E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e nga karangatanga maha, tēnei te reo whakamihi atu ki a koutou! Nau piki mai, nau kake mai ki te kohikohinga kōrero nei, e kī ai ko Te Ranga Huatau!

The theme for this edition is Whakapapa: the endless process of new beginnings. Whilst the previous edition centred on He toka tū moana - standing firm against the tides - this milestone issue explores the whakapapa strands that bind and weave us together. It invites us to view law not as a static set of rules, but as a living, breathing system that is constantly reborn through our relationships and hononga to each other.

In this issue, the writers delve into the meaning of whakapapa. As the foundation or “papa,” of tikanga Māori, whakapapa is the legal framework through which we engage with our world and connect to the past, present, and future. It is an evolving system of law. Whakapapa traces the values that govern our lives and our relationships with each other. It remains our most vital instrument of codification, weaving together our rules, history and oral traditions that define our collective responsibilities.

The forty-year legacy of Ngā Rangahautira is a significant milestone, one that speaks not only to the enduring strength and continuity of our collective journey, but also to the profound importance of whakapapa as a living thread that connects generations, preserves the wisdom of those who came before us, and continues to shape the identity and aspirations of those who follow.

Kei te rere ngā mihi ki a koutou katoa kua tautoko mai. This issue would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our hapori whānui, Professor Rawinia Higgins the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori, and our sponsors, Chapman Tripp and Buddle Findlay. We extend our heartfelt aroha to those who have provided the platform and resources to bring this kaupapa to life.

We also acknowledge with gratitude the Māori Law Review, who for the third time have supported our kaupapa by providing an online platform for our publication.

We would like to give a special mihi to Huy, our producer, whose creativity and dedication has been vital to Te Ranga Huatau in bringing our attention to visual representations of what whakapapa means. We are truly grateful for the countless hours and care you have poured into this kaupapa, and we acknowledge that this issue would not have been possible without you.

To our writers, Amiria, Emma, Savannah, Phaedra, Noah, Pj, Amaia, Eruera, Rhianan, Patricia and Tāmati, thank you for your passion and for navigating these complex, and often confronting jurisprudential ideas with such authenticity. Your work is the foundation of this issue, and each article is a pou in this pātaka mātauranga that truly reflects your mana.

To our editors, Patricia, Amiria, Phaedra, Lola, Katie, Eruera and Teia, you are our weavers. Your care and dedication ensured that every piece was uplifted in accordance with its mana, and the articles were woven together to form this incredible basket of knowledge.

To our reo Māori editors, Ngāurupa and Taipari from Te Hohaeiti o Te Reo Māori. The upholders, the carriers and the core of te whakarauoratanga o te reo Māori within Te Herenga Waka, it has been the utmost blessing having mātanga like yourselves overseeing these pieces and ensuring the mana of our reo remains protected within these pages, tēnā kōrua.

And finally, to my kōmiti, Aliyah, Phaedra, Te Aorere and Savannah: your aroha and dedication radiates throughout this edition. Kei te rere aku mihi maioha ki a koutou, ngā pou o Te Ranga Huatau.

Hei whakakapi, to our tauira ture Māori, your reflections truly encompass the importance of whakapapa as a driving force. As you read these pages, remember that you carry the hopes of our people for the future. May this edition inspire you to continue weaving your voices into the endless process of our new beginnings.

Author: Guest Author

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