live with those differences.

The hikoi will be about stating a time for change of view.