'Learning about Te Tiriti is never-ending': Why Pacific-Māori unification vital

"If we're making Aotearoa-New Zealand our home then we better understand the people of the land."

That's how former Labour MP and Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio frames the importance of Pasifika and Māori working together.

Aupito is the chairperson of the interim council of chiefs, an initiative of Pacific communities in New Zealand to strengthen ties with Māori.

Speaking to William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Aupito said the assembly came as a move to uplift Pacific people's involvement in supporting Kotahitanga (Māori self-governance).

"We are family by virtue of history and genealogical connection," Aupito said.

"20 per cent of our young people who whakapapa directly to Māori but most of us have very little idea about the struggles and challenges Māori face.

"Most of us don't have an idea about Te Tiriti o Waitangi. And most of us probably feel we shouldn't be engaging."

Earlier in May Aupito was appointed chair of the Council of Chiefs at the Pacific General Assembly (PGA), which followed the hui-ā-motu called on by the Kiingitanga in January.

The first formal Talanoa Fono held between Tagata Moana elders and Māori representatives from Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei and Te Kiingitanga launched the Pacific General Assembly 2024 at Māngere Arts Centre in May. Photo /Supplied

Aupito said he was developing a framework to uplift engagement with Māori, which would include travelling across Aotearoa to hold workshops with groups and organisations about the PGA and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

"We're aiming to have two calendar events on a yearly basis. The first one is a poukai (King Movement gathering) with the Kiingitanga on the 20th of August.

"We've been given a special opportunity for Pacific peoples to come together and pay our respects."

Aupito said the talanoa he has had so far from communities in Porirua, Ōtara, Dunedin, and Wellington was positive. He added that they planned to hold another talanoa in Christchurch and Māngere.

"We'll continue doing that because learning about Te Tiriti is never-ending.

"The whole purpose of the PGA is if we're making Aotearoa-New Zealand our home then we better understand the people of the land."

However, Aupito acknowledged concerns about the male dominance of the Council of Chiefs, highlighting the need for inclusivity of women, youth, and the LGBTQIA+ community.

He said that the PGA is only the beginning and that he is mindful of the complexity of representation, as some marae may not have women sitting at the front.

"In the Sāmoan context, Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban is a matai.

"So, we're working through a structure to make sure we're protecting their mana and dignity and we'll engage with Māori to make sure that they're given proper space.

"We're really awakening an interest to learn about Māori history, to learn about the confiscation of land, to learn about the Te Tiriti o Waitangi and what that means for Tagata Moana."

Watch the full interview via 531pi's FB below: