Once a Māori pā site known as Te Rerenga Ora Iti, this area has witnessed pivotal moments in the history of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Overlooking present-day Shortland Street, Emily Place was once a gathering point for Māori and a source of fresh water from Waiariki, a spring that provided for nearby settlements. Down the hill, the Waipapa area was home to a Māori fishing village.
On 18 September 1840, Ngāti Whātua chiefs signed a provisional agreement with the Crown, later transferring 3,500 acres of land. This would form the foundation of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, just months after the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. It was at Emily Place Reserve, that Ngāti Whātua extended its hand to British settlers.
Today, 184 years later, this area will once again see another defining moment in history. A nine-day hīkoi began at Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) and will pass through the CBD of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on Wednesday 13 November. It will then march on to parliament on 19 November.
This hīkoi protests the introduction of the Treaty Principles Bill, proposed by the Act Party. While Act’s coalition partners have agreed to support the Bill through its initial reading and review by the select committee, both have stated they will not support its progression beyond that point. We at SBN say end it now. Or, as the voices of the hīkoi are saying, “kill the bill”.
The Waitangi Tribunal's report said “if this bill were to be enacted, it would be the worst, most comprehensive breach of the Treaty/te Tiriti in modern times. If the bill remained on the statute book for a considerable time or was never repealed, it could mean the end of the Treaty/te Tiriti.”
In the same week the Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to parliament, other contentious matters were debated. Parliament progressed the bill to reverse its ban on oil and gas drilling and exploration. It also progressed the removal of agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme, which is half of New Zealand emissions.
Reflecting on the promises of Te Tiriti and the legacy of this whenua, it’s clear we must advocate for policies that protect both the environment and the rights of tangata whenua. By upholding the commitments made in Article Two, especially the safeguarding of Māori tino rangatiratanga (authority) over our lands, waters, resources and taonga species, we build a future that reflects the vision of our tūpuna (ancestors).
At SBN, we stand in support of these efforts to uphold and respect the promises of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, our nation’s founding document. This nationwide movement calls for the honouring of Treaty commitments, justice for tangata whenua and recognition of the mana (authority) of Māori across the motu.
We need to remember whose land we stand on and the people who have cared for it for generations. Let’s unite to protect the integrity of Te Tiriti, and how it calls for our ability to live side-by-side, with aroha and peace.
I leave you with this whakataukī. If those in power will not stand with us, we stand strong together.
Ki ngā whakaeke haumi.
Ally yourself with those who have already banded together. There is strength in numbers.
For more information about how you can take part in the hīkoi, head to Toitū Te Tiriti.