Key Takeaways:
- Politicians from various parties were welcomed to Rātana Pa with a pōwhiri, marking the beginning of the election year
- Māori leaders emphasized the importance of mana motuhake and self-determination, while also acknowledging the need for collaboration with the government
- The recent storms and flooding in the North Island were a major topic of discussion, with some leaders linking the disasters to climate change
- The Māori Queen’s new business investment platform, the Kotahitanga Fund, was highlighted as an example of Māori innovation and self-sufficiency
- The hui at Rātana Pa symbolizes the importance of Māori unity and the need for collective action to address the challenges facing Māori communities
Introduction to Rātana Pa
The Rātana Pa, a significant cultural and spiritual site for Māori, recently hosted a gathering of politicians from various parties, including Labour, National, and Te Pāti Māori. The event marked the beginning of the election year, with Māori leaders emphasizing the importance of mana motuhake and self-determination. Kiingitanga representative Rahui Papa welcomed the politicians, stating that Māori will be willing to work with any party, but also emphasized the need for the Crown to respect Māori autonomy and decision-making. Papa noted that the day after the election, November 8, is the same date that Tahupotiki Wiremu Rātana received his vision, highlighting the significance of the event.
Māori Perspectives on the Election
Māori leaders, including Waikato-Tainui leader Tuku Morgan, emphasized the need for Māori to take control of their own destiny and not rely solely on the government for support. Morgan pointed to the Māori Queen’s new business investment platform, the Kotahitanga Fund, as an example of Māori innovation and self-sufficiency. He also acknowledged the challenges faced by Māori under the current government, stating that the relationship between the Crown and Māori had become "pretty fractured." Morgan emphasized the importance of Māori unity and collective action to address the challenges facing Māori communities. The Kotahitanga Fund, a multimillion-dollar venture, aims to provide funding for Māori entrepreneurs and businesses, promoting economic development and self-sufficiency.
The Impact of the Recent Storms
The recent storms and flooding in the North Island were a major topic of discussion, with some leaders linking the disasters to climate change. Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer stated that the flooding drove home the seriousness of the climate crisis and the need to future-proof vulnerable communities. Labour leader Chris Hipkins also acknowledged the impact of climate change, stating that the flooding was an undeniable consequence of climate change. However, NZ First leader Winston Peters dismissed some of the "alarmism" linking the flooding to climate change, stating that the government had not done enough to prepare communities for such disasters. The Greens’ co-leader Marama Davidson emphasized the need for the government to invest in infrastructure to protect communities from extreme weather events.
Political Party Representatives
Politicians from various parties attended the gathering, including Labour leader Chris Hipkins, National’s Tama Potaka and Nicola Willis, and NZ First leader Winston Peters. Hipkins spoke about the importance of the Labour Party’s connection with Rātana, highlighting the gifts given by TW Ratana to Michael Joseph Savage, which represented the broken promises of the government to Māori. Peters used his speech to attract votes, stating that New Zealand First was the party that had done the most for Māori in the last half-century. The politicians’ speeches highlighted the importance of Māori issues in the upcoming election, with each party attempting to demonstrate their commitment to Māori concerns and self-determination.
The Significance of Rātana Pa
The hui at Rātana Pa symbolizes the importance of Māori unity and the need for collective action to address the challenges facing Māori communities. Kamaka Manuel, spokesperson for the Tumuaki of the Rātana Church, acknowledged the whānau across the North Island who have been impacted by flooding and landslips. Manuel stated that the celebrations at Rātana Pā have proceeded well, with Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po and the new Ariki of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Rangimaheu Te Heuheu Tukino IX, welcomed onto the marae. The hui has returned to older traditions, with 24 January dedicated to rangatahi celebrations, allowing mōrehu to come together ahead of the founder’s birthday on 25 January. The event highlights the importance of Māori cultural and spiritual practices, as well as the need for Māori to come together to address the challenges facing their communities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the gathering at Rātana Pa marked an important moment in the election year, with Māori leaders emphasizing the importance of mana motuhake and self-determination. The recent storms and flooding in the North Island highlighted the need for collective action to address the challenges facing Māori communities, including climate change and economic development. The politicians’ speeches demonstrated the importance of Māori issues in the upcoming election, with each party attempting to demonstrate their commitment to Māori concerns and self-determination. As the election approaches, it is clear that Māori issues will play a significant role in shaping the outcome, and the gathering at Rātana Pa has set the stage for a critical discussion about the future of Māori in Aotearoa. The event has also highlighted the importance of Māori unity and collective action, as well as the need for the government to respect Māori autonomy and decision-making. As the Māori Queen’s new business investment platform, the Kotahitanga Fund, demonstrates, Māori are taking control of their own destiny and promoting economic development and self-sufficiency.