Our energy has been focused on exploring the past and future focuses of The Treaty of Waitangi here at Global Women. Our Waitangi Day campaign invited our Members, our Partners, and our wonderful wider community to imagine what the next stage of milestones could look like, and when, for women. We looked at what’s happened—from the first women Prime Minister, to NZX-listed CEO and wāhine Māori Governor General— to possibilities until 2040 and beyond.
Celebrated historian Dame Claudia Orange has penned a thought-provoking opinion piece on Waitangi, on Global Women Partner, Stuff.co.nz, in this very spirit. Described as “a guru on all matters Treaty, whose mind is worth mining,” the opinion piece from our Member invites us to think about our place in the Path to Nationhood.
Just as we looked at what Aotearoa may become dotted with milestones for women, Dame Claudia’s piece looked at what might the Treaty relationship become? And how might we get there?
“Government in a democracy must have the support of the public for changes to continue to evolve” — Dame Claudia Orange
“It still requires solutions in the evolving Māori-Crown relationship that are acceptable to all involved, Māori and other New Zealanders,” shares Dame Claudia.
While it can be easy to point the finger at higher institutions to be the driving force for the changes we want to see, Dame Claudia reminds us of the power of individual, and as a result, collective efforts. “Government in a democracy must have the support of the public for changes to continue to evolve. This is essential for a true Treaty/Tiriti partnership.”
“At Waitangi itself, the name of the museum is Te Kōngahu, the unborn child.”
Also explored, is how current events, thought topics, and public responses to things happen in our nation can shape personal and public sentiment.
The evolution of te Tiriti is both symbolic and literal, tangible and abstract. “At Waitangi itself, the name of the museum is Te Kōngahu, the unborn child. It is a metaphor that indicates the 1840 agreement is yet to be fully shaped.”
Discover Dame Claudia Orange’s full insights, musings and historical touchpoints on The Treaty and Māori-Crown relationship on Stuff.co.nz for an inspiring, introspective read.