RIDERS on horseback stole the show on their way to the national hui at Tūrangawaewae
HORSES at the national hui at Turangawaewae came from Kāwhia, Aotea and along the coast, an organiser of the ride, Josh Morgan says.
About 30 horses joined the ride, with most of the riders saddling up at a park about 3 kilometres away from the marae.
“I had a couple of my horses there, but it was all friends. A lot of them were Tuaupikis from out the coast and often from Kāwhia and Taharoa,” he said.
“So, we all got together for a bit of a political ride.
“We weren’t only riding to honour the treaty, but to honour the horses. They were the first land transport here in New Zealand.”
The horses proved popular entertainment for children seeking a break from the hui proceedings.
“It was a fun day. All the parents were bringing their kids over for rides, just leading them around.”
More than 10,000 people attended the hui, called by Kīngi Tuheitia in reaction to the coalition government’s policies on te reo and the Treaty of Waitangi.
The marae capacity of 7000 was overwhelmed, with thousands more visitors outside watching the hui on screens.
The main organisers of the ride were Richard Tuaupiki, Kevin Brown, Roy Brown, Josh’s older brother, Eruera Morgan, Wiremu Wilson, Mas King and Te Whao Huirama Wilson.
“Te Whao is a farrier, and I have been shoeing horses for years for riding on the road,” Josh said.
“A lot of them already have pretty conditioned feet. We just rode there 3ks and then rode back, that’s all we did.
“A couple of Roy Brown’s lot rode their horses all the way back from Ngāruawāhia to Huntly.”
Te Whao got his photo in the NZ Herald, Josh said. His brother and son appeared on The Spinoff, and made an appearance on television.
“It was a pretty positive day really. They had the Mongrel Mob and Black Power sitting side by side, no one was fighting,” Josh said.
“We got comments those horses were better than the Harleys coming in. We stole the show.”
There would have been about 10 more riders, but the hui coincided with the Marokopa Sports day.
“The brother was saying might have started a bit of a movement now.
“We are looking at going to Waitangi. We are planning the next ride.”
