Rev Dr Arapera Ngaha reports on mahi being undertaken by MCNZ to ensure land stories capture the history of tangata whenua.

Recommendation 2 of the Land Commission Report to Conference 1989 A Theology of Land, suggests that “Research be undertaken into the history of land under consideration for purchase by parishes, circuits, and boards prior to any purchase” (p.111). That report strongly encouraged parishes to write these histories, to engage in theological reflection and to explore a theology of land in Aotearoa to help guide them in that work.

The current Bricks and Mortar publication, Section 8 Land Stories was compiled as a resource to researchers and writers of the Kōrero Papatupu Whenua. It outlines a little of the background and matters addressed by the Land Commission that helped set the scene for this work. It also offers resources and processes to support the work.

For some time now Te Taha Māori have been uneasy with Section 8 as this work does not adequately address Māori views of the importance of land. This section was intended as a guide to the land story process, but it lacks integrity as the intentional discussion of a Māori theology and Aotearoa context is not prioritised. “A theology of land, appropriate to life here in Aotearoa and to a response under the Treaty of Waitangi, is rooted in creation” (Conference 1989, p.107). This statement stresses the need to consider the context of Aotearoa and Māori, the pre-colonisation inhabitants. Life in Aotearoa did not begin when the missionaries arrived. Stories that begin from a Pākehā or European space, deny the existence of Māori and we become invisible. It is imperative that Māori are brought to life, that we not remain hidden, that we are acknowledged, and our stories are recorded in ways that respect our history and our understandings, our own theology of land.

Feedback from those who have written land stories has also expressed concerns that Section 8 fails to provide adequate direction for anyone compiling these works. “Stumbling around blind” was one comment made to explain how it felt before one researcher was able to get a grip on what was expected in this work. Members of Te Taha Māori Property Trust (TTMPT) agreed to revisit and rewrite Section 8 and present that revised work for Conference 2022 to consider.

In April Harry Tawhai and I responded to a call from Matamata Parish to talk about what was expected in this work and to assist their understanding of what is required. Church researchers from the local Synod who had recently written land stories joined us in that training session. Rell and Roland Sumner and Lindsay Cumberpatch generously gave of their time and experiences to assist potential researchers and writers of the parish land stories. Not only did they highlight areas that lacked substance in the processes outlined in Section 8, but they also offered direction in how to address this work, who to talk to, who to work with and where and how to find appropriate resources to tell the story.

They acknowledged networking and consultation were key to their success. Being supported by Te Taha Māori and local hapū members in the data gathering phase was most helpful. Knowing where and how to access these local historians and local hapū sources was highly valued. The stories shared were at times challenging but hugely rewarding. The oral narrative provided different areas of exploration.

They each shared learnings for themselves as they encountered new knowledge and noted the satisfaction felt as they engaged with and completed their task.

Work on the revision of this document, Section 8, continues and it will go out for Synod review over the next few months.