Cyclone-hit iwi Ngāti Kahungunu to host next hui for Māori unity

Karanama Ruru

East coast iwi Ngāti Kahungunu will host the next national hui to mobilise iwi Māori and continue the kotahitanga (unity) kaupapa in protest at the coalition Government’s actions – on May 31.

The kotahitanga movement started on January 20 when an estimated 10,000 Māori and non-Māori from around the country descended on Tūrangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia, heeding the call of the Māori King, Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII.

The kaupapa continued at Rātana just four days later, attracting about 7000 people, followed up by a massive turnout of around 60,000 to 80,000 at Waitangi for Waitangi Day commemorations in February.

“We must come together as an irresistible force that cannot be ignored, no matter who is sitting in government. We must not lose momentum on this important kaupapa. We need to take advantage of the energy and passion that is out there,” Kahungunu chairperson Bayden Barber said.

The Hui Taumata will be held at Omāhu Marae, one of the seven marae devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle just over a year ago and the largest marae in Heretaunga.

Kiingitanga spokesperson Rahui Papa said the Tūrangawaewae hui was a call from the Māori King to unite on issues that were “coming thick and fast” from the coalition Government.

“We saw the power of a united iwi Māori. We now need to move to the next taumata or level where we can map out what constitutional arrangements will collectively move Māori to the mana motuhake and tino rangatiratanga we aspire to,” he said.

Kiingi Tūheitia will be in attendance. “We’ve done the talking. It’s now time to do the mahi and consider what kotahitanga could look like in the 21st century. If we are to truly achieve rangatiratanga as a people, we need to come together, but it needs form and function.”

Omāhu Marae minitā, Reverend Zhane Tāhau Whelan, said he welcomed the opportunity for his marae and hapū to host the Hui Taumata.