Toitu

Inspired by the hikoi in response to the Treaty Principles Bill, this story draws on the words of resilience and resistance that have inspired generations of Maori in the determination for our land, language and right to live as Maori and shape our own destiny. In the story, a koro and his moko join the hikoi to parliament and remember past actions and activists who marched for justice. In the march, there are many figures from many communities and many walks of life, but they all walk in the same direction, unified in a vision of the future in which people thrive. The words of the story inspire us to be resilient and remind us that we are not alone, and that in coming together we are powerful.

This is the Maori language version of Hikoi: A Maori Alphabet Book for Little (and Not-so-Little) Activists by Pania Tahau-Hodges.