Ngāti Pōrou protest through University of Waikato after racism claims
Friday, 18 September 2020
Ngāti Pōrou iwi travelled from the East Cape on Friday to stand in solidarity with staff and students at the University of Waikato as they protest claims of insitutional racism.
They called upon the university to answer the claims of racism and maltreatment of Māori staff and students.
The protest comes after six Māori academics came forward publicly on September 4, citing “casual and structural racism” within Waikato University.
The allegations included Māori expertise being ignored, tokenism, denied promotions or project funding, lower pay for Māori staff and no meaningful commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi.
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Indigenous Education Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith was one of the six academics who wrote a 13-page letter to the Ministry of Education.
Ngāti Porou wanted to show their support to the Waikato professor who has tribal connections the iwi.
They were welcomed on to Te Kohinga Mārama Marae by Tainui waka.
One of the Waikato six, professor Rangi Matamua said Ngāti Porou came all the way to show their solidarity and support.
“The day was part of a much bigger activity that has been happening around systemic racism. It began at the university but it has now spread right across the sector,” Matamua said.
“This isn’t just an iwi thing, it affects all Māori. It affects anyone from any race that suffers these types of injustices.
“There are some major issues confronting Waikato University and Universities right across the country at the moment, so it was part of a wider movement.
“The hashtag patuatekaikiri can be translated to end racism. We are saying as a collective that there is systemic and institutional racism within the university sector, it’s something we’ve been really battling with for a number of years.
“We want to see the issues addressed, not just at Waikato, but right across the sector.”
Following a Waiata and Haka practice, the iwi group made their way to the hundred-odd students, staff and supporters who waited in the university's courtyard for the hikoi.
Māori sovereignty flags were waved, hongi given, and many tears were shed.
“If we don’t stand, it (racism) continues on and becomes normalised,” Matamua said.
Commissioners Sir Harawira Gardiner and Hekia Parata have been appointed to conduct an independent review into the claims, which is expected as soon as next week.
The review will include looking into the Universities progress in meeting Treaty of Waitangi obligations, programmes to support Māori students, attract and retain Māori staff, integrate mātauranga Māori into its academic programmes and promote Te Ao Māori in the life of the University.
The commissioners will also make recommendations for improvements in policy and practice.