Mana Whenua Aotearoa
Whatungarongaro te Tangata, Toitū te Whenua
The history of Mana Whenua is a powerful testament to our resilience as Tangata Whenua throughout centuries of change. From our origins in Te Ao Māori to the struggles during colonial times and the emergence of movements like Black Power, Mana Whenua remains central to our whakapapa (identity) and Tino Rangatiratanga (sovereignty).
As we continue to navigate the complexities of contemporary Aotearoa, we draw on the mana of our tīpuna, through mana whenua, to reclaim our rights to our way of life, and ensure the survival of our tikanga.
Together, we honor our tīpuna, assert our place in the world, and build a future that reflects our values and aspirations as Tangata Whenua.
Pūrākau
Te Ao Māori and Mana Whenua
Mana Whenua represents the power and connection we, as tangata whenua, have to the land that nourishes us. This concept is woven into the fabric of Te Ao Māori, our worldview that encompasses our wairua (spiritual), tikanga (customs), and tinana (physical) relationship with the land we inhabit. Our connection to the whenua begins when we are conceived in our mothers womb, and continues when we return to our whenua after our tinana dies. Each iwi (nation) that settled here established mana whenua through exploration and stewardship, cultivating a profound bond with our surroundings.
For us, the land is not merely a resource; it is our tīpuna (ancestor), imbued with mauri (life force) and spiritual significance. Our whakapapa (genealogy) links us to the land, reinforcing our identity and responsibilities to the whenua (land). Through our connection to mana whenua, we honor our ancestors, uphold our tikanga, and carry out our roles as katiaki (guardians).
Colonial Times, He Whakaputanga and Mana Motuhake
The arrival of European settlers in the early 19th century brought about significant challenges to our mana whenua. As colonization intensified, we faced encroachments on our lands and our mana. In 1835, a few iwi from the north united under He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni (the Declaration of Independence of New Zealand), asserting our sovereignty, mana motuhake (self-determination), and right to govern ourselves. This declaration was a powerful statement of our identity as tangata whenua and our determination to protect our mana.
Despite this assertion of rights, the subsequent signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 led to further breaches and land confiscations by the colonial government. We experienced a systematic undermining of our mana whenua, disrupting our traditional land management practices and diminishing our connection to our tīpuna. This colonial legacy has had lasting effects on our communities, impacting our ability to connect with the land and each other.
Black Power : A precursor to Mana Whenua Aotearoa Manatōpū
The 1950s and 1960s marked a period of profound change for us as tangata whenua, particularly with the urban migration of many Māori seeking work in the cities. This shift led to a disconnection from our rural roots and the traditional forms of mana whenua that had sustained us for generations. The challenges of economic marginalization and social inequality pushed us to seek new ways to reclaim our identity and rights.
In this context, Black Power emerged as a powerful force for change. Drawing inspiration from global civil rights movements, we embraced this opportunity to assert our mana and advocate for our rights as tangata whenua. Over the next 50+ years, we emphasized kotahitanga (unity), cultural pride, self-determination, and the reclamation of our whakapapa (identity), using symbols like the haka to foster empowerment and unity among our people.
Key figures in the Black Power empowered our communities around issues such as land rights, tikanga, whakapapa, matauranga maori, education, and health. We began to create a new form of mana whenua, rooted in our urban experiences and collective action. We put the wero out to all, challenging the historical frameworks imposed by colonization, reminding us of our resilience and the strength of our identity as Tangata Whenua.