Issue 23 - Te Runanga A Iwi O Ngapuhi

Ae Marika
Ae Marika February 2011
Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi Magazine
Issue 23: February 2011
IN THIS ISSUE
Ngāpuhi - This Is Our Time:
Settlement Process Begins
•
Where Does Responsibility Lie for Our Reo?
•
The Internet Chef Barbies Some Mussells
•
Ngāpuhi on New Look Auckland Council
•
Tia Taurere Writes for us from Canada
1
CONTENTS
Ae Marika February 2011
Contents
Tūhoronuku
- Settlement Process Begins................................................................................................................. 3
- Settlement Gets Ngāpuhi Leaders Blessing................................................................................. 5
- Next Steps for Tūhoronuku: Seeking a Mandate........................................................................ 6
The Internet Chef
In this Issue Bridget Barbies Some Mussells................................................................................... 7
The Newlook Auckland Council
- Māori Statutory Board Gets Some Unwanted Attention......................................................... 9
- Ngāpuhi to the Bone: The Unlikely Councillor..........................................................................10
- How Auckland’s New Council Works.............................................................................................11
Waitangi Day Celebrations
- Hokianga Commemorates the Treaty..........................................................................................13
Who’s Responsible for Our Reo: An Indepth Look at the Issue
- Te Reo at Crisis Point: Waitangi Tribunal......................................................................................14
- What the Waitangi Tribunal Found Out About Te Reo..................................................... 15-18
- The Māori Language Strategy: The Government’s Response.............................................19
- A Local Perspective.............................................................................................................................20
New to Ae Marika: Photo Essays
- Kaumatua-Kuia Ball 2010..................................................................................................................21
Letter from Overseas
- Tia Aurere in Canada . ........................................................................................................................22
News Briefs: 2010 Māori Sports Awards
- Basketballer Reuben Te Rangi and Swimmer Cameron Leslie.............................................23
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ISSUE 23
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Settlement Process Begins
An historic comprehensive Ngāpuhi Te Tiriti o Waitangi settlement came a step closer last month with
Government Ministers endorsing Te Rōpu o Tūhoronuku’s strategy to seek a mandate from Ngāpuhi iwi.
The endorsement letter (on page 4) is signed by the
settled, and see the progress they have made, there is
no question that every year delayed is a year of wasted
Minister of Māori Affairs, Hon Dr Pita Sharples and
the Minister of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, Hon
opportunity for our iwi.
Christopher Finlayson.
“In terms of WAI 1040 Te Paparahi o Te Raki, Te Rōpu
Te Rōpu o Tūhoronuku is a group created in 2009
o Tūhoronuku strongly supports claimants having a
platform to air their grievances. We do not support
to represent the interests of all Ngāpuhi in Te Tiriti o
the traditional elongated process associated with the
Waitangi negotiations with the Crown. It is financially
Waitangi Tribunal process. We believe the hearings
underwritten by Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi to
must proceed with some semblance of order, driven by
advance settlement for all Ngāpuhi.
Ngāpuhi, not dictated or coordinated by lawyers as is
In a letter to Te Rōpu o Tūhoronuku Project Leader,
currently the case.
Lorraine Toki, the Ministers said the strategy was“sound”
“We have written to the Waitangi Tribunal asking for
and they were confident the proposals in the strategy
the allocation of a set number of weeks for Ngāpuhi to
“were in line with Crown criteria for a robust and
present tangata whenua evidence, prioritise the issues,
transparent mandating process”.
then set a number of weeks for these issues to be heard.
Said Ngāpuhi leader Sonny Tau: “This mandate strategy
endorsement from Ministers is a significant milestone in
“Te Rōpu o Tūhoronuku is open to working with those
our journey towards Treaty settlement.
who are committed to Ngāpuhi moving forward,” said
Mr Tau.
“It is only three years ago that our Kaumatua and Kuia
told Ngāpuhi leadership to get on with settling our
The Ministers’ endorsement of the strategy comes after
grievances against the Crown. Since then we have
three leading Northland MPs – Hone Harawira, Kelvin
been consulting with our iwi throughout Aotearoa and
Davis and Shane Jones – issued statements late last year
Australia. Overwhelmingly, they have told us to settle
in which they supported a comprehensive Ngāpuhi
and move forward as a people.
settlement.
“Non-settlement is holding back Ngāpuhi … and
The strategy is posted on www.tuhoronuku.com and
Aotearoa. When we look at other regions that have
Ngāpuhi are invited to provide comments.
Te Rōpu o Tūhoronuku members (left to right) Rāniera (Sonny) Tau, Titewhai Harawira and Hone Sadler.
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Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Ae Marika February 2011
4
ISSUE 23
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Taitokerau MP Hone Harawira (above); Labour MP Kelvin Davis addresses a crowd recently; Hon Shane Jones (Labour) above.
Settlement Gets Leaders Blessing
Ngāpuhi members of Parliament and a prominent kuia are supporting a comprehensive settlement
for Ngāpuhi.
Te Tai Tokerau MP, Hone Harawira:
not impede the overall progress that Ngäpuhi can make. I
A just and enduring settlement for Ngäpuhi must be
look forward to supporting the Ngäpuhi claims and will
“
encourage my colleagues across the House to act in a
a priority for this government - to rectify the substantial
similar fashion.
breaches of the Treaty in the homeland of the Treaty, the
“Ko te Tiriti he taonga i whakakaupapatia ai ki te Tai Tokerau.
land of Ngäpuhi, and to do so without delay.
