Tino Rangatiratanga and Mana Motuhake are two words that hold importance for Māori, especially in times of protest, but their significance runs much deeper. 

Our roundtable discussion introduces a fresh perspective with Bianca Ranson, an environmental and human rights activist, who joins returning kaikōrero Te Otane Huata (Indigenous Rights Advocate), Māori lawyer Dayle Takitimu, and Māori researcher Tina Ngata.

This thought-provoking conversation delves into the essence of these two powerful kupu.

Tina Ngata articulates it perfectly, stating, “Mana Motuhake is intrinsically tied into the concepts of mana atua, mana tangata, and therefore is also tied into the taiao and our relations. It can’t be taken away from whakapapa, so it gives it a connection across time and across our world.”

Dayle Takitimu complements this by discussing how Mana Motuhake and Tino Rangatiratanga are used interchangeably today. They reflect the same idea of full authority, self-determination, self-governance, and being in charge of our decisions. At its core, it’s about the mana and tapu we inherently possess as mokopuna.

Every protest, many waiata, and numerous stands of solidarity all mention these concepts. But how do we interpret these for ourselves and share the meaning with our future generations, especially in the context of colonisation?

Whakarongo mai, mātaki mai ✊