Young New Zealanders leading the way forward – Race Relations Commissioner

The Human Rights Commission says young New Zealanders growing acceptance and celebration of Maori language and culture shows how bright the future for race relations can be.

This weekend the commission launched a video about the children of Wairarapa who broke the world record for a mass haka in Masterton on the 2nd of November at Memorial Park. (Watch the Video here)

“For a year Wairarapa children learnt a haka about their home, Ko Wairarapa, We Are Wairarapa and they performed it together, more than 6000 young people from different cultures, schools and towns,” said Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy.

“These youngsters broke a world record but they also brought a community together by celebrating their shared identity using te reo and tikanga Maori. They show us just how far our country has come and how bright our shared future can be.”

The Wairarapa region supported their children in the world record bid that was driven by Masterton Intermediate and Wairarapa REAP. Teams of students headed out into schools for more than year to teach the haka while online instructional videos provided further back up.

“When it comes to getting along with one another we have many issues facing not just our country but the entire world. However sometimes we see a glimpse of the future that is genuine and full of hope: this was one of those moments,” said Dame Susan.

“We congratulate the children and people of Wairarapa not just for their world record but for sharing a very special moment in their region’s history.”

Video link: Https://Www.Facebook.Com/Nzhumanrightscommission/Videos/10154307713178843/

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