Meri Kirihimete
A message from our Co-convenors
E mihi atu ana ki a koutou i runga ano i ngā manaakitanga o Hine Raumati me ōna ahuatanga katoa. Me mihi anō hoki i roto i te hariharitanga o te kirihimete me te tau hoū. Kōia tēnei te wā ki te āta noho, ki te kai tahi me te whanau me ngā hoa, arā ki te whakaharihari tahi, ki te whakangahau tahi. Nā rēira, me tino okioki te tangata kia kaha ai mo te tau e tū mai nei, me ōna tūmanako me ngā taimahatanga anō hoki. E mahara āke ana ki ngā tini mate o te wā, hāere koutou, whakangaro atu. Kā hoki ano ki a tātou te hunga ora, tēna rawa atu koutou katoa.
As we wind up on a tumultuous 2023, we can take a breath and celebrate how far we have come.
Ngā Toki Whakarururanga has firmly become established in the trade space as a Tiriti advocate and watchdog. We are proud to be part of an impressive group of people who are powerful advocates across numerous networks.
Our Kaihautū provide guidance and direction, coming as they do from kaupapa directly impacted by international trade and investment agreements – whether it be climate, GMOs, rongoā, digital, arts, small businesses or matauranga Māori.
Our Pūkenga (‘brains trust’) are respected for their experience and forensic analysis of complexagreements that land in front of us, but also drawing up alternative chapters and clauses – often in a rush. The US-driven IPEF negotiations were especially challenging. This has resulted in many spirited exchanges with the Crown, as our team has drilled deeper into terminology to unpack if, and how, particular chapters or clauses might impact on Te Tiriti and our people.
n July we completed the establishment of Ngā Toki Whakarururanga by finalising our vision for “What does success look like?”, registering as an incorporated society and hosting our first AGM at Te Manukanuka o Hoturoa Marae, Auckland Airport.
We have a lively, engaging and challenging relationship with the Crown, one that is frustrating for both parties – but as Annette Sykes and Maui Solomon noted at the Te Kāhui a Kiwa/CPTPP hui at Waikato this year … who would’ve thought we would have all been sharing the stage on such a complex issue?
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind where our entity stands on anything – firmly embedded in Te Tiriti and He Whakaputanga, which defines who we are. We look forward to strengthening our relationships with the likes of Iwi Chairs, Te Taumata and FoMA – collaborating and communicating whenever possible
As co-conveners, we do appreciate our monthly meetings with NZ’s chief of trade negotiations Vangelis Vitalis and growing relationships between representatives of Ngā Toki Whakarururanga with other key players in MFAT.
A highlight this year was Te Kāhui a Kiwa hui at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato, supported by MFAT, that bought a Tiriti focus on issues for Māori arising from the TPPA/CPTPP. The hui saw a number of Ngā Toki Whakarururanga in their element, speaking with passion and eloquence – the kind that’s natural when you know your stuff. That Crown representatives were present and engaged was another positive. Moana and Jason Mika co-presented the outcomes to the CPTPP ministers, who were gathered for their follow up review conference, and encouraged them to do the same when hosting future conferences so they can hear genuine concerns from Indigenous Peoples.
Our people participated in panels at the annual World Trade Organization Public Forum in Geneva on different aspects of Māori, Tiriti and Indigenous rights affected by international trade agreements. Pita Tipene and Maui Solomon have helped lead the ongoing development of IPETCA, which has provided a model for engagement between Indigenous Peoples in APEC countries – one we expect will evolve as conversations around tino rangatiratanga will become front and centre of any trade discussions.
We acknowledge the mahi and support of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta and former Minister of Trade Damien O’Connor. We look forward to building relationships with Trade Minister Todd McClay and Rt Hon Winston Peters.
We have a lot of projects on the go, thanks to funding from Te Pae Tawhiti/Wai 262 on hua parakore, creatives, rongoā, and digital, and the Borrin Foundaiton on constitutional Kaupapa for international treat-making and climate/Te Taiao. We make no apology for dedicating ourselves to holding the Crown to account – as well as ourselves – through our Tiriti o Waitangi audit and assessment processes, this year on the UK and EU FTAs and for the review of the CPTPP.
Our goal in 2024 is to continue our outreach programme and consolidate policy positions on various kaupapa so Māori can be less reactive to the Crown’s agenda.
Here’s to 2024
Nā rēira, kia kaha ki te kai pūrini, ā ko tūmanako, ka peka atu a Hana Koko ki o koutou kainga noho.
Moana Maniapoto and Pita Tipene (pictured below)
