Parihaka powhiri provides emotional end to three-day peace hikoi
Friday, 17 June 2016
Standing up for Maori rights will be the legacy of New Plymouth's outgoing mayor, says New Zealand's race relations commissioner.
Dame Susan Devoy was among the more than 500 people who were welcomed to Parihaka on Friday after a three day hikoi to promote peace.
The peacewalk began in New Plymouth on Wednesday and was the vision of mayor Andrew Judd to begin a new conversation on how tough issues in the community - such as Maori representation - can be tackled.
Devoy said Judd deserved recognition, not retribution, for his staunch support of Maori representation.
'It's the right thing to do and he's very brave,' she said.
**READ MORE:
* Stories and experiences shared during Taranaki's peace hikoi
* Conversation a key part of the pathway to peace
* Hundreds join first day of Taranaki peace walk to Parihaka
* Peace hikoi to Parihaka presents new possibilities for partnership between Maori and Pakeha**
Devoy said Judd's efforts would be remembered long after his time in office ended.
'What he has done is create a space to have a conversation,' she said.
'I think Andrew will go down in history for this.'
The abuse and backlash Judd suffered from some people because of his support for a Maori ward made headlines last month and sparked a national debate about race relations.
In an effort to move the discussion away from division to unity, the peace walk was organised and hundreds of people accepted the invitation to walk from New Plymouth to Parihaka, the historic site synonymous with peaceful protest against widespread land confiscation in the 1880s.
The hikoi attracted a diverse crowd, including people from outside the region.
About 150 set off on the final leg of the walk from Okato, but numbers swelled considerably as the group approached Parihaka.
After the hikoi arrived at the settlement, Judd spoke passionately about the need for New Zealand to get on board with biculturalism.
He said there should be 'no more' tolerance of the mis-treatment of tangata whenua and the denial of their rights under the Treaty of Waitangi.
Earlier in the day he said while he had been stunned by the support he received for the peace hikoi, he was 'ashamed' of the way the New Plymouth District Council had 'actively blocked bi-cultural development'.
Judd said he expected whoever donned his mayoral chains next would be committed to ensuring all people were fully represented when decisions were made around the council table.
Several community leaders joined the walk on Friday, including Dean Peter Beck, Archbishop Philip Richardson, Green MPs Catherine Delahunty and Jan Logie as well as Te Tai Hauauru MP Adrian Rurawhe.
Delahunty, the party's Te Tiriti o Waitangi spokeswoman, said the hikoi 'challenges us to acknowledge historical and current injustices' .
She said she supported Judd's stance on Maori wards.
'We absolutely believe that local government should be a place that represents everyone especially mana whenua,' she said.
'Andrew Judd was brave to call out the racism he was experiencing, and we all have a role to play to improve race relations in this country,' she said.
Taranaki iwi leader Wharehoka Wano said Judd's actions had been greatly appreciated by Maori.
'We admire him because he has been our voice,' he said.
He said he was 'disappointed' in the no-show of other councillors, besides Howie Tamati who was present at the powhiri.
'It's almost a sign that maybe they are not interested and that's a concern from a tribal perspective,' he said.
Wano said there was a definite expectation among iwi that the conversation about Maori representation would continue until it was resolved.
Judd said while he was still undecided about his next move after his term as mayor ends in October, he wanted to continue to advocate for change to ensure the voice of tangata whenua was included.
However, he would not be drawn on whether this could mean a move into national politics.
'Nothing is ruled out except the mayoralty,' he said.