Ngapuhi create their own vision through internet initiative

Matahauariki is an internet initiative for all Ngapuhi to create a vision for their iwi post Settlement.

Matahauariki features famous - and not so famous - Ngapuhi telling of their dreams for their iwi.

Among the first contributors are Magic netball coach Noeline Taurua and Maori Television star presenter Julian Wilcox.

New Zealand’s biggest iwi, with 123 000 members, Ngapuhi has set off on its Treaty of Waitangi settlement journey and hopes to begin negotiations with the Crown by the end of the year.

Said Ngapuhi rangatira Raniera (Sonny) Tau: “We want all Ngapuhi to be interested and involved in the settlement process, and the internet is a way everyone can join in and have their say.

“Matahauariki means the layer of clouds just above the horizon and therefore symbolises we are looking toward a new horizon.

“We want our people to create a vision for our iwi when we’ve moved from grievance to post-Settlement.

“Our Matahauariki programme is unique. It’s the first time an iwi has asked all its members to contribute their ideas for the future.

“We’ve got lots of famous Ngapuhi lining up, but I want to make it clear that this is a people’s programme, and any Ngapuhi – be they Kaumatua, Kuia, youngsters at school, up home in Northland, in Auckland, Australia or America …. they’re all invited to contribute and share they views.

“So far we’ve got Ngapuhi talking about their dreams for the environment, culture, education and a greater Ngapuhi presence in Auckland, where most of our people are.

“It’s a fascinating project that is going to connect our people at this most important time in our modern history.

“Every week we’ll have more contributors posted on the Matahauariki website, so we urge our people to check in regularly and see what people are saying.”

Matahauariki can be accessed at tuhuronuku.com – the Ngapuhi Settlement website. For more information on how to contribute, please call Matahauariki manager, Simone Andersen 0800 101 084

Excerpts from Matahauariki contributions:

Julian Wilcox, leading journalist and presenter of Maori Television’s Native Affairs:

For me, a Settlement is about 2040 and the reception we as Ngapuhi can give Maoridom and Aotearoa when the nation commemorates two hundred years since the signing of the Treaty.

What will the Ngapuhi confederation, and indeed the Ngapuhi nation, look like in 2040?

What needs to be achieved to ensure the mana and reputation of Ngapuhi is enhanced before this historic milestone?

How can we ensure that Ngapuhi is spiritually, economically, physically, but perhaps most importantly, culturally capable of fulfilling its responsibilities at this event?

These questions and more are at the forefront of my mind, because in 2040 it will be my generation left to promote what it is to be Ngapuhi.

Noeline Taurua, head coach of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic:

My vision for Ngapuhi is about preservation of hapu rangatiratanga, openness and honesty and upholding the mana and thinking of those who stood before us in relation to both the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and the Declaration of Independence.

Strong leadership, clear communication lines, a strategic direction and purpose are paramount.

Money or post settlement should not be seen as the answer to all the issues or problems that are currently synonymous within Maoridom or amongst the uri of Ngapuhi, as sometimes money can “clutter” the mind and can lead to clouded answers or judgements.

From my experience as a full time professional netball coach, the answers always lie within. It is the brave who are willing to look there, act on what they find, gain the experience and wisdom and become true leaders who will ultimately provide the answers and solutions.
The ability to stand true under scrutiny and pressure and uphold your own mana and the mana of your team is the key to success and the backbone of unity.

Simone Andersen from Te Tai Tokerau, mother of two young children:

As I sit on my veranda at day’s end and watch the people collecting kaimoana on the beach, I pray that it will always be this way.

From the sparkling waters of Waitangi Paihia to the majesty of the Hokianga, we must preserve and protect these gifts for our tamariki, so we can understand the deeper meaning when the children say “What about us?”

I have had a vision of Ngapuhi iwi. In this vision the nation is sitting in front of their televisions. As they watch, they lean forward in their seats and as they lean their jaws drop open and the nation gasps. For on their televisions is Ngapuhi-nui-tonu by the tens of thousands, marching as one for their rightful mana. And there is an ethereal quality about the scene, because for those who “see”, the crowd is twofold, with our tupuna marching beside.

ENDS

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