Honouring Our Tangata Tiriti Champions

This morning at Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui ā Orotū, we gathered for a heartfelt morning tea to honour and celebrate our tangata tiriti whānau who stood with us in support of Māori wards during the recent local elections. Their efforts were not small. They stood on street corners, they approached our whānau, and they opened the door to meaningful kōrero - discussing the pros and cons, exploring opportunities, and championing the importance of upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi within local government.

These are conversations that require courage. Our tangata tiriti allies spoke openly about why Māori representation at council tables matters - not just for Māori, but for the wellbeing and future of our entire community. They helped bridge understanding, emphasising that when Māori voices are present in decision-making spaces, everyone benefits. Stronger relationships, stronger outcomes, and stronger communities grow from that foundation.

To honour this commitment, Te Taiwhenua hosted a breakfast to acknowledge the people who walk alongside us on this journey. We recognise that these discussions can be challenging and, at times, uncomfortable. Yet our tangata tiriti whānau lean in anyway - driven by integrity, hope, and a vision for a fairer future. For this, we offer our deepest thanks.

As we look ahead, we are excited about the opportunities to continue working together to elevate Māori aspirations and ensure Māori voices help shape both local and national decision-making. The dedication shown today lays a strong foundation for our mokopuna - a future where partnership is lived, not just spoken about, and where the promise of Te Tiriti is upheld with pride.

He waka eke noa — we are all in this together.