In November 2024 we had the privilege of witnessing and participating history as the hikoi moved through Kirikiriroa and later that week arrived at Parliament in Wellington. From the early hours, Wellington was alive with purpose — resonating with unity, strength, and aroha. It was a peaceful, beautiful, and deeply moving moment that will stay with us forever.
As an organisation committed to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Len Reynolds Trust was proud to support this kaupapa with nearly all of our board members walking alongside the hikoi in Kirikiriroa, while our Chief Executive Melissa Gibson also joined the hikoi in Wellington. Standing together in unity with others across Aotearoa reinforced our commitment to protecting the mana and intent of Te Tiriti.
We attended this hikoi as a statement of solidarity against the Treaty Principles Bill, which threatens to diminish the sacred partnership enshrined in Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Te Tiriti represents a living promise to Māori, and this Bill risks reducing it to a set of abstract principles disconnected from the lived realities of tangata whenua. For those of us who are both tangata whenua and tangata tiriti, we recognise our responsibility to stand firm against this erosion and to advocate for a future that honours Te Tiriti in both principle and practice.
As we walked, we reflected on the strength of those who came before us—our tīpuna, our families, and the communities whose sacrifices and dreams paved the way for our journey today. Their strength carried us, their voices guided us. This hikoi was not just an act of protest; it was a moment of connection, a call to reflect on our shared responsibility, and a commitment to the promises of Te Tiriti.
The unity we witnessed in Kirikiriroa and again in Wellington was extraordinary. Thousands of us, from all walks of life, stood together in collective purpose. Despite our different journeys, we carried the same belief in justice, rangatiratanga, and the enduring importance of Te Tiriti. This was a demonstration of what it means to walk together—as a community, as a nation, as partners.
For us at the Len Reynolds Trust, this experience resonates deeply with our mission and values. We are committed to honouring Te Tiriti and its principles in all we do, supporting initiatives that empower Māori-led solutions and protect the mana of tangata whenua. This aligns with our strategy of fostering intergenerational wellbeing and creating a Waikato where tamariki and rangatahi thrive.
In 50 years, we hope to tell our mokopuna and their mokopuna that we were there — that we stood for justice, mana, and the promises of Te Tiriti. That we chose action over silence, courage over comfort, and hope over resignation. Te Tiriti is not a relic of history; it is a living document that guides us toward a future of shared prosperity and mutual respect.
Today’s hikoi was a powerful reminder of our shared duty to uphold this partnership—not just in words but through action. The Treaty Principles Bill, if passed, threatens to diminish this vision, undermining the rangatiratanga guaranteed to Māori. Together, we must protect Te Tiriti and ensure it remains a beacon for our future.
As we walked alongside thousands of others, we felt hope. The quiet moments of reflection, the powerful collective voices, and the sheer strength of the crowd affirmed that the promise of Te Tiriti is alive. It is up to all of us to ensure it endures—for today, for tomorrow, and for generations to come.
Toitū te Tiriti. Toitū te mana. Toitū te whenua.
The journey continues, but the hikoi has reminded us of the strength in unity and the power of walking together. Let us carry this momentum forward and keep protecting what matters most.
Len Reynolds Trust: Honouring our Commitment to Tikanga and Equity
This reflection is grounded in our mission to foster equity, empower change, and honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We reaffirm our commitment to Māori-led solutions, disruptive change, and the intergenerational wellbeing of our community. To learn more about our work, values, and impact, click here.