Latest news with #wāhineMāori
The Spinoff
19 hours ago
- Politics
- The Spinoff
Inside the Waitangi Tribunal's Mana Wāhine hearings
The Waitangi Tribunal's latest hearings delved into the historical and systemic marginalisation of Māori women – and the constitutional future their voices demand. As the cold embrace of Hine Takurua set upon Te Upoko-o-te-ika-a-Māui, the wharenui at Te Herenga Waka Marae was warmed by the testimony, challenge and reassertion for the Mana Wāhine claim. Last week, the Waitangi Tribunal held hearings for the Mana Wāhine Kaupapa Inquiry: a landmark claim addressing the Crown's ongoing failure to uphold the status, rights, and constitutional authority of wāhine Māori. Heard before judge Sarah Reeves and panel members Robyn Anderson, Kim Ngarimu, Linda Tuhiwai Smith and Ruakere Hond, the Mana Wāhine inquiry centres on the enduring impacts of colonisation, patriarchy and the Crown's exclusionary systems of power. From the appointment processes of state boards to the structure of commercial fisheries, the claim argues that wāhine Māori have been deliberately sidelined from decision-making, leadership and economic participation. Claimant representative Natalie Coates opened with a challenge to look inward as well as out: 'Acknowledging that the patriarchal ideas infiltrated our tikanga and how we conduct and order ourselves in our whānau, hapū and iwi is a necessary part of our healing journey as a people.' It was a confronting reminder that while colonisation imposed new systems, some damage manifested through the reshaping of tikanga. Legal academic Ani Mikaere was the first witness, opening proceedings with a clear articulation of what has been lost: 'Our creation stories and tikanga once upheld the mana of wāhine Māori, recognising them as leaders, protectors of whakapapa, powerful spiritual figures. Colonisation has rewritten those stories, often with misogyny, fear and racism layered over our own truths.' Across four days of presentations and cross-examination, a diverse group of lawyers, historians, researchers, kuia and claimants took the stand. The hearings wove together a narrative that was both historic and current, doctrinal and lived. The claim traces its lineage to one woman in particular – Mira Szászy. As the sole wahine commissioner on the Māori Fisheries Commission in 1990, her exclusion from subsequent appointments was a catalyst for Wai 381. Several witnesses described her as having 'grandparented' both the fisheries settlement and the Mana Wāhine claim. Ripeka Evans, an original claimant, told the tribunal: 'The opportunities for wāhine Māori weren't lost. They simply weren't presented.' Much of the testimony outlined how the Crown's systems are structurally incapable of recognising mana wāhine on their own terms. Tribunal veteran and claimant representative Annette Sykes framed the inquiry as 'a constitutional moment'. 'This is the first time the tribunal has been called to confront the Crown's breaches through the distinct and intersectional lens of wāhine Māori.' That lens includes land and resource alienation, gendered violence, the denial of political agency and systemic exclusion. According to historian Aroha Harris, the doctrine of discovery and the English common law model erased not just indigenous rights, but indigenous women. Tina Ngata highlighted the stark link between the two: 'The doctrine of discovery replaced our systems of sacredness with a hierarchy. The more white, and the more male you were, the more sacred. The further you were from that, the more disposable.' That disposability has consequences. Deputy dean for the faculty of business and economics at the University of Auckland Carla Houkamau presented research highlighting how contemporary state systems continue to harm Māori women, particularly in education, health and criminal justice. 'Our pain is more likely to be ignored. Our leadership is more likely to be invisible. Our participation, purposefully hidden.' But the hearings showed that wāhine Māori are not just participating – they are leading in the way. The final day was dedicated to testimony from the Māori Women's Welfare League, led by current president Hope Tupara. The league, with its ECOSOC status at the UN and more than 70 years of intergenerational organising, emerged as a central vehicle for mana wāhine. Former president Areta Koopu described the league as a whare: 'We are one family, one house. We stick together.' That unity was tested over decades of Crown interface. Tupara told the tribunal: 'They don't value our mātauranga. The Crown doesn't understand our way of thinking, because it doesn't operate that way.' Several former presidents outlined how Crown processes had repeatedly sidelined the league from major policy decisions. One spoke of the 'opportunity cost' of the Crown's insistence on engagement with newer pan-Māori bodies: 'Despite our leadership in communities, we were increasingly outside the consultation room.' A core focus of the next steps is remedies. Many witnesses called for changes to appointment structures, constitutional recognition of mana wāhine, and support for pathways rooted in whakapapa rather than CVs. Indigenous rights lawyer Dayle Takitimu urged the tribunal to consider the fundamental shift needed: 'Wāhine Māori have inherent mana and authority embedded into us. The Crown must confront the ways it has polluted or denied that truth – not just in history, but in policy today.' Barrister Natalie Coates reinforced that any future framework must move beyond individual fixes: 'We're talking about the wellbeing of wāhine Māori being inseparable from the communities from which we come from… It's not a zero sum struggle, it's a return to collective health and justice.' The claimants were also clear that this was not about slotting women into existing colonial frameworks. Rather, as Mikaere said, it is about restoring a reality that existed long before colonisation – one where mana was understood as shared, relational and grounded in whakapapa. 