Waitangi Day Reflections
"Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa"
I try to make a comic each Waitangi Day to capture the mood surrounding it, both on the ground and around the country, and my own feelings leading up to and during it. These comics tend to be political, and it’s hard for them not to be, with treaty breaches and re-interpritations being threatened as well as a general rise of outward racism toward Māori as they are continuously used as a scapegoat in an ongoing culture war.
Waitangi should be political, it is a day to remember how this country was founded, how we are leaders in how we treat our indigenous peoples, and why the treaty, although highly flawed, should be respected and upheld - and it seems every year, no matter the government in power, needs reminding of this.
But this Waitangi Day, I wanted to work on a comic that reflected a sense of unity, and the pride I have in my own Māori heritage, especially the sense of community I’ve found since digging deeper into my own family history, and having a platform.
This idea came after seeing the small march/protest Brian Tamaki attempted to pull off a week back, riling up a bunch of mostly Māori people to protest immigrants, other religions, and queer people - just to name a few. Over the past year, he has riled up his followers to harass and intimidate drag queens reading books to kids, pride events, and a Sikh parade. Watching these people use the haka to intimidate these communities not only angers me but also breaks my heart.
It’s not just Brian Tamaki; it was also heartbreaking and infuriating to see Te Pāti Māori MP Tākuta Ferris comment on a diverse community of people out campaigning for Peeni Henare, saying: "Indians, Asians, Black [sic] and Pakeha [sic] campaigning to take a Maori [sic] seat from Maori."
These events, among others, are in stark contrast to what I experienced on the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti last year.
While walking towards Parliament, I saw community groups from many different cultures that call Aotearoa home, marching in solidarity with their banners, getting right behind the cause, and showing their support for Māori and honouring the Treaty.
It was the proudest I’ve ever been to call this country home, and it was a testament to our diverse culture and community. And I think it’s important to remember that we are stronger together, we are a community, and the treaty benefits all those who call Aeotearoa home.
In an election year that I’m positive will see more divisions sown in an attempt to dissuade and divide, I hope we can all recall what we can do together. That’s why I chose the Whakataukī “Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa” to head this comic, to remind us that we are indeed stronger together than apart.
Danz
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Nga mihi bro. Nailed it.