By Taiha Molyneux
Haka tautoko for Kiingi Tuuheitia's speech. Photo: RNZ / Ella Stewart
"The best protest we can do right now is be Māori, be who we are, live our values, speak our reo, care for our mokopuna" - Kiingi Tuuheitia
Inspirational words were shared by Kiingi Tuuheitia in his kauhau to those who gathered at Tuurangawaewae Marae for the nationwide hui hosted by Waikato Tainui.
Kiingi Tuuheitia thanked thousands who attended and thousands more who watched emphasising the turnout was sending a strong message, not just to the government, but to nations across the globe.
A series of workshops focused on te reo, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, national identity, Oranga Tangata and Oranga Taiao took place with the input of experts in specialised fields.
One of those workshops was dedicated solely to the voices, ideas and aspirations of rangatahi Māori, who have been identified by Kiingi Tuuheitia as a priority.
He told them, "Thank you for coming. Your voices are valued, your voices are important, your voices are heard."
Kiingi Tuuheitia speaks at the hui. Photo: RNZ / Ella Stewart
Rangatahi stepped up and made the most of the opportunity they were given.
Rangatahi Forum facilitator Piripi WIniata delivered a summary of the key points to people gathered at the marae.
He spoke of one of the participants asking "Why did it take a coalition government like this, for our people to come together and talk about what's important to us?"
As a result rangatahi told those assembled at Tuurangawaewae Marae that gatherings bringing iwi together to strategise an autonomous way forward should not be reactive, but should be held every three years regardless of who was in government.
He said maintaining the momentum of the kōrero, staying on track with plans, and building and strengthening consensus was dependent on regular hui focused on those aims.
Rangatahi also delivered a united call for iwi to leverage their knowledge and consistent use of social media platforms.
Two of the forum panellists, Te Aorere Pewhairangi and Hana Tapiata, have a combined following of more than 200,000 people they engage with online daily.
Iwi were encouraged to seek out and connect with rangatahi Māori influencers to build and encourage engagement with younger generations using content created by and for them.
They were told the fight in future might look slightly different but the pursuit of unity and autonomy would remain the same.
The mauri was handed across to Rātana following the hui and discussions will continue at Ratana celebrations this week.
They will carry on at Waitangi and Kiingi Tuuheitia announced the conversation will also travel to Te Waipounamu and Te Tai Rāwhiti.