Rachel's surprise announcement

The large crowd attending the March for Democracy last Saturday in Christchurch were surprised when Rachel Thomas and her young children took the stage to announce that they will be walking from Christchurch to Parliament to protest the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and to draw attention to the negative effects of corporate greed and putting money ahead of everything else are having on our environment and our communities and families.

"I am a mother of three beautiful children, Tema, Pita and Jai, and I am planning to Hikoi to Wellington with my children and the support of my partner Justin, It’s Our Future Christchurch and friends," says Rachel.

The Plan is to walk approximately 20 kms per day for 20 days. Starting Oct. 15, 2016 from Christchurch/Otautahi Cathedral Square and finishing in Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara, on Guy Fawkes weekend which is also the anniversary of Parihaka, a significant day in our history which inspired Gandhi to peaceful protest.

"My hope is to ignite a spark of compassion and discussion with communities as we walk through Canterbury and Marlborough and to raise awareness of the issues and implications this could have for future generations," says Rachel. "It’s not just our future, it's their future too."

"I strongly believe we need to unite and strengthen our communities, support those that are out there fighting to clean up our environment and save our climate and those supporting the whanau living in cars. This is all only going to worsen with the TPP."

Its Our Future Christchurch, which has led the Canterbury protests actions against the TPPA for the last 3 years, will organise and support Rachel's Hikoi. Hundreds of concerned citizens are expected to join the Hikoi in each community Rachel walks through. Its Our Future is working with the police to ensure walkers are safe.

"It is OK to say no to corporate greed which exploits our natural resources and increases poverty. I have chosen to lead by example and show my children and others too that it is OK to say what is right and what is wrong," says Rachel.

"It’s not just our future. It's their future too."

We would like to invite you to join Rachel and her children on the first leg to Kaiapoi or to farewell them from Otautahi, Cathedral Square.

Its Our Future Christchurch will provide regular progress reports and video interviews to the media as the Hikoi progresses.

Our Children's Future Hikoi - Hikoi Ma Nga Uri Whakatipu

Leaves Cathedral Square 10 am, Saturday 15 October, 2016

For interviews please contact:
Gen de Spa, 021 134 5802

Two photos attached.

Video clip links:

March for Democracy 10 Sept. Christchurch [5 min compilation]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gtDf03kV8U

Rachel and kids addressing March for Democracy [4 mins]

https://youtu.be/kM_yGyPKT8I

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