'It is only when women achieve mana recognition that the Māori people will rise up,' she said. Last week marked the first round of hearings in a long process. However, for many present at Te Herenga Waka, it was also a reclamation. In the words of former Māori Women's Welfare League president Druis Barrett: 'We were always doing the mahi. The question is when the Crown will finally see it.' The Wai 2700 hearings will continue later this year.
RNZ News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Homelessness told through the eyes of a wāhine Māori
Teiti Nepia says her five-months outdoors was a form of art activism, peacefully resisting the 'high cost of living and unsustainable market rents'. Photo: Supplied A last resort turned into a social experiment then an art project, and is now a short documentary called HOME - where a well-travelled wāhine Māori proves that home is what you make of it. Teiti Nepia has lived many lives as a chef - including directly under Uluru in Outback Australia or in Brooklyn, Wellington - but she still struggled to find a forever home. Her entire immediate whānau moved across the ditch and Nepia tagged along, but after her mother's passing and 10 years in Ahitereiria, she felt the need to leave. When the wāhine born in the late 60s returned to where she first moved to in the 90s - Island Bay - she lived with a friend until she found a long-term place to stay. "After a few months of trying to look, I just couldn't find something I could afford," Nepia said. She had attended interviews for flats and house sharing, but the people who had advertised rooms were 30-years younger than Nepia. "Although I'd make a pretty cool flat auntie, I don't think they want to live with their auntie, it wasn't really appropriate." Teiti Nepia on the beach. Photo: Supplied / Facebook Viable flatting options were slim, so she looked into one-bedroom studio spaces, but the weekly rent prices were too high. "Even though I could have afforded $400 a week, it would have taken out at least 60 plus percent of my hard-earned wage, my income, and it didn't sit right with me." For the summer of 23/24, Nepia took her trailer-hitched e-bike to various locations between Princess Bay and Ōwhiro Bay in Pōneke and set up camp while documenting her journey with a young camera crew. From public spaces to beaches to people's gardens, Nepia would hunker down in each spot for a night or three beneath the stars. Reading the cosmos was something she had learnt while living in the Outback in her swag. And since her Mum passed away, she finds solace in looking at the stars. Although she was already 'good at camping,' her five-months outdoors was a form of art activism, peacefully resisting the 'high cost of living and unsustainable market rents.' Although Nepia is well-travelled and a 'good camper,' she still made sure she was allowed to stay on public and private grounds before doing so. Photo: supplied / Teiti Nepia According to the 2023 Census, an estimated 112,496 people - or 2.3 percent of the census - usually resident population were homeless/severe housing deprivation. Census data revealed there were more homeless women than men, with more than 57,000 women without a home. Meanwhile, a study by Ihi Research has also found that four out of five homeless women in Aotearoa were Māori, with some being as young as 15-years-old. "You can see with your own eyes, the situation." But Nepia's short documentary called HOME puts a different spin on homelessness. Instead, she shows people how to respect the land while being homeless, and how to do it without leaving a trace. Nepia said homelessness is not just about those sleeping on the streets in the CBD, but it is those who are freedom camping and the people living in their cars. "What happened to me was that I had this sort of 'activism' ignited in me, because I was so upset with the state of my country and more particularly, the state of my generation. "My generation was a generation where our parents were Māori, our parents were urbanised, and so my parents were encouraged to move away from where they had come from." Nepia's mum was from Ruatoria and her Dad was from Nūhaka. Both were native te reo Māori speakers, but when Nepia's parents moved away from the east coast, the language and connection to the whenua were lost, she said. The bike Nepia travels on Photo: supplied / Teiti Nepia Nepia is already planning her next documentary, and without spoiling it, she aims to follow the same kaupapa of camping freely outdoors, understanding other people's view on market rents and the cost of living while reconnecting with her parents' whenua - but she wants others to join her. "The premise is to come around aunty and help take Aunty T home." Since November, Nepia has been living in a social housing precinct developed by Kāinga Ora called Te Ō. "I feel so lucky to have got a forever home." HOME by Teiti Nepia will have its world premiere at the Doc Edge film festival , which begins next month. The film is automatically eligible for the Best New Zealand Short category. The winner of this category will receive an Oscar consideration for 2026. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
