What you need to know about Te Pāti Māori protest plans
Wednesday, 29 May 2024
Nationwide protests on Thursday are expected to cause massive traffic disruption across the country.
The events have been organised by Te Pāti Māori and other connected to Toitū Te Tiriti movement.
Waka Kotahi are closely monitoring the situation.
Nationwide protests are planned for Thursday – Budget day – with people encouraged to go on strike in response to the Government’s perceived “assault on tangata whenua and Te Tiriti o Waitangi”.
Te Pāti Māori and others connected to the Toitū Te Tiriti (Honour the Treaty) movement, started by Te Pāti Māori activists when the coalition Government came into power, have been asking supporters to miss work as part of a “nationwide activation”.
In an online post, organisers said the protest action, which coincides with the government’s budget announcement, is intended to “prove the might of [the Māori] economy by disconnecting entirely from it”.
Here’s what you need to know about Thursday’s strike action.
Why is the strike happening?
The strike action has several key objectives, outlined on social media, including: “demonstrating the might of tangata whenua and tanagata tiriti working together, the revolution of Generation Tiriti standing up for, and protecting the rights of all mokopuna, and asserting the mana of Te Tiriti o Waitangi as enduring and ever-lasting”.
The protest, a follow-up of Te Pāti Māori’s Day of National Action in December last year, is a response to the policies of the coalition government, many of which have been panned as an “attack” on Māori.
Some of the policies include the repeal of Smokefree 2025 laws, the repeal of section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act, the Treaty Principles Bill, the disestablishment of the Māori Health Authority and the The Māori wards bill.
The response
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he expected the Budget to deliver for Māori.
Asked whether the calls for strike action on Budget Day as part of the nationwide activation were appropriate, Luxon said: “No, that would be illegal.”
Taking a full day off work to strike, would be a breach of employment law, Luxon said.
“I think that’s wrong. I think that’s entirely wrong. I think, feel free to protest - now, that probably is a weekend sport.”
Movements on the day
Rallies, hīkoi and carkoi - marches like traditional hīkoi, but instead involving a long line of cars headed to a destination rather than walking - are planned across Aotearoa.
In Tāmaki Makaurau, protesters are asked to meet near motorway on-ramps, north, south and west of the city at 6.30am.
A rally will also take place down Queen St from 11.30am, led by Dave Letele.
In Wellington, a hikoi to Parliament will start at 12pm, and Christchurch and Dunedin will see hikoi from 11am and 12pm respectively.
In Hamilton, Lady Tureiti Moxon and Brad Totorewa will lead a hikoi through the city centre.
A Waka Kotahi spokesperson said they will be closely monitoring the situation through their Traffic Operations Centres on Thursday. Motorists are advised to check their online journey planner and traffic information pages for the latest information before travelling.
Police have also confirmed they are working with protest organisers to provide advice on lawful protest, as well as any health and safety implications.
Protest areas on Thursday:
Northland:
Whangārei, Farmer’s car park, 9am.
Kaitāia, Commerce St, 9am.
Auckland:
West Auckland, BP Hobsonville, 6.30am.
South Auckland, Z Petrol station, 6.30am.
North Auckland, Palmers Albany Garden Centre, 6.30am.
Central Auckland, Aotea Square, 11am.
Waikato:
Hamilton, Kirikiriroa Marae, 7.30am.
Matamata, Matamata Woolworths, 6.45am.
Te Puaha, Weraroa Marae, 8.30am.
Hauraki, Victoria Park, 12pm.
Waiariki:
Tauranga, Whareroa Reserve, 8am.
Whakatāne, SH30, 7.30am.
Ōpōtiki, Waioweka bridge, 7am.
Taupō, Lake Terrace, 8am.
Tūrangi, Tūrangi town centre, 9am.
Rotorua, Lake Rd intersection, Old Taupō Rd, Fenton St and Sala St, 7am.
Ikaroa-Rāwhiti:
Tūranganui a Kiwa, Heipipi Park, 7am.
Hastings, Hastings Clock Tower, 7am.
Wairarapa, Masterton Town Hall, 12pm.
Te Tai Hauāuru:
Hāwera, Hāwera Netball Courts, 10.30am.
Palmerston North, Te Marae o Hine, 7.15am.
Tokoroa, Leith Place, 8am.
Wellington:
- A hīkoi to Parliament in Wellington at 12pm.
South Island:
Christchurch, Bridge of Remembrance, 11am.
Nelson, Church steps, 12.30pm.
Dunedin, Queens Gardens, 12pm.