One of the banners which was front and centre of the hīkoi in November has been gifted over to Dame Tariana Turia.
It was handed over by one of the hīkoi organisers, Te Rawhitiroa Bosch, after Ngāpuhi kaumatua, Hone Sadler, gave a speech.
It was seen earlier being out-front of the marae before being brought in during the pōwhiri this morning.
Well before handing it over, it was rolled up to be easily exchanged during Eru-Kapa Kingi speech.
Later, during the second pōwhiri, where Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Opposition leader Chris Hipkins joined to pay their respects, the banner was hung up on the side, clearly visible to everyone attending.
Alongside the political leaders were National’s Nicola Willis, Tama Potaka, Louise Upston, and Mark Mitchell, as well as former Prime Minister Sir Bill English. Representing Labour were Carmel Sepuloni, Willie Jackson, and Cushla Tangaere‑Manuel, alongside kaumatua Ken Kennedy. Shane Jones also appeared to represent NZ First.
The Green Party paid their respects the day previously
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, co-leader of Te Pāti Māori, who has been at the tangi since day one, said Tairua was “a woman who lived with intention. She was a woman who never ever forgot her roots, who she was here to serve, and made sure we never forgot that as well.”
The gifted banner had “Toitū Te Tiriti me Te Whakaputanga” written on it, with both the Tinorangatira flag and Te Wakaminenga o nga Hapu o Nu Tireni flag being represented on either side.
It was seen at many key points throughout the hīkoi with it crossing the harbour bridge, stretching across two lanes.
It was carried by many over the nine day hīkoi, which saw huge numbers gather in all the cities it was in.
During the march, Ngātiwai leader Aperahama Edwards was the main person who walked in front of it for all of the days.
According to police over 42,000 people attended in Wellington but that number has been disputed on multiple occasions.