1News
03-05-2025
- Politics
- 1News
'Politics has become an ugly place': Tory Whanau on mayoral role
As a progressive mayor Tory Whanau has had to deal with the "old guard" resistant to change, the outgoing Wellington mayor says. Whanau announced this week she will not stand again for the Wellington mayoralty. Her decision came shortly after former Labour leader Andrew Little confirmed he would be contesting, with Whanau saying she didn't want a Greens versus Labour narrative to swamp the election. Instead, she plans to run for the council's Māori Ward. Whanau has previously said she would consider quitting the mayoralty after facing scrutiny for her political and personal challenges including the appointment of a Crown observer for the council. She told Saturday Morning she has attracted extra attention because the "old guard" are resistant to issues such as climate change, the cycleway network and social housing. "Being the progressive change mayor - that does bring a lot of negativity." Being wahine Māori has also posed extra difficulties, she said, citing the treatment of other Māori politicians such as Tamatha Paul, Marama Davidson and Metiria Turei. There were double standards for women, especially wāhine Māori, and the negativity had also moved onto the rainbow community. "Politics at the moment has become quite an ugly place and I'm just an example of part of that." While she has enjoyed some support, especially this week since her decision on the mayoralty, politics could be "a lonely place" and "isolating". "It's absolutely crucial" to have discussions about the online criticism directed at women and gay politicians, she said. "When is it OK to threaten the life of a politician? It is never OK," she said in response to a councillor's claim that she had asked for the abuse she received because of her behaviour. She did not regret using social media in her bid to attract support from young people, however, the political landscape had changed a great deal. US President Donald Trump and some of the New Zealand coalition government members had helped to ramp up the criticism politicians received, she said. "The online trolling has accelerated significantly ... the political landscape has become a lot more toxic." She did not feel her life was in danger, however, the abuse would turn off women and rangatahi Māori from any thoughts of going into politics. "And that becomes a danger to our democracy." She appealed to other politicians to make debate about policy rather than personal. Whanau said she was surprised by former Labour Minister Andrew Little's announcement after he had ruled out the suggestion last year. "I accepted it [Little's decision], got my plans back in place. I am really excited about running for the Māori ward." She said she was not disappointed some on the left had backed Little instead of her. The most important thing was to keep the city "on track" with issues such as the cycleway network, building more social housing, and investing in water. She said many of the things she had campaigned on such as more investment in water and more social housing had started during her mayoralty. "The biggest thing I didn't achieve was light rail ... I at least was able to keep the Golden Mile." Questioned about her "flip-flop" over the sale of Wellington Airport shares, she said it created tension. There was a need to address the $2.3 billion underinvestment in insurance and she believed the share sale would be the best option, however, there wasn't enough support. The council had moved on and relationships had been rebuilt. "I've learned from that, won't be doing that again." It had caused "great upset" that iwi did not have a voice over ther sale of the shares, however, her relationship with iwi remained strong throughout the saga. Housing, protection of nature, and having a voice at the table were the main priorities for mana whenua, she said. They had been supportive over her decision to stand for the Māori ward. Whanau said the atmosphere was "light" during her meeting with Local Government Minister Simeon Brown during which the appointment of a Crown Observer was discussed. "We've had independent advice that it didn't need to happen but I wanted to show Wellington that I was more than willing to work with the government to prove we could have a successful Long Term Plan ... it's back on track without the airport." The presence of the observer had helped with the management of councillors' behaviour, she added. She had a "polite" relationship with Brown and said things were warmer with the new minister Simon Watts. Whanau said it had been an honour to perform her first karanga at two events during her term as mayor. "One of the most special honouring moments of my life ... that has been an absolute privilege of this role."
