The aims of the workshop were to:
• Bring the Toimata staff to a shared understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/ The Treaty of Waitangi, in conversation with Te Mauri Tau,
• Update participants on new understandings of the Māori intentions for the Treaty relationship,
• Help participants appreciate the Māori approach to human and environmental relationships,
• Deepen the practice of Toimata staff in relation to tikanga values.
For many participants, the workshop introduced them to new information, particularly about the pre-colonial period and the existence of He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni/ The Declaration of Independence of New Zealand. Some Māori staff expressed a sense of relief that all the team now has a shared understanding of this aspect our national history. It was a powerful and valuable experience for all involved.
Following a refection session on the second day, we spent some time to plan next steps and ongoing actions. Some of these were personal to individuals and others organisational. One action we undertook before the end of 2020 was setting up opportunities for the regional teams in Enviroschools and Te Aho Tū Roa to experience this important workshop in 2021.
Training resource material provided for participants.
Key themes of workshop:
• Build a shared understanding of the intent of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Understand more about local histories of iwi – settler relationships
• Deepen your practice as Toimata kaimahi supporting tikanga values
Key messages of Tangata Tiriti / Treaty People
• The Treaty of Waitangi is important for all New Zealanders.
• Māori who signed the Treaty agreed to share their country with the people who would come here later.
• Treaty people, tangata tiriti. That’s us and that’s why we need to know about and respect the Treaty.
Image captions
Banner: Staff and Boards of Toimata and Te Mauri Tau share ideas during the workshop.
Right: Te Tiriti is facilitated by Tangata Tiriti – Treaty People, an education programme on the Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Above: Staff reflections during the workshop. Staff have found the workshop hugely thought provoking and have been actively incorporating learnings into their mahi throughout the rest of the year.