Kua rite te wä me hohoro a Ngāpuhi ki te whakatutuki öna
“A just and enduring settlement for Ngäpuhi will be one of
take whenua, ngähere, moana, tangata, tikanga hoki. Me
the most significant and important of all Treaty settlements.
aro mai anō te Karauna kia ea ai ngā moemoeā”
“A just and enduring settlement for Ngäpuhi will enable
Labour MP Kelvin Davis:
the people of the North to move into a phase where the
development of potential stands alongside the redressing
“All Ngāpuhi have the potential to achieve greatness, but
of injustice.
for this to happen we need to operate with the collective
interests of all whānau and hapū that comprise Ngāpuhi iwi.
“A just and enduring settlement for Ngäpuhi will enable
the North to open the door to other possibilities. A just and
“Settling our claims is merely a step in our collective journey
enduring settlement for Ngäpuhi will be a blessing for the
towards greatness as a people, it is not a destination in itself.
whole nation.”
“Settlement should be viewed as a tool for whānau and
Labour MP Hon Shane Jones:
hapū to achieve a greater vision.
“Treaty settlements are an important part of Iwi
“Once settlement has been reached Ngāpuhi whānau and
development and the Māori position in our overall society.
hapū must work together to develop the plans, projects
It is important that the settlement of Maoridom’s largest
and dreams that will energise and inspire our people.
iwi, Ngäpuhi, proceed with pace. The North will definitely
“Other iwi have led the way but Ngāpuhi have traditionally
benefit from a settlement of this size.
been the leaders, not the followers.
“There may be internal challenges but such matters ought
(continued on page 6)
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Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Ae Marika February 2011
settlement will provide the foundation for Ngāpuhi to
Titewhai Harawira
break new ground as indigenous leaders.
Ngāpuhi kuia and leader Titewhai Harawira says Ngāpuhi
“I envisage the day in the not too distant future where
are ready to talk to the Crown about settling.
Ngāpuhi whānau and hapū are the backbone of business,
The 78-year-old matriarch has worked tirelessly over the past
art, spiritual, social, scientific and cultural enterprise in Te
two years to advance a comprehensive Treaty settlement
Tai Tokerau, and are prominent leaders on a national and
for Ngāpuhi.
international level.
“From my experience over the past years, I am confident
“To fulfil that vision we need an enduring settlement to
Ngāpuhi hapū and Ngāpuhi living in urban areas can be
resource Ngāpuhi whānau and hapū to achieve our true
involved in this process. Through Te Ropū o Tūhoronuku
potential and destiny as described by Sir James Henare, that
- the committee seeking mandate - all Ngāpuhi have the
is to become truly great Māori.”
opportunity to participate,”said Mrs Harawira.
The Next Steps - Tūhoronuku to Seek Mandate in April and May
Te Rōpu o Tūhoronuku hits the road in April and May,
4. Attend a hui – you can attend a Deed of Mandate
hui in your area and place your vote in the ballot box
holding 20 hui throughout Aotearoa and Australia (Sydney
provided at the hui.
and Perth) as it seeks a mandate to represent Ngāpuhi in Te
If you are unsure about whether you are registered, phone
Tiriti negotiations with the Crown.
0508 666 447.
During the next month, all registered Ngāpuhi will receive
a schedule of hui dates and venues in the post. These and
If you are registered and did not receive a voting pack by
much more information about the mandate process is also
15 April 2011, call free phone 0508 666 447 and request a
available on the website www.tuhoronuku.com.
voting pack to be sent to you.
To find out whether you are registered, or find out how to
Not registered
register, contact tuhoronuku@ngapuhi.iwi.nz or Freephone
If you are not registered and wish to vote, you will need
0800 101 084.
to attend one of the 20 Deed of Mandate hui being held
Registered
during April and May 2011.
If you are registered as Ngāpuhi with Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-
These hui will be notified on our website www.tuhoronuku.
Ngāpuhi, and are 18 or over, you will receive a voting pack
com and advertised extensively in local and area
in the mail in early April.
newspapers.
This will give you several ways in which to vote:
You will need to bring a form of identification with you
to the hui, in order to register to vote.
1. By mail – just fill in the voting form and return in the
You will then be validated by our Kuia or Kaumatua on
paid reply envelope supplied.
site. Once this has happened, you may cast your vote.
2. Online - you will be given the option to vote online by
following the instructions in your voting pack.
3. Free fax – you can return your vote by fax to the free fax
number supplied on your voting paper
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ISSUE 23
The Internet Chef
Bridget Tackles
An Ozzie-Kiwi
Tradition
Maori have been harvesting mussel or Kutai from the
shores of Aotearoa since the land was inhabited over
1,000 years ago and the mollusk was amongst one of the
first commercially gathered products in New Zealand.
Phone conversations with my Dad, who is back home
Recipe
in New Zealand, usually involve a detailed description
Tomato and chilli dressing
of his latest feast of fresh seafood. “The mussel’s bub,
2 firm tomatoes - cut in quarters with flesh removed
weeeeee you should see them! Fat! Juicy!” “Yeah,
and the skin cut into very small dice.
thanks Dad,” chokes back a sob.
