A Watered Down WAI 262   6 Jul 2011

The Waitangi Tribunal has released its long awaited report on the Wai262 claim, and the reaction from Te Waka Kai Ora is mixed. Te Waka Kai Ora (Maori Organics Aotearoa) are an adjunct claimant, and the findings from this complex and momentous claim were highly anticipated.

Percy Tipene, Chair of Te Waka Kai Ora (TWKO), states that the Tribunal “have developed some mechanisms, some directions, and some options which we can follow that can fulfil the aspirations we have expressed, but the power and decision making status over our matauranga still lies with the Crown” and he expressed concern that the report has been “watered down and politicised”.

For TWKO, the WAI 262 claim is a kete full of matauranga (knowledge) and historical information that was passed over by our tohunga and kaumatua, many of whom have now passed away. “There is an obligation for us as Maori to uphold and care for our matauranga tuku iho and that is the essence of the claim”, says Mr Tipene.

The report has produced several key recommendations for reforms including: the establishment of new partnership bodies in education, conservation, and culture and heritage; a new commission to protect Maori cultural works against derogatory and unauthorised commercial uses; a new funding agent for matauranga Maori in science; expanded roles for some existing bodies including ‘Te Paepae Matua mo te Rongoa’ (the national rongoa body); improved support for rongoa Maori, te reo Maori, and other aspects of Maori culture and knowledge; and, amendments to laws including Maori language, resource management, conservation, cultural artefacts, patents and plant varieties.

Some of these reforms offer opportunities for Maori authority, such as giving Maori the right to veto the use of cultural imagery and advising the Government on any patents that use indigenous animal or plant matter. However as the title of the report suggests, it also confronts the broader issues of national identity, and calls for the Crown-Maori relationship to ‘move beyond grievance to a new era based on partnership’. In the preface, the Tribunal argues the Wai 262 claim is ‘really a claim about matauranga Maori… seeking to preserve their culture and identity’. While this is a crucial component, Mr Tipene believes the claim was really “about tino rangatiratanga or Maori control of things Maori, and the report goes nowhere near dealing with that".

Te Waka Kai Ora will continue with its agenda to uphold our Te Tiriti rights so we can protect our taonga Maori from misappropriation. In our current climate, Maori led initiatives that are founded on tino rangatiratanga, such as the new Hua Parakore organic growing system, are increasingly critical. Hua Parakore is a new verification system that recognises excellence in mahinga kai production, and aims to ultimately enhance the cultural, spiritual, social, economic and health outcomes for Maori. The launch of Hua Parakore will be held at Turnball House Wellington at 5pm, Thursday 14th of July, 2011. The launch will feature presentations, guest speakers, and a spread of Hua Parakore delicious kai.

(Maori Organics)

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