Waitangi Community Forums; Ngamotu Beach, New Plymouth

Sunday 4 February 2007 ; 6.30pm

Tariana Turia, Co-leader, Maori Party

It is a great honour to be here at the Ngahau at Ngamotu – in the company of such talent; such wisdom and such inspiration.

I am humbled particularly, to be in the presence of

• the intellectual realms which Moana Jackson takes us to;

• the spiritual and cultural strength of my friend Ruth Desouza who’s work with Wairua Consulting and the Aotearoa Ethnic network has been innovative and bold;

• and the outstanding energy of the gifted – and utterly good looking - Marcus Akuhata-Brown.

It feels very much as if I am dancing with the stars – and no, I won’t be following the footsteps of my friend Rodney!

There’s been a lot of talk lately about the stars being in alignment – as the nation searches for their glimpse of the McNaught Comet.

I was thinking about that comet, as I recalled the history provided by Dick Scott, in writing about the death of the great Taranaki leader, Tohu Kakahi, on this very day one hundred years ago.

Scott described the memories of mourners at that tangi :

a “canoe-shaped cloud carrying the figure of a man formed over the marae that day and remained in the sky for the seven days that the body lay in state”.

In coming here today, to Ngamotu Beach, it is the shape of that waka over us all, that I have been thinking of.

What would the visionary peacemaker, Tohu Kakahi, make of Taranaki in 2007?

What progress have we made as a nation, since the days of 1879 and 1880; when he and Te Whiti-o-Rongomai, supervised the ploughing and fencing of confiscated lands here in Taranaki?

In 2007, are prophets of peace still likely to be accused of “wickedly, maliciously and seditiously contriving and intending to disturb the peace?”.

Or is the Taranaki of Tom Cruise fame a vastly different scene than that inhabited by Tohu and Te Whiti?

Well I dare say, that bollywood dance, hip-hop, salsa dance and Chinese performance would not have featured in 1907.

But in other respects, in the hearts and minds of the people, I would imagine there to be very little to differentiate between the centuries.

For when we think of that canoe-shaped cloud above, we recall:

• legacy of staying strong in the maintenance of one’s culture and tribal lands;

• the message of peace and protection of the people;

• the faith that whanau will never perish if we remain true to our beliefs.

I am delighted to be here today to celebrate Waitangi Day. And I want to commend the New Plymouth District Council in working with Ngati Te Whiti, and the variety of events they have sponsored to bring Te Tiriti o Waitangi alive for all the peoples of this area.

And as I have walked around all the multi-ethnic food stalls, the art market, the barbeque, it seems like Waitangi is truly a time to celebrate and acknowledge both tangata whenua, and all of the cultures and peoples who have come to call this land home. Indeed this afternoon is a literal cultural explosion which celebrates the diversity and strength of your communities.

And importantly, Waitangi is a time for dialogue – for korero –in events like today. Not that the people of Taranaki have ever shirked from the challenge of community conversations. I think about the value that places such as Puke Ariki have in keeping this dialogue alive – and for the generosity of the iwi of Taranaki in continuing to open your doors to the possibility of talking together.

I believe Waitangi Day is an excellent time to measure our progress towards the promise anticipated in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

When I looked at the painting of the 2007 Waitangi flag by all the tamariki, I couldn’t help but think about the furore that has broken out across the land, in the light of Transit’s NZ’s obstinacy in refusing to allow the Maori flag to fly alongside the Union Jack.

It is so disappointing that a symbol of such pride and passion for tangata whenua – and increasingly many other New Zealanders – has been so misunderstood.

We all know how important symbols are in our national identity – the silver fern, the kiwi, the pohutukawa, the buzzy bee, all represent our pride in our land, Aotearoa.

And so too, the Maori flag, the tino rangatiratanga flag, speaks of the strength and the solidarity of spirit that has united tangata whenua in our quest to survive and thrive as indigenous peoples.

