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Protestors walk up Queen Street - Source: ONE News -
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For a city that does disunity well, the recent hikoi through Auckland's CBD provided some welcome relief.
Sure, it can be argued that a crowd of less than 7,000 does not speak for the region's 1.4 million people. Nor does it signal conclusive public opposition to Auckland becoming a super city, as proposed by a Royal Commission and now the intention of Government.
Where this hikoi really succeeded though, was in the powerful message it sent to policy makers in Wellington.
The bringing together of so many people on a cold, wet Monday demonstrated a solid core of support for Ngati Whatua's claim its people have been excluded from the reformation of Auckland.
And it is clear that support comes from many quarters - not only from within Maoridom. The hikoi was also an important social measure of the importance many Aucklander's place on fairness, being listened to, consulted and included.
City dwellers from all walks of life joined the hikoi. Its organisation saw thousands converge on assembly points around the city - the Domain, Bastion Point and Victoria Park.
Victoria Park was a hive of activity as preparations moved into top gear. There was a roaring trade in special commemorative 'Hikoi 09' tee shirts, which were snapped up at $10 a piece. Purchasers immediately donned the white tee's emblazoned with red and black Maori sovereignty colours. Voila - a uniform was born.
Teenagers, who had taken time off school, practiced timing and actions of manoeuvres they would perform leading the hikoi around to meet other groups who had marched to the bottom of Queen Street.
There was also a run through of chants to make sure responses were loud and accurate. "When the treaty is under attack, stand up fight back" was one of many practiced until perfect.
When it was time to go the crowd were told not to rush. The traffic was stopped as the hikoi snaked its way from Victoria Park and around to Fanshawe Street.
A fierce haka hailed the group's arrival at the bottom of Queen Street where all the hikoi groups joined together as one. There was plenty of raw energy and passion.
Police were good natured and patient. The rain failed to dampen spirits or the motivation for the hikoi.
The exclusion of local Maori from Auckland's proposed new supercouncil was a major talking point on the long, slow march up Queen Street.
Ngati Whatua began organising the hikoi in April, when government went against the Royal Commission's recommendation that local iwi hold up to three seats on a recommended new super council.
Ngati Whatua was incensed. It is, after all, an integral part of Auckland's history and gifted the bulk of land that Auckland was founded on. But the government said "No" to Maori representation 'as of right' and called instead for iwi to gain representation through the local body electoral process. The rest, as they say, is history &..
The hikoi that brought Auckland's CBD to a standstill is now part of that history.
Many Aucklander's who crossed its path have been moved by the hikoi's intensity and left contemplating what Auckland becoming a super city will really mean for them. It was an in-your-face reminder of the strength of 'people power' when the people stand up for what they believe in.
Post hikoi, the government has acknowledged there can be no fresh start for Auckland without agreement from Maori.
And while Ngati Whatua has been first to publicly challenge the process, others are sure to follow.
The challenge for government now is finding consensus and establishing the momentum that will be vital if Auckland is ever to become a recognised and successful super city.