1/2 cup of sweet chilli sauce
What can I say, it’s one of my absolute homesick
triggers and before I land back home in Aotearoa, I
1 small handful of fresh corainder leaves - chopped
am hitting up my relations to get the ‘welcome wagon’
fine
out by way of freshly collected seafood for the hungry
1 Tbsp of salmon sauce
homesick traveler. Don’t bother tying a yellow ribbon
1/2 small red onion ~ cut into very small dice
round an old oak tree; just collect another sugar-bag...
Mix all the ingredients together and season well with
I’m on my way home.
salt and pepper. Cover with cling film and rest the
As I had never thought to look for mussels in the
dressing for a couple of hours before using to allow
freezer, I was pleasantly surprised to find one of
the flavors time to develop.
New Zealand’s favorite exports amongst the frozen
offerings in the local supermarket.
With an ever so slight deterioration in quality, I thought
that mussels on the barbie would be a great way to
highlight a beautiful New Zealand product in a real
Aussie sort of way.
Firstly I make two dressings to drizzle over the mussels.
The first one is tomato and chilli and the second is a
mayo and anchovy. They get drizzled over the mussels
once they are removed from the barbecue.
(continued on page 8)
7
The Internet Chef
Ae Marika February 2011
Mayo and anchovy dressing
flat grill of the barbecue before I cook the mussels as
1/2 cup of best food mayonnaise (Best foods is the
this allows the mussels to cook in the juices and flavors
best for this)
that the steak leaves behind.
2 large anchovy fillets - mashed well with the back of a
Clean and de-beard your mussels by pulling the
large knife to form a smooth paste.
“beardy” looking part that protrudes from the shell.
The best way to do this is if the beards are proving
Mix together the mayo and anchovy mash with a fork
stubborn is to yank on them with a tea towel. Refresh
until well combined.
briefly under cold running water.
Slowly incorporate 2-3 tbsp of cold water and mix well
to form a dressing that is of a consistency that it can
Heat the barbecue up until searing hot and position
drizzle well.
the mussels in a single layer on a flat grill. Cook the
mussels only until the shells open. Seafood flesh
Season well with salt and pepper.
requires only short cooking times as lengthy cooking
To cook the mussels
will result in moisture loss through evaporation
leaving the flesh rubbery and unappetizing.
I like to cook steak or meat in clarified butter on the
The Internet Chef, Bridget Davis, was recently ranked number one influential food person on Twitter, Australia.
She also has been ranked in the top 15 food Tweeters in the world. Not bad for a Māori girl from Karetu. In the
next issue of Ae Marika she will explore the use of technology in making healthier food choices.
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ISSUE 23
Auckland
TE REO MĀORI
Council
Creeping Into the Public Gaze
Up to the New Year, the Auckland Council’s Māori Statutory Board had done a good job of flying
under the public radar.
That was until newly elected council members had
setting up the newlook council, Māori protaganists
pushed for separate Māori seats. Local Government
time to digest the implications of new legislation
Minister Rodney Hide declined to oblige, promoting
foist upon them as a result of the largest local body
the one rule for all theme.
amalgamation in the country’s history.
In this issue of Ae Marika we discover there are at
Some important considerations overlooked by the
least four members of the newlook council with
lawmakers and promoters had unwittingly included
Māori whakapapa; two to Ngāpuhi. Likewise, two of
giving the new board and its members voting status
the Māori Statutory Board’s members are Ngāpuhi
on each of the council’s 11 committees. The result
as well.
was a revolt by right leaning councillors who never
On the pages that follow we talk to one of the
envisaged the board had such rights.
least obvious councillors and discover not only is
Recently the right got their own back when the
he staunch Ngāpuhi, he’s a key figure ensuring the
council was setting its budgets, slashing the board’s
doors continue to swing both ways in an already
budget in half and setting the stage for a new
soured relationship.
showdown that will end up in the High Court.
We also find out how this new beast called the
The brief history lesson is important because in
Auckland Council works.
9
Auckland Council
Ae Marika February 2011
Meet Councillor Alf Filipaina Ngāpuhi to the Bone
He’s the link man in the newlook Auckland Council and fiercely Ngāpuhi.
But you wouldn’t recognise it judging by his surname.
Alf Filipaina was elected Manukau ward representative on the council at
last year’s local body elections, and is the organisation’s link to the Māori
Statutory Board that has been hogging all the headlines lately.
The controversy surrounding the board set up to give Māori a voice on the
new council, has not phased the Kawakawa-born cop.
“I’m happy they’re [the board] going to the high court because they’ve got
to draw a line in the sand and get clarification
to flush toilets.
around what this legislation means and then we
“I remember the trips up North for tangi and stuff
can all move on.”
and I used to think about the old outhouse and
Alf has a good grasp of his Ngāpuhi whakapapa,
used to hang on till we got to the service station.
even though being half Samoan on his father’s side
It’s my pakehafied-ness, if I can use that word. ”
he tended to be pushed towards his Pacific roots.
Alf said he still comes home at least once a year to
His mother was Sissy Remana and his whakapapa
visit his mother’s grave, but rarely gets the time to
is to the Moon (Munu) , Neho, Cassidy and Colenso
return North other than for tangi.
(Koroniho) in Awarua on the back roads of Kaikohe.
He is one of six children and had two of his own
Growing up, he said, his grandmother tried to
– one of which is about to embark on a double
teach them as much about their Māori side as
degree at Auckland University of Technology.
possible.