It has seemed bizarre that while the Sydney Opera House can fly the Aboriginal Flag; or while Santa Monica beach in LA can fly the Maori flag; our own Auckland Harbour Bridge is happy to fly the ‘loyal’ flag for America’s cup, but puts their foot down on Maori.

Our flag, is a powerful way of representing our cultural pride.

But all is not lost – there are of course, other ways in which we can measure our cultural strength, in this, a Waitangi Day report card.

2006 is of course, the year that Ngati Mutunga finally settled its claim. A claim that recognised the people, who for 141 years, have suffered the consequences of confiscation; of military assault, muru me te raupatu.

As the Waitangi Tribunal reported, in an “extraordinary record of expropriation and deprivation”, not one hectare of Taranaki land that is now held entirely on Maori terms and by Maori rules.

Against all odds then, Ngati Mutunga entered negotiations, and were able to complete the process with their honour intact, their Ngati Mutungatanga proudly upheld for all to see.

I want to really mihi to Ngati Mutunga – and indeed all of the various hapu and iwi across Taranaki, who continue to call for justice, knowing that your efforts will be a powerful legacy for your mokopuna to inherit.

But it is not just Ngati Mutunga who have been speaking up for their right to development potential.

Ngati Te Whiti has also worked, relentlessly, over this last year and more in protecting your traditional seafood gathering areas. I’m thinking of the marine reserve – a proposal which initially included the Sugarloaf Islands, which were the only remaining traditional kaimoana grounds available to the hapu.

In June the marine reserve was announced, and a portion of the Sugarloaf Islands excluded. A victory which is due to the commitment and perseverance of Ngati Te Whiti, in the pursuit of justice.

The message of peace and protection of the people

Against the ever-present impacts of colonisation, Taranaki maintains its reputation as the site of passive resistance.

I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all involved in the Parihaka Peace Festival in maintaining the presence of pacifism.

It is so uplifting to know there are whole communities like your own committed to the restoration of non-violence. We must continue to promote the message of peace left to us by Tohu and Te Whiti – to dispel the illusion that violence is acceptable.

In order to do this, we need to remove opportunities for violence to occur; liberating our families in ways which will lead to transformation. It may be as simple as time out; as complex as changing the ways that we talk to each other.

For Maori, our whakapapa, tikanga, kawa is essential to transform whanau from a state of violence to a state of well-being.

The solution is not in any one idea, any particular programme, or strategy. The solution is in taking that first step to change.

The role of whanau in making the difference

And finally, the message from the inspiration of the prophets of peace resounds in the faith that whanau will never perish if we remain true to our beliefs.

As we look over all the various challenges that have arisen over this last year, I remain more and more convinced that our greatest strength lies in whanau. Whanau are our own best solution.

I know tonight, that we will all be treated to the wonder of No 2 – a fantastic Pasifika celebration of love and collective responsibility and caring. It is a message that transcends all cultures, a powerful message of hope.

My vision for the next century would be that we can all truly celebrate whanau as healthy, vibrant and self-sustaining.

Whanau who have the means and ability to care for their own children; who recognise that a strong, supportive whanau is the greatest security for our future growth.

Whanau who are enabled to take control of their own well-being and development – whether that is in using education as the tool to create healthy whanau, or in building pride and positive lifestyles through participating in sport and recreation.

Whanau who are committed to healing and restoration – addressing the issues that may otherwise get in the way. Whanau who have the confidence, faith, and knowledge to address the critical issues that face them; who channel their strengths in a way to support those who may not be achieving their potential.

I know we can do it. I believe we can do it. All we need now, is to Just Do It!

And so in the spirit of this celebration of whanau – I am gifting the last fifteen minutes dedicated to my korero – instead to all of you.

And whether it is the comet or the waka reminding us of Tohu Kakahi, let us all enjoy the wonder of whanau; the foundation of family; as our solution for the advancement of healthy, resilient and independent people.

ENDS

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