At a recent forum in Otautahi, two presenters with specialised expertise in Te Tiriti o Waitangi talked about projects where the Treaty offered guidance in designing economic policy and researching the land stories of local Mission sites.

Presenters were Jane Higgins, Strategic Adviser for the Christchurch Methodist Mission (CMM), and Dr Paul Dalziel, Professor of Economics at Lincoln University, who undertakes research for Ngāi Tahu iwi along with his teaching and research roles at Lincoln University.

Emphasising the text of Te Tiriti, Paul stressed key Treaty words such as ‘consent’, ‘guarantee’ and ‘authority’ which underpin critical Treaty concepts including Kawanatanga (governance) and Te Tino Rangatiratanga (absolute authority).

Jane’s research concerns the land history of social housing sites and other properties occupied by the CMM. Drawing on Ngāi Tahu archives, Jane detailed how St Mark’s Methodist Church property in Lower Cashmere, where the Mission recently built housing units, was in pre-European days a major estuary and mahinga kai (food) gathering area. The land was drained, levelled and eventually urbanised.

The forum was organised by EcuAction, an interfaith justice and advocacy group.

The question left hanging was what needs to happen when research reveals that land originally aquired by seizure or inadequate payment is now in church ownership? Two possibilities are cash or’kind’ compensation, or vesting the  title of such properties with the  local Tribal Authority and the church paying an annual lease or rental.

Treaty related material and resources are available from  ‘Network Waitangi Otautahi Click Here a Canterbury based organisation.

Award for Seasoned Activists

At the conclusion of the speaker presentations,  John Minto and partner Bronwen Summers were awarded the annual EcuAction Activist Award.

The award in memory of the late Rev John England, a founding member of EcuAction, was presented by John England’s son Bevis,  who came down from Auckland to make the presentation.

John and Bronwen are seasoned activists who are currently leading lights in the international campaign for Palestinian self determination and justice.