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Protestors walk up Queen Street - Source: ONE News -
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The battle over the government's plan for an Auckland super city hit the city's streets on Monday.
The CBD ground to a halt as around 6000 people converged from
across auckland to join the hikoi organised by local
iwi.
They sent a strong message to the government.
It was a sight Auckland hasn't seen for a while and the message was clearly directed at Wellington.
Iwi from across the region converged on Queen Street, a human wave of opposition to Maori being denied seats on Auckland's proposed new super council.
They marched from the city's east while others came in convey from the north, west and Manukau south.
"We don't want that one city. We want to have our say," says one protester.
Banners reading "No Super City Without Us", "Don't delete Maori seats", "John's taking our key" and "Move aside Rodney Hide, give us back our Maori pride" were thrust upward as marchers sang and shouted and walked peacefully, but with determination.
"Not just about numbers, about the passion and passion certainly there for maori representation," says Hone Harawira, Maori Party MP.
Hundreds assembled at rallying points around the city's edges where special t-shirts were on sale and protest chants were practised.
Spirits were high but wet weather saw a lower than expected turnout. Even so, some motorists weren't happy with the delays.
"I think it's crazy. We're all Kiwis," says one driver.
But Maori say if that's the case they should be given seats on the new council. And many agreed, Nick Wells one of many who spontaneously joined the lunchtime protest.
"I'm taking off my suit and putting on my t-shirt and having my
say," says Wells, joining in the march.
The march brought the city to a halt, those who weren't marching
taking it all in.
"I think there's an injustice going on, being we're Maori
people, we're from this land, says one protester.
Another says she thinks the super city is a joke.
Police said the protesters were well behaved.
It was the first real measure of opposition to Auckland as super city and a signal that there's still plenty left in this fight.