The 34-year veteran cop finds less time for his
“I remember when this Pacific liaision job came
day job with his council duties and said even
up at the cops, and there was this other one as
though he is Māori, one of three on the newlook
the Iwi liaision and I went to one of my kaumatua
organisation, he doesn’t consider it his sole duty to
– Maurice Wilson – and I asked him which one I
advocate for Māori issues though it seems that way
should take,” said Alf.
some times.
“And he said if you’re want to be tuturu Māori you’ll
“I supported Māori seats on the council and
follow your father’s line, and I was like man!”
even under the former council, I was seen as
His memories of Kawakawa are scratchy because
an advocate for Māori issues there because I
he left at a young age. But one of the vivid
believe our Māori community have a significant
memories he has is of the old “outhouse” – the
contribution to make and are quickly becoming
outside toilet.
economic powerhouses as well,” said Alf.
“I used to hate that thing and the smell and it was
such a blessing when I left and moved to the city
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ISSUE 23
Auckland Council
How Auckland’s New Council Works
The newlook council
The CCOs are independent of the council’s
operations and, in the case of companies, are set
replaced the Auckland
up under company law and have their own boards
Regional Council,
of directors. However, they are also accountable to
Auckland City Council,
Cr Des Morrison, who also has
whakapapa ties to Ngāpuhi
Manukau City Council,
Auckland Council.
North Shore City
Māori Statutory Board
Council, Papakura
The Māori Statutory Board sits outside the
District Council, Rodney
structural framework of the council. Its aim is
District Council,
to ensure council takes the views of Māori into
Waitakere City Council,
account when making decisions.
Franklin District Council
Its board members include two men who
and any associated
whakapapa to Ngāpuhi:
community boards.
•
James Brown.
It has two complementary and non-hierarchical
•
Tony Kake.
decision-making parts:
Mr Brown is the chairperson of the Ngai Tai ki
•
The governing body, consisting of a Mayor
Tamaki Tribal Trust and chief treaty settlement
elected by all Aucklanders and 20 councillors
negotiator for Ngai Tai ki Tamaki among other
elected on a ward basis.
things. He has previously served as chair and
21 local boards with members elected by local
member on a number of standing committees of
board areas.
councils throughout the Auckland region.
•
The governing body and the local boards share
Mr Kake’s whakapapa includes Ngati Hau of
the decision-making responsibilities of Auckland
Ngāpuhi. He is the CEO of the Papakura Marae,
Council:
with previous experience as a Funding and
•
The governing body focuses on the big picture
Planning Manager in Maori Health for the Counties
and region-wide strategic decisions.
Manukau District Health Board, and has more
Local boards represent their local communities
than twenty years experience in community
and make decisions on local issues, activities
development and social policy.
•
and facilities.
Auckland Council delivers services through the
council organisation and council-controlled
organisations.
Council-controlled Organisations.
Council-controlled organisations (CCOs) delivers
some services and manage some facilities on
Auckland Council’s behalf.
CCOs are organisations, trusts or companies in
which council controls 50 per cent or more of the
votes or has the right to appoint 50 per cent (or
more) of directors or trustees.
James Brown
11
Tony Kake
Waitangi Celebrations
Ae Marika February 2011
Some of the scenes from Waitangi Day celebrations in and around Waitangi this year.
Noise Provides Background to Waitangi Day Celebrations 2011
The fallout from the Maori Party’s hardline on Taitokerau MP Hone Harawira provided the background to this
year’s Waitangi Day celebrations at Waitangi.
While
From the annual political pilgrimages – where
the media circus acommodated the
cacophony
of
noises
that
followed
National and Labour dare to dip their toes in the
Hone’s
cesspit of Treaty-related issues – to the traditional
reprimand, behind the scenes both Māori and non-
pre dawn ceremonies, coupled with the pomp and
Māori alike enjoyed an eclectic blend of cultural
ceremony of the New Zealand Navy’s inquisition
displays, market stalls and events that forms the
once again, Waitangi Day in the Bay of Islands never
culture of the Treaty commemorations at Waitangi.
fails to deliver something for everyone.
Also at Waitangi was the Iwi Chairs forum. Rāniera (Sonny) Tau, Ngāpuhi (standing); Naida Glavish, Ngāti Whatua on his
right. Prime Minister John Key looks on. Sonny is supported by Ngāpuhi kaumatua Hone Sadler on the far left.
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ISSUE 23
Waitangi Celebrations
Celebrating the Treaty has become an annual event in the Hokianga as well. Scenes from the 2011 commemorations.
Hokianga Treaty Celebrations Reach 13th Year
It’s been running for 13 years, but the weekend’s
sign the Treaty on February 12, 1840. One of the
highlights were the young kaihoe taking part in
celebration of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi
the commemoration onboard the waka for the first
at Mangungu Mission House a week after Waitangi
time.The day also featured performances by award
Day on the Hokianga was by far the biggest.
winning musician Ruia Aperahama, performances
Over 2,000 people turned up for the annual
by Mataini representatives Te Whare o Puhi, and a
event at the historical site, that commemorates
re-enactment of the signing of the Treaty by Te Kura
the largest gathering of Chiefs – 70 of them – to
o Horeke.
Accompanying the Prime Minister were various aides including Lewis Moeau to his right. Ngāti Kahu Chair Dr Margaret
Mutu is to the right of Mr Moeau. Seated next to her is Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Findlayson.
