GE FREE LAND MARCH
Media Update 2/10/01, 15:00

The GE Free Land March was launched in Kaitaia on Monday morning.

Before taking off at 10 a.m., the organizers held a rally which was well attended by the local population. People signed banners to express their support for a GE Free Aotearoa. These banners, together with many other banners which have been signed over the past few weeks, will be used to wrap the Auckland town hall on Saturday, October 6th, and later the beehive.

Approximately 75 people, including a strong contingent from the local iwi then started the Hikoi to Mangamuka, 40 km away. They are carrying the Tohu, a flag specially designed and made for the event. The Tohu symbolizes the seeds of life and it will be carried all the way to Wellington.

There was plenty of support from people along the way and the fine weather put everyone in the right mood.

The night was spent at Mangamuka Marae and dinner was donated by organic growers from the area.

Day 2
A group of people from Kerikeri joined the march today on its second leg to Whakapara.

Today’s stretch is the longest distance of the whole march, which ends on October 31st at parliament in Wellington.
But the atmosphere on the march is excellent and spirits are high. "We are covering the 97 km with 3 teams. This effort has really given us a spirit of unity and lifted our determination" says one of the organizers.

The Hikoi will stay at Whakapara marae tonight before taking off to Whangarei tomorrow, where there will be a rally at the town centre at 1 p.m. In the afternoon, the march will carry on to Kaiwaka.

The Hikoi will pass through Auckland on the 5th and 6th of October and will reach Wellington on 31st October.

The Path of the Hikoi
On Wednesday, October 3rd, the march will carry on along SH 1 to Whangarei, where there will be a public rally at 1 p.m., and then on to Kaiwaka.

From Kaiwaka it passes through Wellsford where it leaves SH 1 and turns on to SH 16 to arrive at Kaukapakapa on Thursday evening.

On Friday, October 5th the march heads back to SH1 and then south to Devonport on Auckland's North Shore. Here the Tohu will be carried across the harbour by the Pupuke Moana Club. The Waka flotilla will be leaving Devonport at 3 p.m. and arrive at the Viaduct Basin at 4 p.m.

On October 6th, the National Day of Action of the GE Free movement, the Hikoi will march from QE II Square at 11 a.m. to join the wrapping of the Town Hall at noon.

On October 7th the GE Free Land March will continue south via Hamilton, Rotorua, Taupo, Palmerston North to Wellington.

Contact in Auckland (09) 361 2520, mgraf@ihug.co.nz or 025 604 5872 to contact the Hikoi directly.

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