Kiingi Tuuheitia speaks at Tūrangawaewae Marae. Photo: RNZ / Ella Stewart
Kiingi Tuuheitia has thanked the estimated 10,000 people who answered his call to come together today to participate in a national hui at Tuurangawaewae Marae.
In his address he told those gathered that the turn out of Māori and non-Māori at the hui sent a strong message that the government would not be able to ignore
Ngā Hau e Whā, kia Kotahi ra, a short but powerful statement shared by Kiingi Tuuheitia signalling the Hui aa Motu would extend to the four winds to strengthen the movement.
He said the Hui aa Iwi would continue to evolve and announced it would also be travelling to Te Waipounamu (the South Island) and Te Tai Rāwhiti (the East Coast).
Kiingi Tuuheitia said the world was watching and the government would be foolish to underestimate what te ao Māori was capable of.
Indigenous nations across the globe were supporting the cause and the kohanga movement was shining through with a new generation of leaders, he said.
Thousands attended a nationwide hui at Tūrangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia, on 20 January, 2024. Photo: RNZ/ Ella Stewart
Read back on how the day unfolded here:
