An anti-racism hikoi in New Plymouth is reaching its end today, but Mayor Andrew Judd hopes it sparks a nationwide conversation about Māori Pākehā relations.
Hundreds participated in the three day march, which was organised to show support for Mr Judd after he announced he wouldn’t be standing for the mayoralty again due to the abuse he received for championing Māori issues.
Mr Judd believes Pākehā have an inherent privilege and need to understand that if Aotearoa is to become a more harmonious society.
"If we don't, we'll always have what we’ve always had, which is something that's not working,” says Mr Judd.
“I know that because a simple question was put to my community around inclusiveness and got a reaction that was telling of who and where we're at as a country.
“That has to change and it needs to be done in a respectful, peaceful tolerant way."
Since he announced he would not be seeking re-election Mr Judd has been inundated with support from around the country.
Mr Judd says while the support has been uplifting, it had not changed his mind. He believes running for Mayor again would cause divisions and do more harm than good. "This is beyond a mayoralty, this is really about who are we as New Zealanders. What conversations have you had in your house? Your workplace? With yourself even?”
“Consider what I put forward on the journey that I've taken as a New Zealander whose ideas of the past were clouded by having a colonial upbringing."
The hikoi will finish up at the historical community of Parihaka later today which Mr Judd says is fitting due to its historical significance as a place of peace in the face of gross injustices by early European settlers.
A 1996 report by the Waitangi tribunal states the settlement of Parihaka was once one of the largest and most prosperous Māori villages in New Zealand.
It was seized by the Government in 1881 to turn into farmland for European settlers.
The community was notable for its non-violent resistance to the land confiscation. When government forces, led by the Native Affairs minister, arrived at the gates of the undefended settlement they were confronted by more than 250 dancing children.
The peaceful resistance was led by the Māori chiefs and spiritual leaders Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kakahi, who were both arrested.
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