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Protestors walk up Queen Street - Source: ONE News -
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Auckland city has long tested the relationship between Pakeha and Maori and many Maori activists have risen to prominence in pursuit of this issue.
Monday's hikoi has thrown up a new face for Maori activism. Ngarimu Blair, 32, was the organiser behind the march.
Blair kept a handle on his first hikoi, in a situation that could have got out of control as thousands of people gathered.
As Heritage and Resource Manager for Ngati Whatua, Blair is well aware of the history that runs between his iwi and the city of Auckland.
"We had agreements, the Treaty of Waitangi, my great granddad and his dad who signed the treaty and his little brother who tried to work with councils said 'let us in to your council, its evil having separate councils,'" says Blair.
Blair says 150 years on, the answer is still 'no' to Maori representatives on the council.
"I guess we are walking in the footsteps of not just from 78 but from 1840, 1860. Every generation has to stand up," says Blair.
It seems the old time protesters are more than happy to step aside for the younger generation.
"Our role is to get behind the younger people, because they got to carry this for the next 20 years," says Joe Hawke Ngati Whatua Kaumatua.
That seems to be a responsibility Blair's generation is ready for.
Monday marked 31 years to the day when protesters were evicted from Bastion Point and although many of Monday's marchers weren't even born then, they continue with the legacy, ka whawhai tonu matou - we will fight on.
"One day my grandkids might get them, but we got to carry on the fight," says Blair.
But he says this fight has only just begun.
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