Engagement with Māori

Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding document that established an enduring relationship between Māori and the Crown.

Manatū Aorere recognises its importance and is committed to incorporating and honouring te Tiriti/the Treaty in its mahi. To meet these expectations we must work authentically with Treaty partners, and acknowledge the value that both partners bring to the relationship.

Manatū Aorere’s mission is to act in the world to build a safer, more prosperous and more sustainable future for New Zealanders. To deliver this mission effectively we need to be reputable, authentic and have a presence nationally and internationally that truly reflects Aotearoa New Zealand.

A key platform to achieve this is ensuring that the Ministry partners effectively with Māori to deliver on its Tiriti/Treaty aspirations. In 2021, the Ministry commissioned an internal report that assessed two key objectives. The first considered whether the right structures and systems were in place for the Ministry to deliver its strategic and operational objectives for Māori policy. It also assessed whether the Ministry’s Mātauranga Māori capability is in line with the expectations of Ministers, the requirements of the Public Service Act, and the expectations of our Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and staff. 

The report acknowledged the good work that has been done, and the need to sustain this momentum. But it also highlighted significant gaps in the Ministry’s capability. To address these gaps, the report made a number of recommendations to build capability and competency in our people, systems and frameworks to support this work. SLT considered the report in September 2021, and agreed to establish a dedicated programme to implement the majority of its recommendations.

The programme is working to deliver on the report’s recommendations, and put frameworks in place that are appropriate, authentic, will have longevity, and are suitable for our work and people. Implementation across a number of domains is well advanced.

The Ministry’s intention is to continue to broaden engagement with Māori groups to establish enduring and effective relationships. We expect these relationships will evolve in different ways, with some long‑standing relationships continuing on the basis of established practice and convention, and others being formalised through Memorandum of Understandings (MoU). These relationships will strengthen our understanding and awareness of Māori issues and ensure we have the ability to support the aspirations of iwi/Māori.

A copy of the report is attached above.

Te Hurumanu (Māori Partnership Group)

The co-creation of a Te Tiriti partnership model reflects Mānatu Aorere’s ongoing commitment to deliver on its obligations as a Te Tiriti partner.

Federation of Māori Authorities (FOMA) and Manatū Aorere sign MOU

Manatū Aorere has taken another step in strengthening its Tiriti o Waitangi partnerships by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federation of Māori Authorities (FOMA).

Māori Engagement and Interests in Trade

An overview of our engagement with different Māori groups and how we support their interests in trade.

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