Manukau marchers in step with Auckland hikoi

Photo: SHANE WENZLICK

STAND UNITED: Iwi Have Influence spokesman Monday Tahere says a hikoi in Manukau city centre will precede the march protesting against the proposed supercity in central Auckland on May 25.

Maori action group Ihi is urging Manukau locals to join a protest hikoi in the city.

The 8.30am march will take place around the city square on May 25 ahead of the hikoi planned for central Auckland later that day.

Buses will then take marchers to join the Auckland hikoi from Bastion Pt to the central city.

Ihi – Iwi Have Influence – is organising the midday Auckland hikoi to protest against the government’s supercity proposal and its lack of Maori representation.

Spokesman Monday Tahere says Ihi’s southern league Te Ihi o te Tonga believes Manukau should also have its own hikoi.

"Despite our cultural or ethnic diversities we are all part of one iwi because we are all from Manukau," he says.

"Everybody makes Manukau, not one particular culture or group of people and we want to show the city’s solidarity – that we stand united.

"For the southern league we acknowledge all the unknowns surrounding the supercity are a problem for everyone in the Manukau community," Mr Tahere says.

"We know a lot of people think the hikoi is a protest for Maori but this isn’t just for Maori. It is open to everyone because we all are being affected."

Feedback has been positive with many people in the community lending their support, he says.

Grey Power Auckland president Donald Dunn and Pacific Island Advisory Committee chairwoman Tupou Manapori have also backed it.

The hikoi takes place in Manukau city centre at 8.30am on May 25. Buses will leave for the Auckland hikoi at 9.30am.

Organisers say convoys from North Shore and west Auckland will also join the central Auckland hikoi.

For information see www.ihiaotearoa.wordpress.com or email teihiotetonga@hotmail.com.

- © Fairfax NZ News