Te Tiriti is for all of us. It allows non-Māori to make a home here and reaffirms the pre-existing rights that Māori have as the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa. Te Tiriti protects us all. It protects te taiao, our lands, waters and taonga. So, not surprisingly, political parties representing the wealthy few want to seek to remove protections that Te Tiriti enables, for further exploitative and extractive economies.
Para Kore champion Sam Te Tau at the Te Tiriti hīkoi in Pōneke
A treaty is between two parties, so the fact that the Treaty Principles Bill was deliberately developed without Māori consultation is evidence of paternal white supremacy and pervasive colonial behaviours within our current government.
If you are Tangata Tiriti we urge you to become anti-colonial through these steps:
First, get educated on the history of our country, and the local place where you live. Learn the local names and stories of the awa, the maunga, the tūpuna, the marae. Read the local Waitangi Tribunal report if there is one, and teach your children and friends these local stories.
Second, at work, at home, and in your networks – start advocating, promoting and protecting Te Tiriti. Educate Pākehā friends, and commit to being an ally for Māori aspirations. Call out normalised but racist colonial systems. Share, like and comment on social media posts; make submissions.
Third, with humbleness, build your Māori cultural capability as an individual, at work and in your community. Learn te reo Māori, waiata, karakia, Māori protocols and tikanga.
Fourth, strengthen whanaungatanga and kotahitanga. Go to the local kōhanga reo fundraiser. If Māori are holding a public event – turn up. If there are Tiriti workshops – be there. Show your face; be kanohi kitea. Volunteer; give your time – do the dishes. Employ, contract, procure Māori.
Finally, whenever possible, share and cede power and resources to mana whenua, hapū. Share what you have – whether it’s money, resources, landback, or authority. Create more space for Māori leadership, especially wāhine Māori leadership.