Horse hīkoi in photos: The day Ngāti Kahungunu rode to Parliament

Ngāti Kahungunu, the iwi which spans much of the eastern lower North Island, led this convoy of riders from Waimārama to Wellington to protest Government policies they believe diminish Te Tiriti and negatively affect the environment.

This included the Treaty references bills (it is one policy spread across three bills as the different actions have different legal effects) and the RMA.

A few weeks ago, Tainui, for example, lambasted the Government over the halting of the PC1 river protections that were years in the making in place of new proposals under the RMA. The iwi stressed how its landmark settlement obliges the Crown, alongside Waikato-Tainui, to protect the river.

One horse, carrying the petition, was permitted onto Parliament’s grounds. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The original plan was to ride all 40 horses onto Parliament’s precinct (a move that would likely have been stopped), but iwi leader Bayden Barber and Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee compromised.

One horse was allowed to ride onto the grounds to hand over a petition signed by more than 52,000 urging the Government to ditch efforts to repeal or amend Treaty references.

One horse, carrying the petition, was permitted onto Parliament’s grounds. Photo / Mark Mitchell

“The Treaty is here to stay, Māori are here to stay, we are not going anywhere,” Barber said.

“Any weakening of the Treaty of Waitangi, any removing of clauses that talk about the Treaty of Waitangi, it shouldn’t happen, and that’s why we are doing what we are doing.”

Hundreds of people and a sole horse gather for mihi outside Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Barber said as the group rode through towns toward the capital, people cheered and gave koha or donations.

“They were Pākehā. It shows the support [for our cause] not just from iwi Māori but Pākehā,” he said.

“The Treaty is not just for Māori; it is for everyone in this nation. It is the foundational document that our tūpuna signed.”

Ngāti Kahungungu’s demonstration is expected to be the last protest from Māoridom at Parliament this term with less than two sitting weeks to go before the House rises for the election.

Horses arrive at Parliament to protest. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The protest bookends a term marred by action against policies many believe are anti-Māori or that undermine the Treaty. This is a charge the Government has consistently rejected.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is leading the Treaty reference review, which was part of New Zealand First’s coalition agreement with National.

Protesters on horseback arrive at Parliament at the conclusion of their hīkoi. Photo / Mark Mitchell

He said the repealing or amending of references in 19 pieces of legislation was needed to bring consistency, clarity and predictability to law.

“Over the last 30 or 40 years, Parliament has made all sorts of references to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi,” he said.

“Sometimes it’s ‘honour’, or ‘have regard to’, or ‘give effect to’, or ‘take into account’. We need to create some consistency here, in the interests of increasing certainty and supporting compliance.

“We do not agree or accept that this legislation weakens Treaty obligations.”

Te Pāti Māori Ikaroa-Rāwhiti candidate Haley Maxwell arrives on horseback to Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The just-released bills reveal terms such as “uphold” or “honour” would be replaced with “takes into account te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi”.

The changes span several pieces of legislation, including mental health and education spaces.

Barber, who led the convoy, said he hoped the imagery of Māori of all ages riding horses to Parliament would spark people to vote, particularly other Māori.

Protesters on horseback arrive at Parliament at the conclusion of their hīkoi. Photo / Mark Mitchell

“If our young people can ride their horses from Waimārama to Pōneke, then surely our whānau can get along to the polling booth and vote. This is the most important election for this country, especially for Māori, in our generation,” he said.

“We want to send a message to this Government that we are serious about protecting Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the founding agreement of this country. Not only to this Government but whoever is there come November 7.”

Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter. She joined the Herald in 2020 and has most recently focused on data journalism.