Māori Trustee reflects about kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga on Waitangi Day

Ki te taiao,
Ki te whai ao,
Ki te ao mārama,
Tihei Mauriora.

E totoka ai te tumu o te papatipu hei oranga mō Te Iwi Māori, o mua, o naianei, o ānamata hoki.

Ko Te Tumu Paeroa tēnei, te kaitiaki, kaitaunaki, kaiwhakawhanake i te mana o ngā whenua Māori, huri noa.

Today we commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We acknowledge the vast history of Aotearoa and use today as a time for reflection and celebration. We reflect on what it means to be tangata Tiriti and tangata whenua, and we celebrate the richness of our culture with whānau.

I want to acknowledge the passing of Titewhai Harawira during this time. Titewhai will be remembered as a powerful force against injustice and leading change for Māori, particularly wāhine Māori. It is fitting to acknowledge her devotion today to fighting for the rights of Māori. She leaves an incredible legacy for future generations and will be remembered for her courage and determination. Our thoughts are with her whānau, iwi, hapū and uri as they mourn her loss.

Moe mai rā e Titewhai.

As Auckland recovers from what is being called the ‘biggest climate event’ in New Zealand history, we are reminded of the worsening conditions of our environment and the impact it has on the livelihood of our communities. The unprecedented floods took the lives of four well-respected and loved people. I send my condolences to their whānau at this time.

Events like this remind us of the importance of the health of our whenua. Whenua is taonga tuku iho, a treasure handed down. For tangata whenua and our future rangatira, the land and the surrounding environment must be cared for. To care for the whenua is to uphold the mana of our people.

I want to end by reminding us all that the values of kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga are essential in ensuring the health and wealth of our communities. We should not only be kaitiaki to the whenua but to each other and manaaki each other through these turbulent times.

Toitū te whenua, toitū te ao Māori.

Māori Trustee, Dr Charlotte Severne