13
Te Reo
Ae Marika February 2011
Who’s Responsible for Te Reo?
The Waitangi Tribunal set alarm bells off when it described the state of te reo Māori is at crisis point in its initial
report on the Wai 262 claim.
In a blunt assessment of te reo, the tribunal noted:
•
language agency.
Younger speakers of te reo were diminishing
2. Te Taura Whiri should function as a Crown-Māori
and native speakers were not being replaced.
•
partnership through the equal appointment of
Since 1993, the proportion of Māori children in
Crown and Māori representatives to its board.
early childhood education attending kohanga
3. Te Taura Whiri would need increased powers
reo had dropped from just under half to under
•
•
a quarter.
to ensure public bodies are compelled to
At school, the proportion of Māori children
contribute to te reo revitalisation.
participating in Māori-medium education has
4. Regional public bodies and schools would be
dropped from a high point of 18.6 percent in
required to consult with iwi in the preparation
1999 to 15.2 percent in 2009.
of their plans.
The total number of school children in Māori-
“In the end, the question is whether we as a nation
medium learning has dropped from each
wish to preserve te reo as a living language or not.
successive year since 2004.
•
If we do, our proposals merely reflect the urgency
If the peak proportions of the 1990s had been
ot the situation and the pressing need for thorough
maintained, there would be 9,600 more Māori
change,” said the tribunal’s Chief Judge, Joe Williams.
children attending kōhanga reo and and extra
5,700 Māori school children learning via the
medium of te reo.
•
At the 2006 Census, there were 8,000 fewer
Māori conversational speakers of te reo than
there would have been had the 2001 proportion
been maintained.
Assessing the reasons why, the tribunal said the
Crown’s performance over the past 25 years had a
number of shortcomings in fulfilling its obligations
to Māori, including policy failures and a lack of
resourcing.
While it didn’t lay all the blame at the Crown’s
feet – saying Māori too needed to guard against
complacency and whakamā – the reo ‘movement’
had been weakened by government failure too.
The report concluded there needed to be four
fundamental changes:
Ngāpuhi kaumatua, Nau Epiha.
1. Te Taura Whiri should become the lead Māori
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ISSUE 23
Te Reo
What the Waitangi Tribunal Found Out
In order to put the Waitangi Tribunal’s report into context, here we reprint part of the report’s historical
information on the decline of te reo.
Historical Decline and Post-1986 Revival
reo to their parents and older relatives, they would
Our assessment of the Crown’s current te reo policies
not speak Māori to their children. Parents simply did
not want their own children to be punished in the
and practices necessarily begins with a brief overview
way that they had been. Of course some children
of the state of the Māori language throughout the
were taught te reo, or at least could understand it
twentieth century. We traverse the historical period
well, but by and large English had become their first
(pre-1975) only briefly, in accordance with the
language.
presiding officer’s 2006 ruling that the remaining
hearings would focus on post-1975 events and that
The period from 1950 to 1975 was one of
no substantive findings would be made on historical
accelerating monolingualism, as education
claims. We draw heavily on the account provided by
policies were compounded by urbanisation and
the Tribunal in its 1986 report on the te reo Māori
associated practices such as ‘pepper-potting’. The
claim, which shared our focus on the post-1975
new generation of parents was convinced that their
period.
children had to speak English to get ahead, and thus
a whole generation grew up who either knew no
In short, many developments over more than two
Māori or knew so little that they were ‘unable to use
decades have today contributed to a full array
it effectively and with dignity’. The total domination
of contemporary Crown measures and policies
of English-language mass media also acted as an
aimed at reviving and promoting te reo Māori. The
‘incessant barrage that blasted the Maori tongue
two biggest areas of investment have been Māori
almost into oblivion’.
language education and broadcasting. Many of these
initiatives were first undertaken and driven by Māori
The main evidence provided to the Wai 262 inquiry
themselves.
about the twentieth-century history of te reo Māori
was Dr Williams’s report Crown Policy Affecting Maori
Towards English Monolingualism, 1900–75
Knowledge Systems and Cultural Practices . Like the
While many Māori were bilingual at the end of
te reo Māori Tribunal, Williams noted the research of
the nineteenth century, most spoke te reo as their
Professor Bruce Biggs, which showed that the ability
‘ordinary means of communication’. Then came what
to speak te reo amongst Māori children declined
the te reo Māori Tribunal identified as the first of three
from 90 per cent in 1913 to 80 per cent in 1923 to 55
25-year periods in the history of the Māori language
per cent in 1950 to 26 per cent in 1953–58 and to 5
in the twentieth century.
per cent in 1975.
During the first, from 1900 to 1925, Māori children
The Health of Te Reo in the Mid-1970s
went to school as monolingual Māori speakers and
Professor Biggs’s 1975 figure presumably derives
all effort was focused on them learning English. The
from the research of Dr Richard Benton for the New
children had to leave te reo at the school gate and
Zealand Council for Educational Research. Between
were punished if they did not.
1973 and 1979, Benton surveyed 6,470 Māori families
Between 1925 and 1950, the children of the first
(comprising over 33,000 individuals) throughout the
period grew to adulthood and, while they spoke te
North Island. (continued on page 16)
15
Te Reo
Ae Marika February 2011
He concluded that, in the mid 1970s, there were
speaking Māori as ‘the only real symbol of Maori
64,000 fluent speakers of Māori within the Māori
identity . . . For us to be able to speak Maori is
community (approximately 18 per cent of all
the truest expression of our Maori tanga. It is the
Māori) and another 30,000 who could understand
substance of our Maori tanga. It is our link with the
conversational Māori quite well.
past and all its glories and tragedies. It is our link with
our tipuna.’
