The Hīkoi Has You Charged Up But The Work Starts Now

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The hīkoi in Auckland. (Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham Farrelly)

The hīkoi mō te Tiriti was the calling card, a start, a bringing people together from across the nation so that the work can now begin.

Why?

The Act party is already rallying it's members around the messages it wants to flood the select committee with. It is here they think they can insert their divisive messages. Act, David Seymour, and his backers (notably Atlas, but also other foreign neoliberal billionaires) are willing to play the long game, this is merely the start for them.

Having said that, I suspect they've probably taken a small step back due to the sheer amount of people saying, "No, we do not accept this" culminating in today's 45,000+ show of will, but that won't mean anything in the coming weeks.

Tomorrow the hard work starts.

Let's not get too work-y though, first up something simple, add you voice to the Stop the Treaty Principles Bill - TOITŪ TE TIRITI!! petition which is, as I write this, at 250,738 signatures, more than the total number of Act voters, now that's what I call a mandate. Sign it.

Then we do a submission to a select committee - have you done that before, no, nor me. But I've had a quick look and it's very simple.

When?

The closing date for submissions is 11.59pm Tuesday, 7 January 2025. Let's not wait though eh.

What?

So, to make a submission we need to know five things:
  1. Submissions are made via the website or post.
  2. Use English or te reo Māori.
  3. Submissions are publicly released and published on the Parliament website. 
  4. If you're sharing private or personal info discuss this with the clerk first.
  5. Be blunt, be honest, but no swearing. Also no racist material, particularly overt racism and characterising people as racist.
What do I write? Best advice I've seen is:
Remember, it doesn't have to be a thousand pages long: there will be any number of submissions from historical and legal experts for that. Just tell them you oppose (or support) it. Seymour says he wants a national conversation. Let's all make sure he gets it.

 Also:

the Justice Committee states that the committee will not accept:

- racist material, particularly overt racism and characterising people as racist

How and where?

All good. So, how to do it:
  1. (optional) Background reading incl. the bill
  2. Make your submission
    1. Individual or Organisation? Wanna do a verbal?
    2. Name, contact details.
    3. What are your comments? What are your recommendations?
      (you can pre-write these in a doc and upload them if you want)
    4. Check details, submit
  3. Voila!

Who?

You. Me. Everybody!

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