H.O.T. - Hikoi Of Truth - one wahine's short journey

OCTOBER 26th-27th 2021

Last night a Hikoi Of Truth (HOT) traveled from Rotorua (and many from much farther) – destination Waitangi. Five vehicles that I know of represented my part of the Waikato region. I am sure there were many others. We met up with the Hikoi at Huntly and proceeded in powerful single file north.

At the Mercer ‘border’ many (unsure if all) were diverted down a slip road by way of traffic trucks totally blocking the road north (and more had to stop on the motorway). In hindsight perhaps a critical error was made by the lead vehicles when they allowed the diversion… perhaps if they just parked up on SH1, today we’d be telling a different story about our southern travellers.

Reports said kaumātua went through and were stopped further north at Bombay (at the time of writing all reports are unverified, just what we were told among the Mercer group we were with). Also other kaumātua were apparently given safe passage earlier in the day. Hurrah!

Two of our carloads decided to return home at about 3am after about hours of waiting and observing. So much learning and observations came from our experience. Here are some things I want to share:

1. There is no ‘success’ or ‘failure’. There is always learning, practice and attempts. Perseverance, positivity and gumption are what is needed at this time in history.
   
2. I listened within and practiced discernment to decide whether or not to join this Hikoi. I felt peaceful and excited about the possibilities. I believe this is an incredibly important step in our nation’s journey. I still felt this when we were diverted. I did not allow fear or doubt to take hold, nor anger, division, or frustration. I listened to my soul, observed, and took my lead from within. I stayed tuned in. I will always maintain that I was meant to participate in this, and to exit when we did. No regret, no what-if’s… fully in purpose.
3. When I heard that our kaumātua were through, I felt peace at the decision a few long hours later to return home. Our role in this was to show our support and stand in unity, and represent our community. We did this by showing up and getting as far as we did. Some important personal moments happened which I’d like to share:
   

KOHA

Incredible koha by way of fuel money and kai were offered to us by those in our network. We got to share most of the kai and it was gratefully received. 

The gift of giving is powerful, as we all have a part to play in spreading love and light. It is a privilege to represent those I have connected with over recent months. We all have different roles to play in this. But the most important to recognise is that every piece of the puzzle is critical and of equal importance to the other pieces. Strong together. Aroha, care, unity.

KEEP TURNING HEADS AND SOWING SEEDS

I stoked up my brave and walked up to the police line and invited one policeman to take a letter written to provide another side to this story we see unfolding. He took it and looked at it. He folded it up and tucked it into his uniform. As the hours progressed and we witnessed true leadership by one of my new friends as he represented with honour. 

The police spokesperson he was addressing, and who responded was the same man I had given my document to. I trust that he may unfold and read this letter soon. Seed planted!

BUTTERFLY EFFECT

When I gave out my first letter, another officer nearby asked what it was about and I offered to read it to him. He invited me to. I read it and he listened. At the end my friend and I talked with him at length, he shared his story and we shared ours. 

We did not have any disagreements, just a connected, open kōrero. It was a wonderful calm conversation and my friend and I shone love and light. This officer said he had joined the force to help people and could see that there were issues afoot with the current situation. Seed planted!

Later in the evening/morning, after observing the situation and finding our discernment about what to do next, my friend approached this same policeman and asked if we were being held or if we were free to go (the road south was open to us). They had another positive conversation and when we were told we were free to go. He said he was having goosebumps while conversing with us. I believe his soul was stirring.

IT'S ALL ABOUT CONNECTION

I connected with a few important people who were on this journey and saw some significant situations play out. I felt privileged to be in the presence of what I saw unfold. I did not feel it was my place to step to the front, but I was in the right place at the right time to take some small actions that had significant flow-on effects.

We may never know what the impact will be on these seemingly small events. But I understand the butterfly effect. Or the ripple effect. One small droplet, one small butterfly… can trigger large scale effect.

The lesson here is that to show up however we feel called to, to contribute however we feel we must... be brave… listen to your soul, your intuition. If you feel fear, cast it down and find the excitement. Re-frame our thoughts. We control our thoughts… they do not control us.

For me, I make a conscious choice each day, each moment to choose excitement, not fear.  

In this situation I felt intense excitement about having the opportunity to simply be present and observe an historical moment. Finding my brave in that moment… was incredibly powerful. Bring on the next opportunity to step into brave. 

UPDATE - 29 October 2021

As our whanau at Mercer remain in place, holding the line, standing up in love and unity, our nation gets behind them as do souls all over the world. And so, I see that this group have made a more powerful impact on getting the message of Aroha, unity, freedom for all, than even if they had arrived at Waitangi. All power and love to those who remain at the border. You are each, we are each HISTORY MAKERS. 

Our freedoms will not come easily. They will not come if we stay hidden and quiet. They will not come if we remain divided. Our freedoms WILL come when we stand together, when we kneel together, when we show manaakitanga.