Reflecting on Te Tiriti breaches in light of the Treaty Principles Bill

 First, I want to say that I am frustrated. Frustrated that Pakeha New Zealanders don't always want to engage with Te Tiriti. Frustrated that David Seymour uses all this political speak that can make him look reasonable (even when he's not). Frustrated that a covenant made between two peoples can so easily be put on the chopping block. 

What does going back and trying to redefine our language achieve for Maori, the indigenous peoples of this land? All it aims to do is water down the truth that Maori never ceded sovereignty and ignores the multiple Te Tiriti breaches across decades. Thinking of all the confiscated land, the shamed and arrested Tohunga, the grandparents who lost their Reo in schools through sheer suppression - why are these things not the topic of discussion right now? What are we so afraid of?

My citizenship in this country is as Tangata Tiriti - this covenant is not a passing thing. It means my daughter can grow up knowing she belongs because we were welcomed in under the mana of Maori with the clear expectation that they would retain their rights, power and land. These things have been so undermined and it is both the job of my whanau, other Tangata Tiriti and Mana Whenua to work for restoration and healing. In fact it's not just a job, it's a privilege because a society that flourishes is one that keeps it's promises - not one where we decide to just erase the past.