Historic hīkoi revives Treaty rights fight

Gideon Porter John Tamihere | Historic hīkoi revives Treaty rights fight

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As the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti descends on Parliament grounds today, Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere says he is reminded of the 2004 Foreshore and Seabed march—a kaupapa that Māori are still fighting for after 20 years.

Tamihere says while the hīkoi is protesting the controversial Treaty Principles Bill, Māori may not realise that New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is advocating amended legislation under the revised MACA (Marine and Coastal Area Act).

The changes would block Māori customary claims, except for a few exceptions, in favour of “all New Zealanders.”

“What Winston’s doing with this new legislation is blowing that all away again, and making the play – which was putting it beyond that they all own the foreshore and seabed, and there could not be any customary title,” says Tamihere.

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