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In pictures: A protest of Māoridom

Saturday, 1 June 2024

Matt Sollis and Rebekah Johnston make their views known on a placard during the national day of action spearheaded by Te Pāti Māori at the Bridge of Remembrance.
Matt Sollis and Rebekah Johnston make their views known on a placard during the national day of action spearheaded by Te Pāti Māori at the Bridge of Remembrance.

While thousands of protesters marched on Parliament on Thursday in opposition to the Government's “anti-Māori” policies, hundreds voiced their frustrations in Christchurch. Press photographers Iain McGregor and Chris Skelton were there to capture the moment.

Protesters gathered at the Bridge of Remembrance at 11am on Thursday, chanting “Toitū te Tiriti” and “Honour the Treaty” as they took their protest to central Christchurch.

Schoolchildren sang waiata during the protest.
Schoolchildren sang waiata during the protest.

Schoolchildren sang waiata, and people clutched placards with slogans including “Up da Tiriti” and “Hands off my reo”.

Among the protesters was Iaean Cranwell, Ngāi Tahu councillor at Environment Canterbury, who stands to lose his title and vote at ECan if the Ngāi Tahu representation act is repealed.
Among the protesters was Iaean Cranwell, Ngāi Tahu councillor at Environment Canterbury, who stands to lose his title and vote at ECan if the Ngāi Tahu representation act is repealed.

Among them was Iaean Cranwell, a Ngāi Tahu councillor at Environment Canterbury (ECan), who told demonstrators that Māori were “being attacked”, including on representation.

Many people believe that Government is not working for Māori.
Many people believe that Government is not working for Māori.
The protest filled the streets around the Bridge of Remembrance.
The protest filled the streets around the Bridge of Remembrance.
Protesters were impassioned but well-behaved and jovial.
Protesters were impassioned but well-behaved and jovial.
Thousands of people around the country made their anger about the Government’s perceived “assault on tangata whenua and Te Tiriti o Waitangi” known in rallies, hīkoi and “carkoi” on Budget day.
Thousands of people around the country made their anger about the Government’s perceived “assault on tangata whenua and Te Tiriti o Waitangi” known in rallies, hīkoi and “carkoi” on Budget day.
The protest was attended by young and old.
The protest was attended by young and old.

Cranwell, who was appointed to ECan by Ngāi Tahu rather than being elected, stands to lose that role if the Coalition Government repeals the representation act, as promised.

“We are being attacked on all sides … on the environment, on the fast track [bill],” he said.

Organisers said the protest action, which coincided with the Budget announcement, was intended to “prove the might of [the Māori] economy by disconnecting entirely from it”.