walking . is . overrated

Apologies for not posting this sooner - some of you may have liked to be involved? Hopefully you are anyway. For updates on the Hikoi’s progress, check out The NZ Herald or search Twitter.

CCS Disability Action Northern Region will join the hikoi/march on Monday 25 May in support of IHI Action Group (Iwi Have Influence). This action group is leading the opposition to the establishment of Auckland Super City without reserved Maori seats as proposed by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Auckland Governance.

Linda-Lee Odom, Chairperson of the Local Advisory Committee of CCS Disability Action, Auckland believes that this is a great opportunity to show our support and make our partnership with Ngati Whatua and Orakei Marae one that counts.

“Like many people in Auckland, disabled people are worried about the impact a Super City will have on our lives and whether our voices will still be heard and so it is easy for us to support Tangata Whenua and the recommendations made by the Royal Commission for reserved Maori seats”, said Ms Odom.

CCS Disability Action recognises Maori as Tangata Whenua, and is committed to being in relationships with Hapu and Iwi so that we continue to develop our ability to support disabled Maori and their whanau.

Ms Odom says “this is a great opportunity to show our support of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our partnership with Ngati-Whatua. CCS Disability Action has a solid relationship with the people of Orakei Marae and Ngati-Whatua. Kaumatua/ Kuia have supported us in many ways enhancing the mana of the work we do, especially with disabled Maori and their whanau”.

Being mindful of access issues, CCS Disability Action supporters will be meeting at 10.30am at the corners of Commerce and Galway Streets, Central Auckland and then march together with everyone up Queen Street to the Town Hall.