Key Takeaways
- Politicians from various parties were welcomed to Rātana Pa with a pōwhiri, where they were encouraged to listen to the concerns of Māori people.
- Māori leaders emphasized the importance of mana motuhake (self-governance) and kotahitanga (unity) in achieving the well-being of Māori communities.
- The recent storms and flooding in the North Island were discussed, with some politicians linking the disasters to climate change, while others were more skeptical.
- The Māori Queen’s new business investment platform, the Kotahitanga Fund, was highlighted as an example of innovative solutions to support Māori entrepreneurs and businesses.
- The hui at Rātana Pa symbolizes the importance of Māori unity and the need for politicians to listen to and work with Māori communities.
Introduction to Rātana Pa
Rātana Pa, a significant cultural and spiritual site for Māori people, recently hosted a gathering of politicians from various parties. The event was marked by a pōwhiri, a traditional Māori welcome, where politicians were encouraged to listen to the concerns of Māori people. Rahui Papa, a representative of the Kiingitanga, emphasized that the coalition government had done some good, but its relationship with Māori had been challenging. He stressed that Māori will work with any political party that prioritizes their well-being, regardless of the party’s color.
The Importance of Mana Motuhake
Papa highlighted the importance of mana motuhake, or self-governance, in achieving the well-being of Māori communities. He emphasized that economics is not the only consideration for Māori, and that the overarching purpose is still Tino Rangatiratanga and Mana Motuhake. Papa noted that there would be times when Māori need to work alongside the government, but also times when parliamentarians should not be involved in the resolution process. This approach requires a nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between Māori communities, the government, and the economy.
The Māori Queen’s Vision
The Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, was welcomed to Rātana Pa with a powhiri, along with Te Rangimaheu Te Heuheu, the new Ariki of Ngati Tuwharetoa. The Māori Queen’s new business investment platform, the Kotahitanga Fund, was highlighted as an example of innovative solutions to support Māori entrepreneurs and businesses. Waikato-Tainui leader Tuku Morgan emphasized the importance of Māori unity and the need for creative ways to work together to address the challenges facing Māori communities.
The Impact of the Recent Storms
The recent storms and flooding in the North Island were a significant topic of discussion at Rātana Pa. Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer linked the disasters to climate change, emphasizing the need for urgent action to protect vulnerable communities. Labour leader Chris Hipkins also acknowledged the role of climate change in the flooding, while NZ First leader Winston Peters was more skeptical. Peters acknowledged that the government had not done enough to prepare communities for such disasters, but also emphasized the need for clear plans to do better in the future.
The Hui at Rātana Pa
The hui at Rātana Pa symbolizes the importance of Māori unity and the need for politicians to listen to and work with Māori communities. Kamaka Manuel, spokesperson for the Tumuaki of the Rātana Church, acknowledged the whānau affected by the flooding and landslips, and emphasized the importance of kotahitanga (unity) in achieving the well-being of Māori communities. The hui also marked the 90th anniversary of the Labour Party’s connection with Rātana, with Chris Hipkins pointing to the gifts given by TW Rātana to Michael Joseph Savage, which represented the broken promises of the government to Māori.
The Role of Politicians
The politicians who attended the hui at Rātana Pa were encouraged to listen to the concerns of Māori people and to work with them to address the challenges facing Māori communities. Tama Potaka, representing National, thanked the hosts and paid tribute to the work done by the National government led by Jim Bolger. Winston Peters, representing NZ First, used his speech to attract votes, emphasizing the party’s record on supporting Māori. Chris Hipkins, representing Labour, pointed to the party’s connection with Rātana and emphasized the need for politicians to listen to and work with Māori communities.
Conclusion
The gathering at Rātana Pa highlights the importance of Māori unity and the need for politicians to listen to and work with Māori communities. The event emphasizes the complex relationships between Māori communities, the government, and the economy, and the need for nuanced approaches to address the challenges facing Māori communities. As the election approaches, politicians would do well to prioritize the concerns of Māori people and to work with them to achieve the well-being of Māori communities.