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Join us to explore how the Treaty of Waitangi is relevant to you
In this series, four respected Pākehā voices will speak about the Treaty from their own experience and research
Thursday Oct 24 & 31, Nov 7 & 14 2024
2 sessions on each date - 12-2pm in Whangārei Library and 7-9pm at 116 Bank St
The talks are for everyone, but particularly those keen to explore how Te Tiriti is key to New Zealand's harmonious future.
As numbers are limited in both venues, we recommend booking in advance - use the links below to secure your place.
Speakers will be introduced by a guest MC, who will also host a Q&A session at the end, so please bring your questions.
Thursday 24 October:
Becoming Tangata Tiriti – What does it mean?
(Speaker: Avril Bell / MC: Sheryl Mai)
Thursday 24 October:
Becoming Tangata Tiriti – What does it mean?
(Speaker: Avril Bell / MC: Sheryl Mai)
"We are used to thinking that the Treaty of Waitangi is all about Māori, but it’s also about the rest of us."
Avril Bell will talk about her new book, Becoming Tangata Tiriti, in which twelve non-Māori New Zealanders share their thoughts and experiences of what becoming a ‘treaty person’ means to them in their work with, and in support of, Māori.
Becoming Tangata Tiriti is an accessible and introductory resource for non-Māori interested in learning more about forging productive relationships with Māori and about what the Treaty of Waitangi offers us all. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing by the author.
About Speaker Avril Bell:
Avril is a Pākehā New Zealander from Kaitaia. She is an Honorary Associate Professor in Sociology at the University of Auckland. Throughout her career she has researched what it means to be Pākehā and Māori-Pākehā relationships in the context of the legacy of our colonial history. Her book, Relating Indigenous and Settler Identities: Beyond Domination (2014, Palgrave) extends her focus on New Zealand to make connections between here and indigenous-settler relations in Australia, Canada and the USA. She is also co-editor of A Land of Milk and Honey? Making Sense of Aotearoa New Zealand (2017, Auckland University Press).
About MC Sheryl Mai:
Born in Putaruru, Sheryl has lived, worked and loved in Whangārei for nearly 40 years. She was Mayor of Whangārei District Council for nine years from 2013-2022. Highlights of her time as Mayor include guiding the Council through the introduction of a Māori Ward, and the transformation of Te Kārearea from an advisory committee to the status of a standing strategic partnership committee of Council.
Thursday 31 October:
From 'The Treaty & Me' to 'Te Tiriti & We'
- Becoming a Pākehā Tiriti Ally in the Workplace
(Speaker: Ngaire Rae / MC: Sir Chris Farrelly)
Thursday 31 October:
From 'The Treaty & Me' to 'Te Tiriti & We'
- Becoming a Pākehā Tiriti Ally in the Workplace
(Speaker: Ngaire Rae / MC: Sir Chris Farrelly)
Pākehā working within systems such as health can wonder what how to address racism and support the implementation of Te Tiriti. For her PhD study, Ngaire Rae talked with seven Pākehā health leaders working in the system about their experiences advocating and implementing Te Tiriti-based action. Each of these participants were endorsed by Māori as critical allies. Ngaire developed Whiti Mai te Rā, a five-part model to describe core concepts which can guide Pākehā wanting to address racism, improve health equity and implement Te Tiriti. This talk will describe the model, with the aim of providing guidance to Pākehā working within health but also other institutions. The model is embraced by hope, love and courage combined with a commitment to genuine, respectful relationships.
About Speaker Ngaire Rae:
Ngaire is a Whangārei local, having lived here with her husband Richard Pehi for the last 30 years. She grew up just down the road in the coastal village of Waipu Cove. Ngaire is a member of Network Waitangi Whangārei and has been running Te Tiriti / health equity / anti-racism workshops over the last few decades, but more consistently over the last few years. Ngaire recently submitted her PhD which looked at how Pākehā can contribute to a Tiriti-based anti-racist health system. Prior to doing full time study, Ngaire worked as a health promoter and led initiatives in diverse areas such as healthy housing, alcohol, gambling and tobacco control, and child poverty. Ngaire has always been active in her community – she was a member of Tryphina House Women’s Refuge for over 15 years and a previous Deputy Chair for Northland DHB. She is currently secretary for STIR: Stop Institutional Racism, deputy chair of Foundation North, and chair of Waka Ama NZ, a sport she is passionate about.