However, he identified only two domains where
fluent speakers felt secure: on the marae and at
The presentation of this petition led to the annual
certain religious observances. Moreover, in only
celebration of Māori Language Day, which in 1975
170 of the 4,090 households surveyed with resident
became Māori Language Week.
children was the youngest child rated as fluent.
After 1975, Māori protests and petitions continued
Writing in 1991, Benton commented:
unabated. It is little wonder given the prevailing
It was clear that Maori was, by the 1970s, playing
mood of the Government (for example, the Minister
only a very marginal role in the upbringing of Maori
of Māori Affairs Ben Couch said in 1979 that he saw
children, and that, if
no need to take further
nature were left to take
legislative steps to
its course, Maori would
protect the language).
be a language without
Thus, in 1978, another
native speakers with the
30,000-signature
passing of the present
petition was presented
generation of Maori-
to Parliament, this
speaking parents.
time by the T e Reo
Later, in 2001, Benton
Māori Society of
and fellow researcher
Wellington. It sought the
Nena Benton reflected
establishment of a Māori
that the number of
television production
pre-school children
Hana Jackson’s petition
who could speak Māori
unit within the New
Zealand Broadcasting
fluently in 1979 was ‘almost certainly less than a
Corporation.
hundred’.
Another petition in 1981, signed by 2,500 people,
Māori Initiatives to Save the Language
called for Māori to be made an official language of
In response to the dawning realisation that the
New Zealand.
language was in serious peril, a series of Māori
The te reo revival was gathering pace. In 1979, Te
initiatives began that effectively brought te reo back
Ataarangi – a community-based Māori language
from the brink. In September 1972, the Ngā Tamatoa
learning programme – was initiated to teach
Council (led by Hana Jackson) presented a petition to
speaking and listening skills to adult Māori. Te
Parliament signed by 30,000 people, calling for Māori
Wānanga o Raukawa was established in 1981 to
culture and language to be taught in all New Zealand
teach Māori culture and knowledge at tertiary
schools.
level because of the lack of such provision in
Jackson’s accompanying submission referred to
the mainstream system. (continued on page 17)
16
ISSUE 23
Te Reo
Minister of Māori Affairs, Hon Pita Sharples (pictured standing), at the opening of Hoani Waititi in 1985.
The first urban Māori radio station,
Declaration’ in which bilingual school communities
T e Upoko o te Ika in Wellington, broadcast for one
called for the creation of an independent, statutory
Māori education authority to establish Māori control
week during Māori Language Week 1983.
and the autonomy of kaupapa Māori practices in the
Most significantly, perhaps, 1982 saw the advent of
education system.
the kōhanga reo (or language nest) movemen for
Māori preschoolers. Its philosophy centred around
These developments demonstrate that, alongside
kaupapa and tikanga Māori, as well as whānau
land, the health of te reo has been one of the two
involvement – in particular through the teaching of
great galvanizing issues in Māori protests over
tamariki by their grandparents.
Treaty rights during the last three or more decades.
Propelled by a profound depth of feeling and sense
The first kōhanga reo opened in Wainuiomata in April
of purpose, efforts to safeguard the Māori language
1982. With some support from the Māori Education
gave great impetus to the Māori ‘renaissance’ overall.
Foundation and the Department of Māori Affairs,
The Inquiry into the Te Reo Māori Claim
numbers rose rapidly, and by 1985 there were over
6,000 children attending 416 kōhanga reo. This was
In the mid-1980s, Māori concerns over te reo that had
clearly a grassroots movement of incredible energy
been building over the previous 15 years became
and momentum.
focused on the Waitangi Tribunal. The te reo Māori
Frustration at the lack of opportunities for children
(Wai 11) claim was brought by Huirangi Waikerepuru
to keep learning in te reo at primary school led to a
and Ngā Kaiwhakapūmau i te Reo Māori (the
Māori immersion primary school (or kura kaupapa
Wellington Māori Language Board) and primarily
Māori) being established, by Māori, at Hoani Waititi
sought to have Māori made an official language of
Marae in West Auckland in 1985. This was perhaps
New Zealand. The claimants also laid a number of
the most significant development in Māori language
complaints about the education system and the lack
schooling since the country’s first bilingual school
of broadcasting support for te reo.
was designated at
In its 1986 report, the Tribunal stated that it was
Rūātoki in 1977.
‘clear that the Maori language in New Zealand is
The birth of kura kaupapa was followed, Te Reo Māori
not in a healthy state at the present time and that
Society patron, in January 1988, by the ‘Matawaia
urgent action must be taken (continued on page 18)
17
Te Reo
Ae Marika February 2011
if it is to survive’. The Tribunal felt there was a danger
The Tribunal recommended that:
of Māori becoming like ‘Church Latin’, only ever being
•
used on ceremonial occasions. It did note, however,
Legislation be introduced enabling anyone to use
the Māori language if they wished in all courts
the advent of a ‘remarkable thing’ – the kōhanga reo
of law and in any dealings with Government
movement – which it felt demonstrated the ‘valiant
departments, local authorities and other public
efforts’ Māori parents were prepared to make to
bodies.
repair the damage to te reo.
