Otakou celebration reflects on relationships

An ever-growing appreciation of the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi has led to growing crowds attending the Ngai Tahu Treaty Festival Waitangi Day commemorations, Otakou kaumatua Edward Ellison says.

About 300 guests were called on to the Otakau marae yesterday morning when the Otago Peninsula was again the setting for the South Island’s primary celebrations.

This year, acknowledging the Treaty signatories was a stated theme and Mr Ellison’s forebear Hoani Karetai signed the treaty at the site on June 13, 1840. As the 200th anniversary, in 2040, of the Treaty signing approached, an improving relationship between Maori and Government and the improving cultural relationship between Maori and Pakeha were equally important.

The document was central to New Zealand’s identity, yet the relationships it established were in the "early days still, believe it or not", Mr Ellison said.

"I would hope that in 2040 those partnerships are securely, or, well established. And that we really do have those partnerships functioning across all relationships that we have, both at a Crown governmental level, but also at a regional level," he said.

Kiliona Tupai (left) and Waikahutia-Tamati Tupaim perform the wero, or challenge, as visitors are...
Kiliona Tupai (left) and Waikahutia-Tamati Tupaim perform the wero, or challenge, as visitors are led on to the marae by kaikaranga Mere Montgomery (centre) during the Ngai Tahu Treaty Festival Waitangi Day commemorations at Otakou marae on the Otago Peninsula yesterday. Dignitaries attending included (from left) the Rev Wayne Te Kaawa, Minister of Health and MP for North Dunedin David Clark, Dunedin South MP Clare Curran and Otago Regional Council chairwoman Marian Hobbs. CHRISTINE O’CONNOR
"There’s no point having a partnership if one part of the partnership doesn’t understand some of those key concepts that underpin our culture and our way of being. Very much a part of a ‘partnership’ is our partner understanding those, and being comfortable and at ease."

After the customary challenge to visitors was accepted, and the crowd settled on the marae grounds, several of the dignitaries, which included members of Parliament, mayors and other community leaders, spoke and offered koha to the hosts.

Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins reflected on the past 180 years of Pakeha "taking up too much space".

"This is about making space, and today is about relationships. And a relationship isn’t two people turning up. A relationship is — and a partnership is — a true partnership is two people, or two groups, coming together on an equal footing. And for us to be able to achieve that, those who have taken up too much room for far too long need to make a little space."

Speakers also paid tribute to the late Tahu Potiki, former Ngai Tahu chief executive, who died in August last year.

After the welcome, a Parihaumia performance opened the public celebrations at 11.30am, followed by speeches from Lisa Tumahai, Pirimia Burger, Peter Burger, Dr Michael Stevens, and Edward Ellison.

 

Comments

What the heck was hawkins on about?, much gobbledygook coming from him. You would think as a perpetual student from the university he would make a better speech than that.

 

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