A thriving society will be out of reach for New Zealand if the government persists with its "unjust" Treaty Principles Bill, a rally in Dunedin was told.
More than 1000 people, laden with flags, signs and banners, packed into the upper Octagon yesterday, in support of a hīkoi bound for Wellington.
The gathering was part of a nationwide movement, Toitū Te Tiriti, which opposes the government’s Treaty Principles Bill.
The Bill seeks to define the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and will be debated in Parliament this week.
Te Pāti Māori Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris told the crowd the Bill was "unjust" and "would not serve New Zealand".
"You can not ever hope to build a thriving society when it is built on injustice for some," he said.
"Tangata Tiriti mai, all of our non-Māori whānau, and tangata whenua mai, all of our Māori whānau ... together for Te Tiriti."
Speaker Marcia Cassidy urged people to draw on the late Kiingi Tuheitia’s advice to "live Māori all day, every day".
"To protect the rights of tangata whenua is to protect the land, is to protect the forest, is to protect the waterways, is to protect the native species, is to protect you — the visitors to the land.
"This is all of our fight."
Event MC Kiringāua Cassidy (Kāi Tahu) said it was a celebration for those who believed in Māori self-determination.
There was a "vibrant" atmosphere at the rally which was uniquely Māori — the strong turnout in Dunedin dismissed the perception there were no Māori in the South, Mr Cassidy said.
"That’s completely wrong, we’ve been here ... doing the mahi, we’ve been supporting the kaupapa.
"We continue to do that because — what else are we to do?"
Organiser Māia Lockyer (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou, Rongomaiwahine) said the rally was an opportunity for people to stand up for one another.
"That’s what today is about ... Māori, non-Māori — all who believe in the Treaty, who support the Treaty."
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s assurances the Bill would not be supported by the National Party beyond its first reading were not a comfort to her.
"The unrest that [the Bill is] creating during the period it’s being read — it’s not fair to our people."
The hikoi plans to be at Parliament by Tuesday.
