What to expect from the final hui ā motu

Tuahiwi Marae. Photo: supplied

Indigenous economics will be the key kaupapa at the last of a series of national hui for Māori unity, which began at Tuurangawaewae at the start of the year.

Iwi and hapū from around the motu will gather at Tuahiwi Marae north of Christchurch on Tuesday for the hui named Te Pūnuiotoka.

The guest list also included representatives from several Canadian First Nations, there to speak on the economic models developed by their nations.

In his closing address at the Hui ā Motu at Tuurangawaewae in January, the late Kiingi Tuheitia called for a series of hui to build kotahitanga (unity) among Māori.

"Let the four winds speak as we find our kotahitanga. Ngā hau e whā kia kotahi rā," he said at the time.

The four winds were represented by hui at Rātana (west), Waitangi (north) and Omāhu (east).

"Ngāi Tahu we must come to the south," Kiingi Tuheitia said. Ngāi Tahu responded by announcing this hui, Te Pūnuiotoka.

The absence of Kiingi Tuheitia will certainly be felt at the hui, but his kaupapa of kotahitanga (unity) goes on.

His successor Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po is expected to be in attendance at Tuahiwi.

Caption: Ngāi Tahu Chair Justin Tipa at the tangihanga of Kiingi Tuheitia. Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ

Indigenous economics

Ngāi Tahu chair Justin Tipa said indigenous economics was not dreamt up yesterday.

"The key kaupapa for our hui is continuing the kaupapa of kotahitanga and rangatiratanga through indigenous economics and tribal institution building."

Ngāi Tahu had been working towards this for more than 10 years now, he said - including building relationships with the Tulo Centre for Indigenous Economics and other first nations.

"Moving towards rangatiratanga is underpinned by economic independence. What the First Nations people in Canada have been able to achieve once the attained authority over their whenua and their resources has been nothing short of amazing.

"We must move beyond being mere participants in the economy - we must be able to design and own the framework that allows our participation in that economy and we believe the Tulo model can help us get there."

The lineup of speakers at Te Pūnuiotoka included representatives from Canadian First Nations, the Tulo Centre for Indigenous Economics and commentators from New Zealand, as well as the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre.

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