Members supported the Hīkoi during its 10-day journey from Te Rerenga Wairua/Cape Rēinga in the north and Waihōpi/Invercargill in the south. PSA BBQs in Waitohi/Picton and Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland at Takaparawhau/Bastion Point enabled members to share manaakitanga with the marchers. PSA Organiser Will Matthews was one among the PSA group at Takaparawhau as the Hīkoi was welcomed.
“We were incredibly proud to tautoko the Hīkoi and show that 96,000 community and public service workers stand in solidarity against attempts to divide Aotearoa. A lot of us were quite emotional watching the Hīkoi being welcomed - the energy on the whenua was palpable,” said Will.
“Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi, the PSA, is part of the movement to protect Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and we’re keen to keep contributing in any way we can.
“We’d also like to give a huge shout out to our comrades from E tū and the Tertiary Education Union who came along to help, allowing us to staff a crucial third manaaki station.”
PSA President Virgil Iraia joined the Hīkoi in Pōneke/Wellington. He said it was an “overwhelming” experience with many members waving PSA flags in the crowd, which was the largest protest crowd Parliament has ever seen.
“It was important for the PSA to be there because we acknowledge Te Tiriti o Waitangi, tangata whenua and our history. As public and community service workers every day we work to address the impact of historic underprovision to Māori which Te Tiriti was supposed to uphold, it’s foolish to think that forgetting this past is a way to build a fairer and more equal Aotearoa into the future.
“What’s next is the PSA, Sector Committees, Networks and Te Rūnanga will be making submissions. We encourage everyone to do the same. Have those conversations, push back and kill the Bill.”
PSA members can also make individual public submissions on the Treaty Principles Bill by 14 January 2025.