Te hīkoi mō te Tiriti has made waves on the world stage, with many weighing in on how the march is being viewed overseas - and the tautoko is overwhelming.
The nine-day march for the protection of Te Tiriti o Waitangi is in its final 24 hours as it heads towards Parliament in Wellington on November 19th.
Over the weekend, many Americans showed their aroha and tautoko on TikTok after footage of Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke of Te Pāti Māori challenging the Treaty Principles Bill went viral.
It captured the attention of TikToker @marilynistryingtofocus, who called the moment “incredibly powerful.”
“When she slow ripped that bill in the New Zealand Parliament and then went into the haka [I got] full body chills,” she said. “The chanting, the hand movements, the stomping - you can feel the pride, the passion, the unity.”
It is so beautiful and so moving and incredibly powerful.
A third TikToker, @love_theperson, wiped away their tears as they took to TikTok saying: “I love you Māori folk for real.”
“You guys are amazing,” they added, struggling to find the words to describe their emotions.
In a follow-up video, they explained they had been learning about Te hīkoi mō te Tiriti through Māori creators online and multiple Māori news outlets.
“I’m gonna follow along with what goes on in Parliament, and on Tuesday, I’m gonna be watching,” they said.
I’m standing with y’all spiritually, we’re standing with y’all.
They also shared an Our Action Station petition with over 100,000 signatures to stop the Treaty Principles Bill.
Many Māori have flooded the comments to express their aroha for the support coming from the other side of the world.
“What your feeling is the wairua, aroha and mana of our people, ancestors and whenua 🖤🤍❤️nga mihi e hoa 🙏✨,” one commented.
Another agreed: “Your spirit heard the call 🥰 you felt the wairua and mana of the haka because that same energy/your ancestors, exist in you as well ❤️.”
“I have 😭 tears from your support 💕 Thank you,” added a third. “Toitu Te Tiriti.”
The support continues to grow as te Hīkoi mō te Tiriti make their way to Pāremata on Tuesday.
