by Rev Keita Hotere

Te Ao Māori Convene for Tiriti Justice

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In recent months, large numbers of Te Ao Māori have convened to call for Tiriti justice, starting with the Hui-a-Motu in the Waikato, followed by the Ratana celebrations in Whanganui, and then Waitangi commemorations in the Tai Tokerau. Conversations about the erosion of tangata whenua rights in this country ignite discussions and debate of a constitutional nature, with significant consequences for our social and cultural cohesion as a growing nation moving forward.

The opening verse of the hymn composed by Tuini Ngawai for C company (Ngāti Porou) of the 28th Māori Battalion before they departed for World War II was sung at the recent Hui-a-Motu. The lyrics speak to us of a benevolent God, from whom we seek compassion and protection. I was fortunate to learn the hymn at college, where our teacher instilled in us a sense of pride for the sacrifices made by the 28th Māori Battalion. The men of my grandfather’s generation adhered to the triad, fighting for God, King and country, ake ake ake Kia kaha e. It was a different time and their call to duty was strong.

Arohaina mai Show compassion

E te Kingi nui O great King

Manaakitia rā bestow blessings

O tamariki e on your children

Horahia mai rā Spread your blessings

Te marie nui ki te of peace and comfort to the

Hoko-whitu-a Tū toa. brave band of Tū.

We hear the cries for Tiriti justice from different spheres of influence. Tiriti activists present us with a challenging God, one who confronts, protests and disrupts to bring about change. During the Waitangi Day dawn service, Dr Alistair Reese delivered a sermon on the covenantal relationship of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, one guided by an ethic of love that seeks the best outcome for all parties involved in the relationship. Dr Alistair echoed the sentiments expressed by Rev Whakahuihui Vercoe at the 150th commemorations of the signing of the Tiriti o Waitangi in 1990, declaring to the masses.

“May God grant us the courage to be honest with one another, to be sincere with one another, and above all to love one another in the strength of God.”

In this time of Te Ao Hou, Toitū Te Tiriti advocate Eru Kapa-Kingi challenges us to consider our core values of aroha and how aroha might be expressed through protest action. We express aroha ki te tangata demonstrating ongoing appreciation, acknowledgement, respect and dignity towards one another. We also express aroha through confronting actions that address the hard issues, particularly when it comes to those who may cause us harm. Aroha ki te kaupapa, our aroha and commitment towards upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a living, breathing document continues to shape our God understandings in Aotearoa today. Aroha through protest is not new to this generation alone. As Tiriti activists ourselves we bear the responsibility of efficacy and ongoing Tiriti education. Eru reminds us, echoing Dame Whina Cooper’s call to safeguard and protect what our children “hear, see, and feel,” as a nation is born from these seeds.