Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer welcomes the support of the Labour and Green Party leaders for Te Tiriti o Waitangi, as an activation hikoi departs from Rotorua to Heretaunga this morning, en route to Parliament.

She says Te Pāti Māori welcomes all New Zealanders who view the Treaty as a unifying force for a better Aotearoa New Zealand.

Ngarewa-Packer and co-leader Rawiri Waititi began the march with supporters from Cape Reinga, noting that only a few reactions along the way have been negative.

“What we’ve seen is just a beautiful wairua. Despite the attacks on us. Despite the attacks at our mokopuna, there’s been nothing but beautiful wairua, and aroha. Yeah, and a huge mihi to all of our coordinators in Toitū Te Tiriti,” says Ngarewa-Packer.

Ngarewa-Packer says while the march targets the controversial Treaty Principles Bill, it also addresses a wider range of anti-Māori policies introduced by the coalition government.