Life And Society / Language

Reo Māori advocate walks SH 35 to raise awareness post-cyclone

12:44 pm on 14 March 2023

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A staunch reo Māori advocate and social media influencer from the East Coast is walking from Gisborne to Hicks Bay of damaged State Highway 35 to raise awareness and money for cyclone-hit areas.

Much of the coast has been cut off since Cyclone Gabrielle tore through - with bridges collapsing, slips cutting off roads and some still unable to get to school and work.

Māni Dunlop spoke to Te Aorere Pāwhairangi from Tokomaru Bay on day 2 of his journey - on what he is calling Waewae The 35 - and asked him what prompted him to walk his whenua.