I didn’t grow up learning about Te Tiriti, but I found out later on in life that it underpins our entire nation.
Prior to 1840, the British were struggling to ensure that their people visiting our shores behaved themselves — and when they didn’t, it put our relationships, including trade, in jeopardy. The 500-plus rangatira who signed Te Tiriti gave the British the ability to establish governance over their people here, so that everyone could live in peace and continue to seek prosperity together. That’s how so many people from around the world came to call this beautiful place home.
While Te Tiriti o Waitangi offered the generous invitation for newcomers to find a sense of belonging in Aotearoa, it also affirmed that Māori would continue to govern ourselves. As we had for thousands of years, according to our own laws, language and ways of being. Despite successive governments disrespecting Te Tiriti (the original document was literally left in a basement, and eaten by rats which explains the torn edges), Māori still believe in the promise of the agreement that so many of our ancestors thoughtfully signed.
But lately, you might have heard all sorts of mistruths, and divisive rhetoric from decision-makers about Te Tiriti. There has been a raft of law changes that undermine or breach the commitments that were agreed to nearly 200 years ago. Each one chews away at the relationship between Māori and the Crown, taking us backwards on the clear progress we have made together over previous decades.
Which is why so many of us joined in kotahitanga during the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti. Well over 100,000 gathered around the country to show that we respect our founding document. Nearly 300,000 have signed a petition opposing the Treaty Principles Bill. Many of us love what Te Ao Māori offers - the haka, the spirituality and the deep connection to the natural world.
If Māori don’t have the rights guaranteed through Te Tiriti, then we can’t protect the taonga (treasures) that are precious to us.
Plus, we haven’t fully restored the imbalance that colonisation caused.
It’s not a coincidence that Māori die seven years younger than non- Māori, and we are overrepresented in every negative statistic you can think of. If you’ve worked in health, justice, statistics or education - then you might have noticed this too. Te Tiriti offers us a pathway forward to rebalance the scales and find solutions that often end up helping everyone.
Over the coming month, we have a chance to show how important Te Tiriti is to all of us. Two actions you can take right now are: make a submission opposing the Treaty Principles Bill before January 7, and put a sign or sticker up to show you’re Together for Te Tiriti. We’ve provided tools and resources at togetherfortetiriti.nz. Karawhiua e hoa mā, let’s honour Te Tiriti together.
Kassie Hartendorp (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) is the Director of ActionStation, and member of the PSA. She is a former youth worker and advocate for equal pay. She currently focuses on Te Tiriti and economic justice.