Discourses/7. New Zealand: “I Have a New Taiaha”: Learning New Ways to Advocate for the Rights of Mokopuna Māori

Abstract

This chapter describes the authors’ work with a uniquely Aotearoa New Zealand group, the Māori (indigenous people) Wardens. Their experiences of learning about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC) in the context of their lived experiences of childhood is revealed based on interviews and comments shared during Child Rights and Advocacy workshops. The chapter reveals two key messages; first, that the UN CRC is not currently promulgated effectively to promote and protect children’s rights; and second, that Māori Wardens are in a unique position to advocate for the ‘hard-to-reach’ and the most disadvantaged. In their voluntary role they witness first hand, the impacts of harsh, neo-liberal economic ideology on whānau, where, as is revealed, they recognise the unrealised potential of principle articles of the UN CRC.

Dedication to Emeritus Professor Anne Smith

E te toka tū moana o ngā tikanga tamariki

Nāu te karanga i tuhituhi māua i tenei wāhanga o te pukapuka nei

Nāu i whakahirahira

Nāu i whakaohooho

Nāu i whakamanawa i a māua ki te whai tonu tenei mahi hōhonu/hira

Nō reira e te rangatira

Moe mai i tō moenga roa

Moe mai, moe mai, moe mai rā

To you, a rock who stood strong for the rights of children

We dedicate this chapter to you

It is your voice that extols us

It is your voice that inspires us

It is your voice that supports us to persist in this important work

Therefore, esteemed leader

Rest in your resting place

Rest, rest, rest in that distant place

(ii) Legislation

1.1 Non-discrimination

• 15. The Committee recalls its previous recommendation (CRC/C/NZL/CO/3–4, para. 25) and recommends that the State party ensure full protection against discrimination on any ground, including by:

  • (a) Taking urgent measures to address disparities in access to education, health services and a minimum standard of living by Māori and Pasifika children and their families; CRC/C/NZL/CO/5.

  • (b) Strengthening its measures to combat negative attitudes among the public as well as other preventive activities against discrimination and, if necessary, taking affirmative action for the benefit of children in vulnerable situations, such as Māori and Pasifika children, children belonging to ethnic minorities, refugee children, migrant children, children with disabilities, lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender and intersex children and children living with persons from these groups;

1.2 Right to Identity

• 19. While appreciating the State party’s efforts to preserve Māori identity, including through language and television programmes, the Committee is concerned that these efforts remain insufficient and recommends that the State party:

• (a) Intensify efforts to promote and foster Māori language, culture and history in education and increase enrolment in Māori language classes; CRC/C/NZL/CO/5 GE. 6.

• (b) Ensure that Māori children adopted by non-Māori parents have access to information about their cultural identity

• (c) Ensure that all government agencies developing legislation and policies affecting children take into account the collective dimension of Māori cultural identity and the importance of their extended family (whānau) for Māori children’s identity.

The full UN Committee statement reads: (a) Adopt a comprehensive policy and strategy for the implementation of the Convention and its first two Optional Protocols. They should be developed in cooperation with the public and private sectors involved in the promotion and protection of children’s rights, as well as in consultation with children, and based on a child rights approach. This policy should encompass all children in the State Party and all areas covered by the Convention, be supported by sufficient human, technical and financial resources, clear and adequate budgetary allocations and a time frame, as well as follow-up and monitoring mechanisms; The UN Committee Report for New Zealand can be downloaded from http://www.acya.org.nz

Much to the dismay of the children’s sector in Aotearoa NZ, the Government has established a Ministry for Vulnerable Children. Judge Andrew Beacroft, the recently appointed Children’s Commissioner, has openly criticised the name of this ministry and has publically refused to refer to it as such, preferring instead to use the Māori name “Oranga Tamariki” which translates loosely as children’s wellbeing. A specific recommendation by the UN Committee urges the Government to consider a name change as it currently stigmatises and marginalises those children it is designed to serve. It remains to be seen whether or not this is actioned but it seems unlikely.

(i) Glossary

Aata

Practice of respectful relationships

Aotearoa NZ

The Maori name for New Zealand (NZ)

Aroha

Love, compassion and service

Hapū

Collective of related families descended from a common ancestor(s)

Iwi

Collective of hapū descended from a common ancestor (s); sometimes called a tribe

Karakia

Blessing

Kaunihera Māori

Māori Council

Kia moana

Sea food

Kōhanga Reo

Māori early childhood centre

Kōrero

Speak

Koro

Grandfather

Māori

Indigenous people of New Zealand

Marae

Traditional building used as a place for people to gather

Mihi whakatau

A welcome ceremony

Mokopuna

Progeny, children and young people

Oranga Tamariki

The Māori name for the Ministry for Children, loosely translated as children’s wellbeing

Pākehā

British, English

Poroaki

Farewell

Rangatiratanga

Autonomy, authority, self-determination

Rohe

A geographical area defined by the sovereignty of an ancestor(s)

Taiaha

Traditional spear

Tamaiti

Child

Tamariki

Children

Tangata whenua

Indigenous people, Māori

Tangata

Person/people

Taonga tuku iho

Values, traditions, treasure handed down from ancestors

Te Ao Māori

The Māori worldview

Te Puni Kōkiri

Ministry of Māori Development

Te reo Māori

The Māori language

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

The Treaty of Waitangi

Te Whakatakoto Tikanga

Plan, strategy

Teina

Younger sibling

Tikanga

Correct ways of doing things, protocols and rules

Tuakana

Older sibling

Tūmanako

Desire, hope

Turangawaewae

A place to stand/belong by birth right and genealogy/ancestry

Waiata

Song

Wātene

Warden of the community

Whakapapa

Genealogy

Whakawhanaungatanga

To make connections between people; building a sense of belonging and reciprocal obligations

Whānau

Family

Whānaungatanga

A process of making transparent the extended family relationships and their inherent obligations