Articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

In the latest of a series of videos that give voice to member perspectives on our Te Tiriti-led rules review, Matua Hōne Sadler and Dr Heather Came discuss the articles of Te Tiriti as the foundation of our nation and the proposed new rules of Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union.

In taking us through what she describes as "the five elements of Te Tiriti", Dr Came explains that "the preamble essentially says that the British and hapū are entering into a relationship, and so that’s at the heart of Te Tiriti – it’s about a relationship."

"The first article is about honourable kāwanatanga. Hapū grant to the British the right to govern their [British] people. It’s critical in terms of that, that it’s about the British being able to govern non-Māori. And then article two is about tino rangatiratanga... Hapū were in charge of all things that were important to them."

Following up from this, Matua Hōne goes into more depth about Māori world views when it comes to whenua and ownership.

"Kīhai oku tūpuna i pērā ngā whenua i te mea ehara nō rātou i te whenua. Ko rātou whakaaro ngā kaitiaki o te whenua e kore rātou e taea e mea nāku tēnei whenua."

"My ancestors didn’t understand this thing about purchasing land. Their thinking was they were guardians of the land. They did not claim that this land is mine."

These are some of the concepts that are critical in understanding Te Tiriti and how it underpins the way we conduct ourselves as a union.