Tāngata whaikaha join the nationwide hīkoi for Te Tiriti

As disabled people, we know how important it is to have a place to belong and contribute to thriving communities. This is what Te Tiriti o Waitangi is about.

It's the key agreement that says that as long as people who arrive in Aotearoa respect tikanga or Māori ways of doing things then they can have a place to live and belong here.

In te ao Māori, everyone using their strengths to contribute as part of whānau and communities is important. Māori language, stories, and ways of thinking about disability are taonga.

Now more than ever, those taonga are under threat, because the promise of Te Tiriti o Waitangi is being challenged. We spoke to people across our communities about the Toitū Te Tiriti hīkoi and why it matters to them.

Why this is important to us

When asked about why they were participating in the hīkoi, some people in our community said they felt they had a duty to be involved. Erin Gough, who is a migrant in Aotearoa, said they had a responsibility to understand the history and power dynamics of how the country was formed and how they benefit from those as a Pākehā person. 

“I have a responsibility to uphold the promise of tino rangatiratanga enshrined in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to commit to the ongoing quest of Māori for self-determination - something that as disabled people, we are fighting for in our communities also.”

Patti Poa (Ngāpuhi) says she is thinking about the past, present and future generations. “As tāngata whenua/people of the land and whānau hauā/Māori disabled, Te Tiriti/The Treaty and the hīkoi is a part of what we live every day as Māori.” She says participating in the hīkoi is about connecting to her ancestors. “I thrive today because of the taonga/treasures passed down to me by my tupuna/ancestors, so I want to create a better world for our mokopuna/children.”

Robbie Francis Watene believes we all have a role to play in ensuring the promise of Te Tiriti o Waitangi is honoured. “I believe Te Tiriti is something to protect, to nourish, to embrace, and to celebrate. It is a cloak that wraps around us and protects us all - both Māori and non-Māori. This includes our disabled, tāngata whaikaha and whānau hauā Māori communities."

"I wholeheartedly support discussion and debate. But the Coalition Government’s approach to this kōrero has been unilateral. One-sided. It is not inclusive, respectful or safe. It is not accessible, balanced or collaborative. I am certain this Bill and its select committee process, will not bring harmony, unity or peace. This is why it is an important kaupapa to me,” Francis Watene says. 

Pieta Bouma is participating to send a message to the Government that she won't tolerate their divisive and racist tactics. “I am joining this hikoi because I feel so grateful to be able to share this beautiful land with tāngata whenua, so I want to fight to protect the document that makes this peaceful coexistence in this beautiful country possible.” 

For Áine Kelly-Costello, participating in the hīkoi is about “resisting this Government's relentless attacks on Te Tiriti and tangata whenua”. 

Stace Robertson is joining the hīkoi as an acknowledgement that Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the foundational document that enables Pākehā to live in Aotearoa. “Without Te Tiriti o Waitangi we have no legal right or standing to be in Aotearoa and I think the Treaty Principles Bill is really harmful. It perpetuates the colonial attitude that has done so much harm including the way it is a deficit based understanding of disability that has oppressed Māori understandings and continues to harm.”

How I’m participating in an accessible way

Kelly-Costello, alongside Poa, have been gathering information on accessibility and manaaki for disabled communities during the hīkoi to encourage more people to know their participation matters and find one of many ways to be part of it.

Poa says in creating the accessible information document, they also found funding for NZSL and trilingual interpreters, created NZSL videos and connected with hīkoi organisers to give the opportunity for tangata whaikaha and whānau hauā to join in. 

Poa knows people are participating, no matter what their impairments are: “wheelchair users, walkers, canes, crutches, mobility scooters, prosthetics, Mana Turi, Tāngata Turi, Ngāti Kapo/Blind and more. It is a journey together,” she says.

Bouma, who is also participating as a marshall, is adapting her wheelchair and bringing sustenance. “I will be bringing my detachable motor to help me up the harbour bridge! I will also be bringing lots of water, snacks, a sunhat and will leave early if I get tired.” Robertson will be going along via mobility scooter, taking ear plugs, water and wearing a mask. 

Francis Watene’s whānau are all participating - her husband and son will join the hīkoi, while she and her baby daughter will carkoī from Auckland to Rotorua and attend the pōwhiri and activations along the way.

Gough plans to participate at two hīkoi in person, but they also have a 'together for te tiriti' sticker on their wheelchair “which I feel is a good way of showing my support wherever I go”, they say.

Our hope for the future

Poa’s ultimate dream in the future is “a safer place for all of our mokopuna/children and mokopuna hauā/disabled children”.

For Kelly-Costello, it’s about connecting with te ao Māori and the land. “I hope tāngata whaikaha Māori and whānau hauā are increasingly able to access their culture and whenua.”

Gough believes it will take a long time for there to be a significant shift towards justice. “We are in a big downward slope during our history - and we will be in it for a while, but eventually the downward part of the curve will start to swing back up. History has taught us that. In the meantime, hold on. Show love, care, and solidarity how you can. Toitu te tiriti!” 

In 12 months time, Francis Watene hopes more non-Māori, especially from our disability community, will be confident in embracing their identity as Tāngata Tiriti. “We need to reframe our thinking about Te Tiriti o Waitangi - it is actually such a privilege to be part of this wonderful, unique, culturally diverse country where indigenous and non-indigenous peoples can live in peace and harmony under the protection of Te Tiriti. Let’s embrace it, not fear it!”

As disabled people across Aotearoa, let's show that we stand/sit/roll with tāngata whaikaha Māori and all tāngata whenua. If you’re looking for another way to show your support, this Sunday November 17th from 10am-1pm, The D*List be hosting a banner and sign-making workshop for whānau hauā, tāngata whaikaha, disabled and d/Deaf people who would like to create signs and banners to come together for Te Tiriti over the coming months.

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