Waitangi Day is a public holiday in New Zealand and marks the anniversary of the initial signing of the ‘Treaty of Waitangi’ on 6 February 1840, a document that was meant to provide equality, but has fallen short in many ways. The truth is that there is a lot of controversy around the treaty even now and I’m often a little nervous to even acknowledge it for fear of hurting Maori any deeper than they have already been hurt. But if movies (and life) have taught us anything it’s that silence rarely achieves anything beyond deepening wounds and allowing them to fester. So I’m going to give talking about it a try.
If you’ve looked at my profile you’ll quickly see that I am pakeha (a non-Maori New Zealander) and because of that I’ve been afforded privileges that Maori haven’t always been given. It’s not right, but like it or not it’s true. Because of the privilege I’ve been given it’s my responsibility to extend that same privilege where and when I can. So in acknowledging my privilege I want to elevate the tangata whenua (local people) who originally settled the land where I live. I live in Te Awamutu (end of the navigable way or the rivers end) a small town in the Waipā District (Waikato Region). The Waipā Iwi can (mostly) trace their ancestry to Tāwhao, a direct descendant of Hoturoa the captain of the Tainui Waka (canoe) which came to Aotearoa (New Zealand) from Hawaikii (via Kawhia). The majority of Iwi in the Waikato are Waikato/Tainui, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Koroki/Kahukura, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Apakura, Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Hikairo, and Ngāti Mahanga. Te Awamutu in particular has been home to the first Maori King, Potatau Te Wherowhero of Ngati Mahuta, Te Rauparaha of Ngati Toa, Kawhia, and Hongi Hika, a Ngapuhi Chief from the north, who played a significant role in Waikato history. All that to say Te Awamutu has been (and still is) home to strong, intelligent people who have used their skills and abilities to affect change. With Waitangi upon us I think that many Kiwi’s are wanting to see a positive change for all New Zealanders, especially Maori, because being a unified country means ensuring that to the best of our ability every voice is heard. I think Hawira Karaitiana said it best when they said “Honoring the Treaty can be as simple as supporting treaty education in schools, reading and improving knowledge of nz history, learning te reo or simply making a genuine attempt to say māori names correctly.” None of that is hard, essentially it’s a matter of treating every New Zealander as though they are someone you love or at the very least, care for. Listen. Learn. Be compassionate and kind. Be slow to anger and frustration. Do your best to use people’s preferred names, and acknowledge culture. New Zealand is an incredible country full of awesome people, but we have so much room to grow and the best way to do that is together. I want to thank the Maori men, woman, and even children who have given me grace when I have turned up imperfectly, who have been patient when my pronunciation is bad, and who have treated me as an extensions their family, I hope that I have showed love as graciously as you have. The Instagrammers below are some of my favourite Maori influencers, they provide quality content and/or products, while educating, encouraging, and caring for their audiences. @moniquebarry_ @whanaukai @tukunatereo @noa_essentials @themaoribasics @maimoa.creative @moremaori Thank you for taking the time to read about Waitangi I pray that my words are kind, informative, and honour all the cultures that reside in New Zealand. I also pray that this long weekend be one of connection and community for you and your whānau. God bless Karla References worth checking out:
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Karla RoseI'm a Christian, a wife, and a mother of two living in the wonderful Waikato Archives
April 2021
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