Key Takeaways
- The relationship between Māori and the Government is considered "pretty fractured" by Waikato-Tainui leader Tuku Morgan.
- The Government has made many Māori feel "pushed into a corner" by changes to policies and legislation affecting Māori.
- Māori communities are looking for a "fair shake" and the ability to make decisions that are best for their people.
- The Māori Queen has launched a new business investment fund, the "Kotahitanga Fund", to support Māori entrepreneurs and regional development.
- The Rātana celebrations mark the beginning of the political year and will feature speeches from politicians, including senior National ministers.
Introduction to the Rātana Celebrations
The Rātana celebrations, which mark the birthday of the spiritual movement’s founder, are widely considered to be one of the first events of the political year. This year, thousands of people are expected to travel to the small Rātana settlement near Whanganui to attend the event. The celebrations will feature speeches from politicians, including senior National ministers Nicola Willis and Tama Potaka, as well as a pōwhiri at 3pm. However, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will not be in attendance, as he is visiting flood-affected communities on the East Coast.
The Māori-Government Relationship
The temperature of the Māori-Government relationship will be on display during the Rātana celebrations. According to Waikato-Tainui leader Tuku Morgan, the relationship is "pretty fractured" and there is an increasing "sense of urgency" to address it. Morgan stated that Māori communities have been "marginalised and minimised" by the Government’s changes to policies and legislation affecting Māori. This has led to a sense of unity among Māori communities, who are looking for innovative ways to survive in the long term.
Government Policies and Legislation
The Government has consistently rejected the charge that its policies and legislation are anti-Māori. However, many Māori feel that the Government’s changes have pushed them into a corner. Morgan cited the demolition of key pieces of legislation as an example of this. In response, the Māori Queen has launched the "Kotahitanga Fund", a multimillion-dollar business investment fund aimed at supporting Māori entrepreneurs and strengthening regional development and global partnerships.
Māori Advocacy and Voting Power
The Rātana celebrations will also focus on the general election on November 7 and how Māori can make the most of their voting power and advocacy for important key issues. Morgan emphasized that Māori communities are looking for a "fair shake" and the ability to make decisions that are best for their people. He also noted that Māori are increasingly wise about political strategy and can see through rhetoric to what is real. This sense of political savvy will likely play a significant role in the upcoming election.
Prime Minister’s Comments
Last year, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke at Rātana, referencing the founder’s interest in improving the lives of Māori. Luxon stated that the Government is interested in outcomes that improve lives for Māori and all New Zealanders, and that it is ultimately about the future of all children and grandchildren. However, Morgan’s comments suggest that the Government’s actions have not always aligned with its words, and that Māori communities are still seeking a more equitable relationship with the Government.
Conclusion
The Rātana celebrations mark an important event in the political year, and this year’s gathering will be closely watched as a indicator of the relationship between Māori and the Government. With the general election on the horizon, Māori communities are looking to make the most of their voting power and advocacy for key issues. The launch of the "Kotahitanga Fund" is a significant development in this context, and it will be interesting to see how the Government responds to the concerns and aspirations of Māori communities in the coming months.