•
The Tribunal reflected that Māori would become
A supervising body be established by statute
to supervise and foster the use of the Māori
an increasingly large part of the N ew Zealand
language.
population into the future, particularly amongst
•
the school-age population. It also anticipated that
An inquiry examine the way Māori children were
educated to ensure that all those who wanted to
more and more people would be inclined to identify
learn Māori could do so from an early age, with
with their Māori ancestry. New Zealand’s population
financial support from the State.
appeared to be undergoing a profound change,
which meant that ‘the demand for fluency in the
•
Broadcasting policy be formulated that had
Maori language will increase rather than diminish.
regard to the Crown’s obligation to recognise and
If there are difficulties put in the way of those who
protect the Māori language; and;
want to attain that fluency then serious social
•
tensions could develop’.
Bilingualism in Māori and in English become a
prerequisite for any jobs deemed necessary by
The Tribunal warned that the sense of social injustice
the State Services Commission.
associated with Māori concerns for their language
The Tribunal did not recommend that te reo Māori be
could become ‘explosive’. It also said that te reo Māori
a compulsory subject in schools, nor that all official
was ‘the embodiment of the particular spiritual and
documents be published in both English and Māori.
mental concepts of the Maori’, which in turn provided
At that time, it said, ‘we think it more profitable to
useful alternatives
promote the language than to impose it’.
to Western ways of thinking. The Tribunal cautioned
that, without te reo, ‘this new dimension of life from
which New Zealand as a whole may profit would be
lost to us’.
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ISSUE 23
Te Reo
The Response to the Loss of Te Reo
The Māori Language Strategy (2003) is the
language rate for Māori adults in Te Taitokerau is
cornerstone of the government’s response to the
32%, among an adult Māori population of 27,900.
decline in te reo.
•
The strategy is premised on five key goals:
Te Taitokerau has the second highest Māori
language rate among the eight regions in the
1. Strengthening language skills – build the overall
HML Survey. The HML Survey shows that more
pool of Māori language speakers, and the quality
people can understand the Māori language
of Māori language skills.
(46%) than speak it (29%).
2. Strengthen language use – foster opportunities
and outlets for people to use their Māori
•
language skills.
There are significant differences in the proportion
of Māori language speakers across age groups.
3. Strengthen education opportunities in the Māori
For those people aged up to fifty-five, the Māori
langugage – focus on Māori language education
provisions. Also opportunities for non-Māori to
speaking rate is 25%, whereas for those people
actively engage in learning and using the Māori
aged fifty-five or over the rate is 51%. However,
language.
the population of Māori speakers aged over
4. Strengthening community leadership for the
fifty-five is small compared to the population in
Māori language – plan language activities and
younger age bands. Older speakers are also more
initiatives at a local level.
proficient in the Māori language than young
5. Strengthen recognition of the Māori language –
adult speakers.
create a positive and receptive environment to
encourage people to use their Māori language
•
skills.
Since 2001, there have been marginal shifts in
Māori language proficiencies within the Māori
The strategy is a 25-year plan with its primary goal
to ensure that by 2028 te reo will be widely spoken
population in the region. For example: speaking
by Māori and commonplace within Māori homes
proficiency has decreased slightly from 32% in
and communities. The upshot being that “all New
2001 to 29% in 2006, and listening proficiency
Zealanders will appreciate the value of Māori
has decreased slightly from 47% in 2001 to 46%
language to New Zealand society.”
in 2006.
One way of gauging the effectiveness of the strategy
is to consider the latest information from census data
•
and surveys.
with their level of proficiency in the Māori
Overall, the results are consistent with the tribunal’s
language and desire to increase their language
findings. However, in Te Taitokerau, here’s what we
skill levels.
found out about the health of te reo:
•
Fifty-one percent of Māori adults are dissatisfied
According to the 2006 Census, the Māori
19
Te Reo
Ae Marika February 2011
The survival of te reo has thrown up some interesting
that it will survive with its mana intact . Ae marika te
issues. Ngāpuhi television presenter Julian
mahi o te wā”
Wilcox recently argued the pros of making te reo
compulsory. The New Zealand Educational Institute’s
Takawaenga, Lauren Park, agreed saying the time was
right.
Interestingly, the posh private boys school Kings
College in Auckland, has done just that; made te reo
compulsory for year 9 students. We asked Ngāpuhi
Kaumātua Nau Epiha for his thoughts. And our te reo
columnist Kene Martin wraps up our coverage of the
issue.
Te Reo is the life essence of Māori Existence
“From the time when tauiwi first landed in Aotearoa
Kene Martin
te reo o te kāinga began to disappear. That it was
Te Reo Tūturu o te Kāinga - Kene Martin
the beginning of the destruction of our reo,” says
Tino mamae ahau i te mohio kua kore taku reo, te
Ngāpuhi Kaumātua Nau Epiha.
reo o rātou mā, e hiahiatia e nga uri o tēnei wā. I te
He recalled the affect that the tikanga of tauiwi had
wā e ako ana ahau, i tuhi ahau wētahi waiata me ngā
upon his childhood and his whanau. “Our reo was
pukapuka i roto i te reo tūturu o te kāinga. Ko te tino
diminished by the politics of that period. The world
kaupapa o aku tuhi waiata, tuhi pukapuka raini mo ā
of te reo, the world of my parents and grandparents
tātou tamariki, he ako kupu, ako hitori i mahue mai e
was impacted upon by the ignorant practices and
ngā tupuna ki muri, he ako te reo o te kāinga me te
policies of tauiwi.”
