Hīkoi - Inside Out

Television (Full Length Episode) – 2004

In 2004 the government proposed controversial legislation to place ownership of New Zealand’s foreshore and seabeds into crown hands. For tangata whenua, this dredged up painful memories of a history of colonisation and displacement, and ignited one of the largest Māori mobilizations in history. A monumental two-week long hīkoi ensued, drawing participants from around the country. This One News special follows the two young leaders of the hīkoi — Te Whenua Harawira and Tere Harrison — as they navigate the growing convoy and rallies en route from Cape Reinga and Mahia, to Parliament in Wellington.

No Mauitenei whenua, Ka riro te whenua, ka riro toku mana . . . If I lose my land, if I lose my place in this land, then I lose myself.
– Hīkoi leader Tere Harrison on the significance of land loss, early in this documentary