Scoop
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Tory Whanau Believes Politics Has Become A Lot More ‘Toxic' Especially For Wāhine Māori
Article – RNZ As a progressive mayor she has also had to deal with the 'old guard' resistant to change, the outgoing mayor says. As a progressive mayor Tory Whanau has had to deal with the 'old guard' resistant to change, the outgoing Wellington mayor says. Whanau announced this week she will not stand again for the Wellington mayoralty. Her decision came shortly after former Labour leader Andrew Little confirmed he would be contesting, with Whanau saying she didn't want a Greens versus Labour narrative to swamp the election. Instead, she plans to run for the council's Māori Ward. Whanau has previously said she would consider quitting the mayoralty after facing scrutiny for her political and personal challenges including the appointment of a Crown observer for the council. She told Saturday Morning she has attracted extra attention because the 'old guard' are resistant to issues such as climate change, the cycleway network and social housing. 'Being the progressive change mayor – that does bring a lot of negativity.' Being wahine Māori has also posed extra difficulties, she said, citing the treatment of other Māori politicians such as Tamatha Paul, Marama Davidson and Metiria Turei. There were double standards for women, especially wāhine Māori and the negativity had also moved onto the rainbow community. 'Politics at the moment has become quite an ugly place and I'm just an example of part of that.' While she has enjoyed some support, especially this week since her decision on the mayoralty, politics could be 'a lonely place' and 'isolating'. 'It's absolutely crucial' to have discussions about the online criticism directed at women and gay politicians, she said. 'When is it OK to threaten the life of a politician? It is never OK,' she said in response to a councillor's claim that she had asked for the abuse she received because of her behaviour. She did not regret using social media in her bid to attract support from young people, however, the political landscape had changed a great deal. US President Donald Trump and some of the New Zealand coalition government members had helped to ramp up the criticism politicians received, she said. 'The online trolling has accelerated significantly … the political landscape has become a lot more toxic.' She did not feel her life was in danger, however, the abuse would turn off women and rangatahi Māori from any thoughts of going into politics. 'And that becomes a danger to our democracy.' She appealed to other politicians to make debate about policy rather than personal. Surprise at Little's decision Whanau said she was surprised by former Labour Minister Andrew Little's announcement after he had ruled out the suggestion last year. 'I accepted it [Little's decision], got my plans back in place. I am really excited about running for the Māori ward.' She said she was not disappointed some on the left had backed Little instead of her. The most important thing was to keep the city 'on track' with issues such as the cycleway network, building more social housing, and investing in water. She said many of the things she had campaigned on such as more investment in water and more social housing had started during her mayoralty. 'The biggest thing I didn't achieve was light rail … I at least was able to keep the Golden Mile.' Questioned about her 'flip-flop' over the sale of Wellington Airport shares, she said it created tension. There was a need to address the $2.3 billion underinvestment in insurance and she believed the share sale would be the best option, however, there wasn't enough support. The council had moved on and relationships had been rebuilt. 'I've learned from that, won't be doing that again.' It had caused 'great upset' that iwi did not have a voice over ther sale of the shares, however, her relationship with iwi remained strong throughout the saga. Housing, protection of nature, and having a voice at the table were the main priorities for mana whenua, she said. They had been supportive over her decision to stand for the Māori ward. Crown observer 'didn't need to happen' Whanau said the atmosphere was 'light' during her meeting with Local Government Minister Simeon Brown during which the appointment of a Crown Observer was discussed. 'We've had independent advice that it didn't need to happen but I wanted to show Wellington that I was more than willing to work with the government to prove we could have a successful Long Term Plan … it's back on track without the airport.' The presence of the observer had helped with the management of councillors' behaviour, she added. She had a 'polite' relationship with Brown and said things were warmer with the new minister Simon Watts. Whanau said it had been an honour to perform her first karanga at two events during her term as mayor. 'One of the most special honouring moments of my life … that has been an absolute privilege of this role.'