ako i nga tamariki ki te panui me te tuhi kōrero. Ka
Matua Nau believes that te reo, a taonga handed
nui te hari o ngā tamariki ki ngā waiata me ngā kōrero
down to us by Io Matua Kore, has been taken over
i roto i ngā pukapuka. Tino horo rātou ki te hopu i
by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (the Māori Language
ngā kupu, engari i te wā i waiatatia ki nga tamariki
Commission) and it’s leaders. “We are now in the
katoa o te kura, i reira tētahi rōpū e pupuri ana i ngā
world of destruction with our reo. A system has
tohutohu o te Taura Whiri. Horekau pai tō rātou titiro
now taken over the mauri of our reo, the tapu of
mai ki ahau me ngā tamariki, i te mea horekau pai ki
our reo and worst of all the mana of our reo. For
ngā kupu o aku tūpuna. He pai kē atu ngā kupu o
example in Ngāpuhi we say mangu for black, not
Taura Whiri. Ko te hanga nei e whakangarohia ana
pango; wharetiko for toilet not wharepaku. Hence
ngā reo o ā tātou tūpuna.
the reason why I’m saying the real language of our
ancestors was executed and it never arrived to us –
Hei aha noa iho! Me ako, me kōrero tonu tātou i te
the generations of today. The language of Taura Whiri
reo i roto i ō tātou kainga. Ka mau tūturu tō tātou reo.
has taken the place of te reo o te kāinga.”
Ko te pai o tō tatou ake reo o te kāinga, i te rongonga
When looking at the best way to revive te reo, te
o te mita o tō reo, ka mohiotia ko wai koe, no hea
reo o te kāinga, te reo tūturu, he says that, “Building
koe, i runga i ngā marae maha o Aotearoa.
relationships – whanau coming together and
Whakaoratia tonu tō tātou reo, te reo o te kāinga.
working together - is key to reviving, maintaining and
uplifting the life essence of te reo. Thereby ensuring
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ISSUE 23
Kaumatua-Kuia
Photos from the Kaumatua-Kuia Ball in Kaikohe, November 2010
21
Ngāpuhi Overseas
Ae Marika February 2011
My family and I are currently living on Coast Salish Territory (Vancouver), Turtle Island (BC, Canada). The name
comes from their Creation story.
My children are aged 10, 9, 7 and 2 and my
In the centre was a shallow hole to cradled the
husband is tangata whenua, First Nations, from the
red hot rocks. There were six rocks for the first
Blackfoot-Anishinabe iwi, Alberta.
round, four rounds in total, acknowledging tupuna,
We look at this time on Turtle Island as an
wahine, tane and lastly ourselves.
adventure – discovering new lands and sharing
More red hot rocks are added in each round – so
cultures. The world is our place of learning.
the lodge got hotter and hotter towards the end.
There are many similarities with the First Nations
The smells were enchanting of cedar, sweetgrass,
culture and Māori culture, such as Long Houses
sage and other medicines that I am yet to learn
(wharenui) Totem poles (ngā Pou) canoeing (waka
about.
toa) weaving Cedar (Raranga Harakeke), and
The women had drums and rattles and feathers
Residential Schools (Missionary schools) to name a
of sacred birds. They sang ancient songs and said
few.
many karakia. I took the time to mihi and waiata
On a spiritual level, with their tikanga of ceremony
tautoko. The purpose is to cleanse the body, mind
and traditions, and their connections with
and spirit with karakia, acknowledge tupuna and
Papatuanuku me Ranginui, as well as the birds and
appreciate all creations.
animals.
Ngā mihi aroha ki te whānau
Our family eats traditional foods such as Buffalo,
Caribou, Elk and Moose. Here on the West Coast we
Tia Taurere
also eat a lot of Salmon. I learnt how to jar or can
Salmon so we have some stored for the winter.
The winter is heavy here in North America, being
close to the Arctic winds. The ocean is freezing all
year round. Recently there was a Full Moon Eclipse,
on Winter Solstice, it was a powerful time.
We woke before the sun and drove to a Sweat
Lodge ceremony at the University of British
Columbia (UBC) prepared by the First Nation
community. There were two sweat lodges: one for
tane, and another for wahine.
A big fire was burning outside, heating up the
grandfather volcanic rocks. There was much
tikanga to be acknowledged before, during and
after the ceremony. We smudged (cleansing with
cedar and sweetgrass, sage smoke) with an eagle
feather fan, and then proceeded to go into the
darkness of the dome shaped whare, likened to the
womb of Papatuanuku.
22
ISSUE 23
ARTS WINNER
Disabled Māori Sportsperson of the Year 2010, Cameron Leslie, Ngāpuhi, in action. Photo credit: Hannah Johnston
Junior Māori Sportsman of the Year 2010, Reuben Te Rangi, also of Ngāpuhi. Photo credit: SPH-SYOGOC/ Yeo Wee Han
23
For contributions to Ae Marika or any queries, email comms@ngapuhi.iwi.nz
or phone 0800 4 NGAPUHI (0800 4 64 2784). Opinions expressed in Ae Marika are those of the
writers and not necessarily those of Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi.
24