Over 500 protestors came together near the Bridge of Remembrance on Saturday in opposition to Julian Batchelor’s Stop Co-Governance street march.

An Anti-Fascist Ōtautahi spokesperson said “members of the community shared kai and a cuppa, sang waiata, listened to inspirational kōrero and held signs as a show of support for our Māori community and the values of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

“We are opposed to Julian’s anti-Māori racism, and spreading of disinformation about co-governance.

We are also opposed to Julian’s historic hatred towards our rainbow community.”

“Batchelor claims the country is engaged in a “war” against “elite Māori” and co-governance will lead to “tribal rule”. At today’s event he described Aotearoa New Zealand as being “like Nazi Germany”.  

The spokesperson said “participants at multiple locations during Julian Batchelor’s speaking tour were aggressive towards Māori.”

Police lined Cashel Mall separating both groups of protestors.

Batchelor claims “co-governance is code for the takeover of New Zealand by tribal companies and their representatives, the end of democracy, the installation of apartheid and separatism into everyday life, leading eventually to full-blown government by tribal rule.”

But a speaker at the event said Batchelor was using anti co-governance as a vehicle to spread misinformation and racist rhetoric against Māori.

“Mr Batchelor is also whipping his supporters up into a frenzy and making them believe Co-Governance is the big bad wolf. When the reality is, Co-Governance is not something to be afraid of.

“Co governance is about representation, it’s allowing Māori to have a voice about matters that concern us, in our communities.

The racist rhetoric that Mr Batchelor and the Stop Co-Governance tour is contributing to is an environment where racists are emboldened to write to the n word on Māori party signs and mayors attempt to eradicate Te Reo Māori. That is not okay.”

Human rights activist Josie Butler said “I really worry that the hate, fear, and division that Julian Batchelor is preaching will lead to violence towards our Māori whanau.

“This is of particular concern in Ōtautahi Christchurch where we have already had a terror attack fueled by similar sentiments of hate and white supremacy.”

Our Māori culture is one of aroha (love), manaakitanga (uplifting the mana of all), whakawhanaungatanga (creating connections and community) – it is beautiful, not only for Māori but for all kiwis.”