Peaceful hikoi highlights karakia kerfuffle

JULIA WADE

19 Dec, 2022

Fallout following the controversial decision by Kaipara’s mayor to not allow Maori Ward Cr Pera Paniora to perform a karakia before a recent meeting continues, despite the council coming to an unanimous decision on December 7 to allow all elected members to offer a karakia, prayer or reflection to open their official talks.

A petition calling for mayor Craig Jepson’s resignation has to date gained over 6300 signatures, and a peaceful hikoi down Dargaville’s main street on December 14 which came to a stop outside the town’s Kaipara District Council [KDC] offices, attracted around 300 people from local iwi and supporters around Northland.

A number of people from the hikoi also joined the scheduled council meeting, which was opened with a karakia by Wairoa Cr Ash Nayyer.

Besides sharing their concerns, thoughts and beliefs, often with passion and high-emotion, regarding the mayor’s karakia stance, the speakers talked about indigenous rights, the positives of working collaboratively, and even an offering of an invitation to a local marae to share stories, learn their whakapapa and ‘begin to be in partnership with us… we can help you to do better’.

Ngati Whatua co-chair Dame Naida Glavish, whose iwi stretches from Hokianga to Auckland, stated strongly her iwi were representing her tribe’s unborn tamariki ‘so our children do not have to face what we have to today, absolute ignorance’.

“There was an expectation there would be a consultation, a meeting of the ways between us and the council as there has been with Auckland and other councils – why does this council see that they have the right to deny us our whakapapa, our genealogical right?” she says.

“Obviously, we were spoilt by the previous council and mayor, who enjoyed a relationship with Ngati Whatua, unlike you sir. I’d appreciate it if you can explain to us why you deny us the karakia, but of course you won’t as you have the title of mayor. We will not tolerate arrogance or racism.”

Hikoi organiser Paturiri Toautu, who has also instigated a petition to government to make Maori representation and karakia mandatory at councils, stated ‘we are partners, but we’re not being treated as partners, at all council meetings its only tikanga pakeha, we had one minute of tikanga Maori which you have taken away’.

Ngatiwai Trust Board chair, Aperahama Kerepeti-Edwards, acknowledged all councillors and in particularly Cr Pera Paniora, saying she is an important voice for the Maori community and Kaipara people.

“Karakia is indigenous to Aotearoa and not to be confused as the same as spiritual poem or a recital. It is intrinsically Maori and a right guaranteed under the Treaty of Waitiangi. We’ve gone too far not to go further.”

Before leaving the meeting, the speakers and supporters ended with a song and in response, Jepson thanked them all for their time and contributions to the democratic process.

As part of her response to another agenda, Wairoa Cr Eryn Wilson-Collins acknowledged the speakers of the morning and how they feel their relationship with council has been harmed. She also admitted the situation is upsetting and conflicts with her personal beliefs as well as how she prefers to represent as a councillor.

“I’ve spoken with a lot of non-Maori in Kaipara who want us to open with a karakia, pakeha and non-Maori immigrants are asking us why we’re not acknowledging our culture, because Maori culture is New Zealand’s culture… I’m saddened by the voices this morning and the previous relationship this council had with the iwi.”

n To view the full recording of the December 14 council meeting, visit KDCYoutube channel or kaipara.govt.nz

“Why does this council see that they have the right to deny us our whakapapa, our genealogical right?”

– Dame Naida Glavish