Waitangi Day Archives

There is unfinished business

Posted by Jamie Tahana | Feb 9, 2025 | Comment & Analysis, PIJF

“Waitangi should be a place where political leaders are made to justify their decisions from the past year, to take stock of how they’re upholding their side of the Treaty partnership.” — Jamie Tahana.

Sharpening our sovereign minds

Posted by Pakilau Manase Lua | Feb 25, 2024 | Comment & Analysis, Reflections

“We were fed a narrative that always seemed mind-suckingly one-sided. We were supposed to believe that Māori willingly handed everything over to the benevolent latecomers and pretend-discoverers for mere nails and blankets.” — Manase Lua.

Why give breath to the coalition?

Posted by Eru Kapa-Kingi | Feb 18, 2024 | Comment & Analysis

“The absolute boldness with which this government has shown their distaste for Tiriti justice is unmatched. And even when they stand, axe in hand … we still give them the mic and say ‘take it away’.” — Eru Kapa-Kingi.

Just don’t call her an activist

Posted by Moana Maniapoto | Mar 26, 2023 | Kōrero

“We must never, ever take it for granted that freedom comes on the silver platter. It does not.” — Titewhai Harawira.

Wāhine, White Women, and Waitangi

Posted by Tina Ngata | Feb 13, 2022 | Comment & Analysis

“New Zealand is steadfastly committed to drinking its own Kool-aid when it comes to race relations. We have stitched-in blinders when it comes to convincing everyone that we are kind, and just and equitable.” — Tina Ngata.

Claudia Orange: Questions of sovereignty

Posted by Claudia Orange | Jan 31, 2021 | History

“The early plans for a British colony envisaged a Māori New Zealand in which settlers would somehow be accommodated,” writes Claudia Orange. But, by 1840, there’d been a shift in thinking, reflecting “reluctant official acknowledgement that the tide of British colonisation could not be held back forever”.