Class explains Treaty history

New Zealanders celebrate Waitangi Day on February 6 every year but for many the history of it remains cloudy.

A workshop being run by Settlement Support New Zealand will give some background to the Treaty and explain its aim to protect the interests of tangata whenua while providing for the lawful migration and settlement of other New Zealanders.

The workshop will provide simple, accurate information about the Treaty of Waitangi to people new to New Zealand, says Settlement Support co-ordinator Annette Woods.

‘‘It will introduce people to the contemporary debate around Treaty issues in order to help them reflect on their place in this debate.

‘‘The resource for this workshop was created in response to calls from migrants, including the Refugee Council of New Zealand and the Federation of Ethnic Councils, who wanted to be educated about the Treaty.’’

It will be held from 9.15am till 2.45pm on Friday, June 1, in the Helen Smith Community room at Pataka and will be co-facilitated by Dr Ingrid Hugyens and Phillipa Watt.

Dr Huygens was a member of the steering group drawn from a group who attended the Treaty Conference 2000, where tauiwi (immigrant) communities came together to affirm the Treaty of Waitangi and explore the future of Aotearoa. She was also the original contributors to the resource.

Phillipa Watt is the English for Speakers of Other Languages coordinator at the Porirua Language Project and was trained by Dr Huygens to deliver the training. There will also be a presentation on the Maori perspective of the Treaty of Waitangi from Ngati Toa Runanga chairman Taku Parai.

To register for a place please contact Settlement Support co-ordinator Annette Woods on 237 3578 or email awoods@pcc.govt.nz.