Kua konihi te MP o Ikaroa-Rāwhiti Meka Whaitiri i a Reipa, ā, kua peka ki te waka o Te Pāti Māori. I ohorere pai a Reipa, tae rā anō ki te pirimia taupua Carmel Sepuloni i rangona ai te pānui i tētahi o te marea. So Meka Whaitiri has resigned from Labour and switched to Te Pāti Māori. One of the main reasons, her kaupapa no longer aligns with that of Labour. I can hear your confusion as you wonder why I, the king of over-sharing, has decided to come into an editorial with reo māori. Well because this is an integral moment in Māori/Aotearoa politics.

Why? Because no one can see past the edge of their ihu, focusing on it like “Sinking rats jumping from the ship” as opposed to the autonomy of a wāhine māori deciding to focus on being Māori in the face of what could be a massive turning point for Tangata Māori. We’re looking at the possibility of co-governance, and what that means for our development as people.

Māori have, for years, have stayed out of fear of losing their space. We fight for roles that highlight the mana we strive to enhance. Once we’re in those spaces–we stick at it. Whether it be as important as an MP in the majority or the Editor-in-chief for a minor publication in the mighty Waikato–we’re together and fighting the same fight. So sure I get mōketekete when I hear certain members of our graced parliament trying to undermine a decision made for the betterment of one’s people. To express pride in being tangata whenua, take a hard look at yourself if you think it’s solely a decision against Labour. Be so for real right now.

I’m faced with the reality of change frequently, being so many years post-grad now, twiddling my thumbs and creating what’s arguably the best student-led magazine at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato–wondering what’s left for me. I’m looking at Whaea Meka and wondering if she’s had the right idea with the sense of wairua leading her back to her whakapapa. Should we all be taking a serious note from her book and following our wairua to make decisions. I don’t have an answer but here’s what I do know. She’s made the right decision for her, and I cannot fault that.

To Whaea Meka, ngā mihi for giving us a voice and showing the strength it takes to follow your heart instead of standing with what you no longer support. I don’t know you Whaea but I want to commend the extraordinary efforts towards effective co-governance and allowing Māori space to be Māori. Tēnā rawa atu koe Whaea.

No one can pretend to know what the future holds for Māori in these spaces or even what tomorrow may bring. All we can do is continue to strive in these places against the system built to fail us. I will never stop looking to raise the voices of my people, tangata whenua me tauira māori. So I’ll leave you with a couple of ending points to think on. Would you have the courage to do what’s right for you and your people? Are you happy to make the hard decisions for the safety and longevity of your culture? Can you stare in the face of adversity and say it’s not right?

Ūhia mai ngā tōmairangi atawhai ki runga i a mātou. Hei tutuki pai i ngā mahi mō tēnei rā
Many churs, Uncle Jak