Kurawaka Morrison, Student 19.11.24

To understand my perspective on the hīkoi you probably need to know a bit about me. I’m 16 years old, from Te Arawa & Ngāi Tahu, I’m also Pākehā and come from a whānau who grew up speaking only English but have made a revolution for our whānau to ensure that te reo Māori is my first language. I’m in a rumaki (total immersion) kura that is based on a Tiriti partnership with the English-medium (some people call that ‘mainstream’) school. I get the best of both worlds because I can learn everything in te reo Māori, be pushed to excellence in Kapa haka, and also choose some classes like Economics and Media studies in the English Medium school. There’s sharing both ways, for example, for students from the English medium side who want to learn te reo Māori, and the everyday events of the wider school are bicultural and bilingual. I think my generation is used to living and learning this way, it's really normal and I think it makes everyone feel like they belong. I try to remember and appreciate that there’s only one place in the world I could be learning like this, Aotearoa New Zealand.

So when I look to the movement driving the Hīkoi mo Te Tiriti, I see it as a testament to the strength and resilience of Te Ao Māori. Watching this movement flourish has been incredibly moving as it really showcases the collective determination to protect the genuine mātāpono (maxim) of Te Tiriti. I feel as though this movement also serves as a reminder of the ongoing journey toward fairness and integrity for our culture. While I wasn't fortunate to participate in the Hīkoi in person because of an exam in pūtaiao (science) when the Hīkoi was in town, my whānau represented us and I loved seeing how excited and energised my teina (little sister) was by being part of something historic. I have been following it closely online, although social media doesn’t quite depict the wehi (immense energy) you feel in person. The wehi and unity I feel being a part of a whare haka with other rangatahi Māori is unmatched. That’s why I can feel, not just see that wehi that I see rising in people of all kinds on the Hīkoi. I recognise that same intensity and resolve, that wehi they’re showing in the activations around the country. I can see the rest of the world is watching and they feel it too, that makes me proud and makes me feel part of something powerful.

My hope for the Hīkoi is that it achieves its goal to protect Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and that it activates Tangata whenua and Tangata tiriti to embrace the Tiriti as a framework that empowers us all to thrive in Aotearoa. This movement has been a call to action for all Māori to recognise and address issues when necessary, and not to fret under the weight of oppression. It’s also a calling for Tangata tiriti to know the movement is for them and needs them too.

As rangatahi Māori and as future leaders, we must devote our anger towards advocating for policies and practices that reflect the values of Te Tiriti. To our current leaders, I would say: listen to the voices of the people. Continue embracing the values of Te Tiriti, of Tino Rangatiranga, and keep pushing towards that future where every Māori can thrive, where tangata tiriti can thrive and Aotearoa can thrive. Ko ā koutou mahi inaianei, ka pokepoke i te Aotearoa o apōpō, (Your actions today will shape the Aotearoa of tomorrow).

Article written by Kurawaka Morrison.