Come together

I believe we all have the ability to unify into a butterfly of many colours. I picture a butterfly with its two wings representing Tangata Whenua & Tangata Tiriti working harmoniously together. Pākeha are Tangata Tiriti, the people who belong to this land by rights of the Treaty of Waitangi. ⁠ ⁠ 

Historic power imbalances have given us lopsided wings, which makes it difficult for ALL of us to fly to our full potential. While there’s been a bit of work done to address these power imbalances in our country, the current government is intent on undoing the hard-won progress.⁠ ⁠ On Waitangi Day this year people will be walking, all around Aotearoa, asking that the Treaty be honoured. Sir Eddie Durie said the Treaty is not just a bill of rights for Māori. It is a bill of rights for Pākeha too. It's the Treaty that gives Pākeha a right to be here. ⁠ ⁠

I get this sense that there are a lot of Pākeha, Tauiwi, non-Māori, however we identify ourselves, feeling uncomfortable with the prevailing mood of these times. I get the feeling that there are a lot of us wanting to be a part of the healing, the moving forward; who want to learn more about what it is to be a good Treaty partner, who want to support and show their support for Tangata Whenua. ⁠ ⁠ 

On Wednesday 17 January at 6pm, Gizzy Local will be hosting a gathering for anyone who is feeling that call. It will be a starting point, informal, with snacks, a place in which we can get a conversation going, and get to know each other. You can RSVP (that’s useful for planning), but you are also free to just turn up. ⁠ I’ll see you there!⁠ ⁠ 

By Aimee Vickers⁠

Doors open at 5:30, gathering starts at 6pm. End time is approximate.