Northland kaumātua start h¯ıkoi

Kaumātua are set to be loaded on to buses as they h¯ıkoi to Parliament demanding improved living conditions. On the first day of Waitangi commemorations, in the Te Tii Marae forum tent where political matters are discussed, issues about the living conditions of Te Tai Tokerau kaumātua were hotly debated. Ngāpuhi kaumātua Rimana Matiu spoke of the appalling conditions many rangatira across Northland were living in, many without hot water or safe, healthy homes. These people were representatives of their whānau and needed to be cared for as they aged, he said. The late Titewhai Harawira had called a similar hui earlier this year to discuss the needs of their old people and had asked him to take the kaupapa to Waitangi, Matiu said. Together, with the support of younger members of the hapū, Matiu called on kuia and kaumātua to board buses that were being arranged to take the wero to Parliament. ‘‘We need to h¯ıkoi. It started yesterday in Te Rerenga Wairua [Cape Reinga] to bring this kaupapa to our whānau in Waitangi.’’ He acknowledged the work of Dame Whina Copper and Eva Rickard, who had both marched to Parliament for their different kaupapa. It was time to follow in their footsteps, Matiu said. ‘‘All these kuia, they were rangatira because they moved with the force of the people. This is why I have come to ask if you would like to be a part of that h¯ıkoi from Waitangi to Parliament.’’ Matiu said buses would stop at marae along the way, collecting more elders in support of the kaupapa. This was not just about Māori, Matiu said, it was about everyone, Pākehā too. All in the forum tent agreed with the kaupapa, however, there was some dissent about the way to solve the problem. Some thought using resources to head to Parliament was a waste of pūtea (money) that could be used elsewhere, and with government ministers arriving at Waitangi for the commemoration, it was better to use the time they had here for whānau to voice their concerns. The h¯ıkoi is expected to arrive at Waitangi tomorrow.