In the Pursuit of Mana Motuhake:
James Henare Research Centre and Te Kīngitanga’s Hui-ā-Motu
In December 2023, Kīngi Tuheitia issued Te Paki o Matariki (royal proclamation) calling for a national hui to be held at Tūrangawaewae Marae on the 20th of January 2023. The public statement was issued because a clear message was received by Te Kīngitanga from iwi and hapū across the motu regarding the new coalition Government’s policies toward Te Ao Māori.
More than 3000 manuhiri are expected at the hui as the invitation has been extended to the whole country. The main purpose of the hui is to lay down a kaupapa of mana motuhake and to hold the Government to account.
Te Kīngitanga Chief of Staff, Ngira Simmonds, highlighted that there was a lot of unhelpful and divisive rhetoric during and following the 2023 election, which was felt by both Māori and non-Māori. He reiterates, “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. All are welcome to this meeting – it will be a safe place where the many voices can come together: tamariki, rangatahi, pakeke and kaumātua.”
Since the signing of the Government’s coalition agreement, there has been a nationwide day of action supported by Te Pāti Māori, three urgent claims submitted to the Waitangi Tribunal by different iwi, and a Court case filed by Waikato-Tainui at the Wellington High Court against Government policies. The coalition Government’s proposed policies for eradication of the Māori Health Authority, rollback of the use of Te Reo Māori, rollback of the Smokefree legislation, and the review of the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, will directly impact Māori communities across Aotearoa.
The James Henare Research Centre will keep a close eye on the proceeding and the outcomes from Kīngi Tuheitia’s hui-ā-motu as our research is deeply embedded with flax-roots communities throughout the motu.
James Henare Research Centre is committed to supporting our hapori through our research activities.
“Kua tawhiti kē tō haerenga mai, kia kore e haere tonu. He nui rawa ō mahi, kia kore e mahi tonu.
You have come too far not to go further; you have done too much not to do more.”
Sir James Henare