Matike mai! Māori-led constitutional transformation in Aotearoa/New Zealand

Abstract

‘Matike Mai Aotearoa’ is the Independent Working Group on Constitutional Transformation in New Zealand. Formed at a National Iwi Chairs Forum hui in 2010, this group was tasked with engaging communities nation-wide on developing a constitution for Aotearoa reflective of our kawa and tikanga (Māori laws and customs), the 1835 He Whakaputanga o Te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni (Declaration of Independence), 1840 Te Tiriti o Waitangi (authentic Treaty of Waitangi, Māori text) and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. At Waitangi in February 2016 the Group presented its report on its findings and recommendations on models for such a consItuIon and steps to be taken towards such a transformation. This initiative is just the latest in a long history of resistance to British colonial rule, and is the result of the enduring determination of hapū and iwi to hold fast to our mana and tino rangatiratanga – the sacred authority inherited from our ancestors – which we in turn must pass on to our descendants. This presentation will discuss the background to this initiative, the feedback received from communities, key findings and recommendations of the report, and the on-going work of Matike Mai Aotearoa.