Leading from the front issuu

“One of the keys to the
rebalancing of relationship,
and particularly power and
resources is education for
Tangata Tiriti/Pākehā
to gain knowledge and
understanding and to embrace
the Treaty as a partner. One
of the biggest blocks at present
is fear based upon ignorance.”
on in the capital but I still get surprised at some of the
anecdotal evidence I hear.
More people are acknowledging that if we want to do
the right thing, we need to honour the original intent of
the Māori text of Te Tiriti so there’s definitely a changing
landscape, and around the constitutional conversation
as well. People are starting to ask, “How would we run
our country if we were to honour Te Tiriti?” and a lot are
really quite open to that conversation.
ECAN GETS ON BOARD
WITH TE TIRITI
Are we getting past the ‘lip service’ stage of Treaty education,
of people going through the motions of learning
about Te Tiriti, to genuinely connecting with it?
In some areas more than others. Different places are in different
spaces and Environment Canterbury (ECAN) is a good
example of that. They had a poor relationship with Ngai Tahu
prior to commissioners coming in following the sacking of the
Christchurch City Council in March 2010. One of the first jobs
the commissioners were tasked with was improving the relationship
with Ngai Tahu and that was the beginning of a new
way. As an organisation ECAN has come a long way. Through
the Tuia programme, which helps groups and individuals understand
what it means to be a good Treaty partner, ECAN
now has a deep commitment as an organisation to Te Tiriti.
Do you think honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi needs
specialised teachers?
Yes, ideally. You can give teachers the knowledge and
processes but unless they have empathy and the right
intent, which is actually more important than the knowledge,
then the teaching might not be as effective.
How can we do better?
I think Pakeha and non-Māori need to be more courageous
and brave in our conversations. If we come across
ignorance, instead of saying nothing, we can say, “Actually,
I don’t share that point of view.” We can do better by
opening up conversations within our communities and
workplaces. That’s one of biggest blocks to Māori getting
on and fulfilling their own aspirations; when people
attend workshops and take on board Te Tiriti but don’t
share that new knowledge.
Friday 6 September 2019 marked a
significant moment in the relationship
journey between Environment
Canterbury and Ngāi Tahu. It was
celebrated appropriately too, with
the unveiling of a mauri pounamu,
which is now located in the atrium
of the Environment Canterbury Tuam
Street building in Christchurch. Initially
the relationship wasn’t one of
trust, and it took work on both sides to bring it to a place worthy
of acknowledgment, a relationship now based on respect,
good faith, and a shared need to work together. The pounamu
was entrusted into the care of Environment Canterbury from
Ngāi Tahu, under the permission, blessing, and guidance of
the Ngāti Māhaki hapū of Makaawhio, South Westland.
Sharon Annett and Robert Consedine, the Treaty Workshop team
beside the mauri pounamu; celebrating the Tuia relationship with
ECAN — a significant journey.
Healing our History through Te Tiriti 203