About MC Sir Chris Farrelly:
Sir Chris is a 5th generation Pākehā New Zealander who has spent much of his working life in Health, Community Development and Dispute Resolution. This has included 13 years as founding CEO of Manaia PHO, followed by a role as Auckland City Missioner, where he oversaw the development of Home Ground, a powerful beacon of generosity and hope. Justice and equity have been strong personal drivers for Sir Chris, and as 'Tangata Tiriti', being actively in relationship with Māori is important to him.
Thursday 7 November:
The Treaty of Waitangi - Confessions of a Middle Aged White Guy
(Speaker: Paul Barlow / MC: Damian Pullen)
Thursday 7 November:
The Treaty of Waitangi - Confessions of a Middle Aged White Guy
(Speaker: Paul Barlow / MC: Damian Pullen)
“We all feel like we're the hero of our own story - so what do you do when you discover you're the villain of someone else's?”
As a middle-aged white guy, Paul Barlow grew up in a world where history was whitewashed and no-one seemed to have noticed - his school houses were named after British soldiers who started the Waikato land wars and a mercenary who killed innocent women and children, in a school in the heart of the Kiingitanga. Scarily, no-one seemed to think that was disrespectful.
It wasn't until Paul was in his early 40s that he discovered he was the direct descendant of colonisers who played a part in a process that destroyed Māori crops and dug up their dead in the name of "progress" and "civilisation". It raised a lot of questions - how guilty should he feel for what his ancestors did? How do the descendants of those impacted feel about him, his family, their actions, now 140 years later? And is there anything he can do to make amends - is that white guilt speaking?
Join Paul to explore the way he worked through this to learn more about what Kotahitanga (“one people”) really means, and how Te Tiriti is the guide to making that happen.
About Speaker Paul Barlow:
With 25,000 followers across his ‘Paul … The Other One’ TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube platforms; qualifications in media theory and communications; and experience working across print, radio, and online media; Paul Barlow brings a unique perspective to the world of online commentary, where he strives always to ‘let the truth ruin a good story’.
About MC Damian Pullen:
Damian Pullen is a Pākeha of English ancestry, and lives on Te Whānau a Rangiwhakaahu whenua at Matapouri. Damian is a counsellor at Te Kāreti Katorika o Pomapārie in Whangārei and enjoys working with taiohi. He is studying te reo Māori at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Damian is committed to a Te Tiriti-based future for Aotearoa.
Thursday 14 November:
The Treaty Principles Bill and its Context - Values and Action
(Speaker: Max Harris / MC: Ngaire Rae)
Thursday 14 November:
The Treaty Principles Bill and its Context - Values and Action
(Speaker: Max Harris / MC: Ngaire Rae)
Barrister, campaigner, and writer Max Harris will explain what Te Tiriti o Waitangi is, what the Treaty principles are, and why we should be concerned about the Treaty Principles Bill.
He'll explore his personal experiences of engagement with te ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and talk about how that engagement has enriched his life. He'll then turn to our collective Te Tiriti relationships, and the work that remains to be done, including to speak up and against the Treaty Principles Bill.
About Speaker Max Harris:
Max Harris (Pākehā) is a barrister, campaigner, and writer. He works for Thorndon Chambers and Actionstation; and writes occasional columns for the New Zealand Herald, Stuff, Newsroom and other outlets. He has a PhD in constitutional law and has previously worked as a United Nations Development Programme consultant, an economic policy advisor, and a judge’s clerk to the Chief Justice. He is the author of the book, The New Zealand Project.
About MC Ngaire Rae:
Ngaire is a Whangārei local, having lived here with her husband Richard Pehi for the last 30 years. She grew up just down the road in the coastal village of Waipu Cove. Ngaire is a member of Network Waitangi Whangārei and has been running Te Tiriti / health equity / anti-racism workshops over the last few decades, but more consistently over the last few years. Ngaire recently submitted her PhD which looked at how Pākehā can contribute to a Tiriti-based anti-racist health system. Prior to doing full time study, Ngaire worked as a health promoter and led initiatives in diverse areas such as healthy housing, alcohol, gambling and tobacco control, and child poverty. Ngaire has always been active in her community – she was a member of Tryphina House Women’s Refuge for over 15 years and a previous Deputy Chair for Northland DHB. She is currently secretary for STIR: Stop Institutional Racism, deputy chair of Foundation North, and chair of Waka Ama NZ, a sport she is passionate about.
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