Aria Ngarimu writes about reasserting tino rangatiratanga over immigration and Māori-tauiwi relations as a mechanism for decolonisation.

The 2023 Census reported a diverse Aotearoa, with 19.6% identifying as Māori, 67.8% as Pākehā, 17.3% as Asian, 8.9% as Pasifika, and 1.9% as Middle Eastern, Latin American, or African.^[1] Amid these statistics lie a multitude of individuals from various ethnicities, cultures and backgrounds. Since the arrival of missionaries and settlers in the late 1700s and early 1800s, tauiwi populations have steadily increased. Historical events like the Otago Gold Rush and the New Zealand Land Wars, followed by WWI and WWII, further contributed to this influx of diverse peoples to Aotearoa shores. As globalisation, climate change, and conflict continue to shape migration patterns, Aotearoa’s demographic landscape will continue to diversify.

Māori have always been pioneers. Stories passed down through my family speak of my ancestors establishing trading posts on the East Coast. They travelled all around Aotearoa exchanging goods, in both pre- and post-colonial times. Although not all Māori had positive interactions with early settlers, those who chose to pursue and engage in trade-based relationships did so as an exercise of their mana motuhake. At that time, Māori formed the majority in Aotearoa and were able to exercise discretion and control over their interactions. Their existing complex economies were built on tikanga and did not fundamentally change with the arrival of Pākehā. 

The dynamic shifted as the Crown began to assert authority over both its own people and Māori, despite Te Tiriti o Waitangi only granting the Crown control over its own subjects. Although the Waitangi Tribunal has affirmed that Māori never ceded sovereignty, the Crown still retains control over Aotearoa’s immigration policies. Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson’s declaration, “He iwi tahi tātou – We are one people,” has become a symbol of colonial ideology. This rhetoric of 'oneness' suggests equality for all, irrespective of ethnicity, culture, or religion. In reality, this ideal often masks systemic inequalities whereby tauiwi unconsciously benefit from the displacement of Māori from their lands. 

The ‘oneness’ discourse is frequently paired with ‘diversity’ initiatives. While these initiatives might signal a step toward inclusivity, they often remain superficial. Minority groups, particularly Māori and Pasifika, face overrepresentation in nearly every negative socio-economic indicator. Genuine acknowledgment and resolution of the systemic discrimination that causes these statistics requires much more than token gestures. 

Māori continue to fight for tino rangatiratanga over immigration and Māori-tauiwi relations.^[2] Grassroots and community-driven initiatives are becoming increasingly vocal on these matters, understanding that decolonisation in Aotearoa cannot occur without the collective liberation of indigenous peoples worldwide.^[3] This advocacy extends to supporting indigenous rights in regions such as Palestine, Hawai‘i, New Caledonia, Peru and many others. The Crown's control over immigration policies have meant that Māori have not had a meaningful voice in standard immigration processes.

The current system encourages migrants to assimilate into Pākehā culture or risk marginalisation. Migrants are compelled to conform to Western standards of success while fighting to keep their own cultural practices alive. Meaningful engagement with Māori is rarely mandated or facilitated. Many migrants, especially those in socio-economically disadvantaged areas with significant Māori populations, come to understand and support Māori efforts to reaffirm tino rangatiratanga. Yet, this is not the norm for all. Those descended from early settlers often resist acknowledging their whakapapa, clinging instead to the rhetoric of ‘oneness.’

There are small organisations, marae, hapū and iwi that offer workshops for migrants interested in learning about te ao Māori.^[4] However, these efforts are often limited in scope and impact. The current immigration system is controlled by the Crown through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, leaving Māori with limited avenues for input. This centralisation of control perpetuates a false narrative of biculturalism, where the Crown (and implicitly Pākehā) remain the focal point of society. Minority groups, including Māori, are often encouraged to engage with the Crown rather than with one another, leading to competition for resources and support.

As Aotearoa continues to diversify, there is a pressing need to reframe immigration and Māori-tauiwi relations through a lens of tino rangatiratanga. This means moving beyond tokenistic diversity initiatives and addressing systemic inequalities. It involves ensuring that immigration policies do not merely reflect Pākehā interests but actually centre Māori sovereignty and cultural integrity. To achieve this, we must advocate for policies that facilitate genuine engagement between migrants and Māori, promote competency and understanding of te ao Māori, and ensure that Māori have a substantive role in shaping immigration practices. Māori influence could empower immigrant groups to overcome pressures to conform to Western ideals.

In conclusion, reasserting tino rangatiratanga over immigration and Māori-tauiwi relations can be a mechanism for decolonisation and ensuring a just and inclusive future for all who call Aotearoa home.

Ngā kupu āpiti - Notes

[1] Tatauranga Aotearoa | Stats NZ “2023 Census population counts (by ethnic group, age, and Māori descent) and dwelling counts” (29 May 2024) <stats.govt.nz>.

[2] Tina Ngata “Indigenous Love Will Prevail” (15 June 2024) <tinangata.com>.

[3] Jessica Tyson “Māori Call for Palestine petition gains traction” (28 December 2023) Te Ao Māori News <teaonews.co.nz>; Te Aniwaniwa Paterson “Ngāti Kahungunu the first iwi to urge support for a ‘ceasefire in Palestine’” (30 April 2024)  Te Ao Māori News <teaonews.co.nz>.

[4] Multicultural Tasman Nelson Incorporated “Tangata Tiriti (Treaty People) – Treaty of Waitangi Workshop for Migrants” (4 May 2024) ; The Basket of Hauraki “Te Tiriti o Waitangi Workshop in Thames” (5 May 2024) ; National Library of New Zealand “E oho! Understanding Te Tiriti o Waitangi – Part of E oho! Waitangi Series” (13 August 2024) .

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