These volunteers arrived at 4:30 a.m. Ordinary New Zealanders are coming together with a common goal: helping tens of thousands of people have a voice in defense of the institutions that support our democracy and have guided New Zealand society for decades. This is the culture we all share – a culture rooted in care, solidarity and the determination to make our society better for all.

They put on their high visibility vests, stood at stations and guided traffic. They set up chairs and made sure the kaumātua were comfortable, safe and hydrated while they participated in the hikoi. Without them, without their willingness to give their time and help, this day would not have gone as well as it has.

They were the humble embodiment of the best of who we are as Kiwis. It is the willingness to support each other, to step in when help is needed, that makes Aotearoa a unique place. Their work made hikoi possible.

On behalf of New Zealanders, I would like to thank each and every one of them.

These great New Zealanders brought an unwavering commitment to the idea that all New Zealanders, Māori and non-Māori, deserve to be treated with respect, fairness and dignity. They brought something that is common in our country: a strong, intuitive sense of what basic decency looks like.

This willingness to engage, listen and be part of something bigger than ourselves is what makes these volunteers such valuable allies in the ongoing work to strengthen race relations in Aotearoa. At a time when some are fueling division, these volunteers have shown us the value of unity and community.

They remind us that building a fair and just society is not about waiting for experts or politicians to do the work, but about ordinary people choosing to stand up for the values ​​we all hold dear. That’s why I came out to listen and not to talk. It was their day, not mine.

The Act Party would have us believe that the Treaty is something that drives a wedge between Māori and non-Māori. They are wrong. The Treaty, as far as I am concerned, is what brings us together. It is the foundation on which we can build a fairer and more inclusive society.

We must continue to build bridges, not walls. We must listen, lead and celebrate the incredible contributions that Māori and non-Māori make to our society. The volunteers who stood out in the cold at 4:30 a.m. don’t wait for someone else to do this work, they do it themselves. It is up to all of us to follow their example.