An open letter of solidarity to the students of Freyberg High School has been signed by thousands of people across the country.
It follows the Palmerston North high school saying some of its students would go through a disciplinary process after performing a haka at ACT Party leader David Seymour on Thursday.
Students performed Ka Mate whilst the associate education minister was leaving the school to show they strongly disagree with ACT's policies towards Te Tiriti o Waitangi. A video shared online showed that at the conclusion of the haka, a student holding a tino rangatiratanga flag approached Seymour and spat at the ground by his feet.
The letter praises the students for showing leadership and honouring tikanga by standing with every hungry child and worried Māori parent in the country.
"Your stand has come with a price, and we also want to say: that price is unjust. It is colonial, it is biased, and it is designed to keep you down."
More than 7000 people have signed the live document including psychiatrist Hinemoa Elder and singer Ria Hall.
Wellington Regional Councillor Thomas Nash said lawyers got in touch with him to say they were keen to provide support to the students pro bono if needed.
RNZ has contacted Freyberg High School regarding what has been done as part of its disciplinary process.
RNZ
