The Kīngitanga calls for unity among Māori to 'hold new government to account'

Tuesday, 5 December 2023

Kīngi Tuheitia addresses attendees of the 17th Koroneihana at Tūrangawaewae Marae to close the four days of celebration.

The Kīngitanga is calling a national hui for Māori to unite as the new coalition government could “undermine decades of hard-fought justice and equality for our nation”.

Kīngi Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII, in a statement to te iwi Māori, said many Māori were “concerned about the plans of the new Coalition Government”. It has issued Te Paki o Matariki (a Royal Proclamation) calling for the national hui.

A clear message was given by many rangatira from across the motu after celebrating the 165th anniversary of the birth of the Kīngitanga movement last weekend, the statement said, and the decision was made to unite for “kōrero and wānanga guided by our tikanga” in late January.

It comes after the Kīngitanga and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei began mending bridges last week following a public showdown at Te Matatini.

“Throughout our history, we have utilised kotahitanga [unity] as a source of strength, bringing us together during both moments of trial and in celebration.

“Our most effective response will come from working together.”

The hui would be a platform not only for their voices to be heard, but also for rangatahi to have a say in shaping a united way forward.

“It will also serve as an opportunity for us to assert our mana motuhake, as we make decisions for our future.”

Iwi Māori leaders – including Te Ariki Tā Tumu Te Heuheu and Rātana Tumuaki, Manuao Te Kohamutunga Tamou – agreed that the Crown must be a responsible Treaty partner and unify, not divide the nation.

Kīngitanga chief of staff and archdeacon Ngira Simmonds said the national hui will be a safe place where many voices could come together.

They support the King’s call for the national hui.

Kīngitanga chief of staff Ngira Simmonds said there was a lot of unhelpful and divisive rhetoric during the election campaign being felt by many New Zealanders – both Māori and non-Māori.

“There’s strong opposition to the Government’s statements on the Treaty of Waitangi which could undermine decades of hard-fought justice and equality for our nation.

“Now is the time for kotahitanga and focusing on what we have in common.”

The affirmation of mana motuhake has been the driving force of the Kīngitanga for 165 years, Simmonds said.

“The purpose of this national hui is for Te Iwi Māori to gather in our place, with our tikanga, to kōrero and wānanga our future.

The Kīngitanga movement is preparing to celebrate its 165th anniversary this weekend at Pukekawa in the Auckland Domain.

It would be a safe place where the many voices could come together – “tamariki, rangatahi, pakeke and kaumātua” (people of all ages).

The hui would be held at Tūrangawaewae Marae on January 20, “and will then carry the mauri of the hui into the annual Rātana and Waitangi Day celebrations”.