Scoop
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Tory Whanau Believes Politics Has Become A Lot More 'Toxic' Especially For Wāhine Māori
As a progressive mayor Tory Whanau has had to deal with the "old guard" resistant to change, the outgoing Wellington mayor says. Whanau announced this week she will not stand again for the Wellington mayoralty. Her decision came shortly after former Labour leader Andrew Little confirmed he would be contesting, with Whanau saying she didn't want a Greens versus Labour narrative to swamp the election. Instead, she plans to run for the council's Māori Ward. Whanau has previously said she would consider quitting the mayoralty after facing scrutiny for her political and personal challenges including the appointment of a Crown observer for the council. She told Saturday Morning she has attracted extra attention because the "old guard" are resistant to issues such as climate change, the cycleway network and social housing. "Being the progressive change mayor - that does bring a lot of negativity." Being wahine Māori has also posed extra difficulties, she said, citing the treatment of other Māori politicians such as Tamatha Paul, Marama Davidson and Metiria Turei. There were double standards for women, especially wāhine Māori and the negativity had also moved onto the rainbow community. "Politics at the moment has become quite an ugly place and I'm just an example of part of that." While she has enjoyed some support, especially this week since her decision on the mayoralty, politics could be "a lonely place" and "isolating". "It's absolutely crucial" to have discussions about the online criticism directed at women and gay politicians, she said. "When is it OK to threaten the life of a politician? It is never OK," she said in response to a councillor's claim that she had asked for the abuse she received because of her behaviour. She did not regret using social media in her bid to attract support from young people, however, the political landscape had changed a great deal. US President Donald Trump and some of the New Zealand coalition government members had helped to ramp up the criticism politicians received, she said. "The online trolling has accelerated significantly ... the political landscape has become a lot more toxic." She did not feel her life was in danger, however, the abuse would turn off women and rangatahi Māori from any thoughts of going into politics. "And that becomes a danger to our democracy." She appealed to other politicians to make debate about policy rather than personal. Surprise at Little's decision Whanau said she was surprised by former Labour Minister Andrew Little's announcement after he had ruled out the suggestion last year. "I accepted it [Little's decision], got my plans back in place. I am really excited about running for the Māori ward." She said she was not disappointed some on the left had backed Little instead of her. The most important thing was to keep the city "on track" with issues such as the cycleway network, building more social housing, and investing in water. She said many of the things she had campaigned on such as more investment in water and more social housing had started during her mayoralty. "The biggest thing I didn't achieve was light rail ... I at least was able to keep the Golden Mile." Questioned about her "flip-flop" over the sale of Wellington Airport shares, she said it created tension. There was a need to address the $2.3 billion underinvestment in insurance and she believed the share sale would be the best option, however, there wasn't enough support. The council had moved on and relationships had been rebuilt. "I've learned from that, won't be doing that again." It had caused "great upset" that iwi did not have a voice over ther sale of the shares, however, her relationship with iwi remained strong throughout the saga. Housing, protection of nature, and having a voice at the table were the main priorities for mana whenua, she said. They had been supportive over her decision to stand for the Māori ward. Crown observer 'didn't need to happen' Whanau said the atmosphere was "light" during her meeting with Local Government Minister Simeon Brown during which the appointment of a Crown Observer was discussed. "We've had independent advice that it didn't need to happen but I wanted to show Wellington that I was more than willing to work with the government to prove we could have a successful Long Term Plan ... it's back on track without the airport." The presence of the observer had helped with the management of councillors' behaviour, she added. She had a "polite" relationship with Brown and said things were warmer with the new minister Simon Watts. Whanau said it had been an honour to perform her first karanga at two events during her term as mayor. "One of the most special honouring moments of my life ... that has been an absolute privilege of this role."
