Musings and Reflections on Indigenous Politics and Settler Colonialism in Aotearoa New Zealand

In 2014 The Waitangi Tribunal in The Te Paparahi o Te Raki report said that if hapū (clans) and/or iwi (nations) signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi you still maintained mana motuhake (Indigenous sovereignty). This decision questioned the whole basis of the settler colonial state in Aotearoa New Zealand. The then Attorney-General, Chris Finlayson QC immediately moved to deny the findings of The Tribunal. This started the interest and doctoral research of Tūwharetoa scholar, Hemopereki Simon who wanted to explore how this applied to non-signatory groups like his own iwi Tūwharetoa. This in-person conversation between Lorenzo Veracini and Hemopereki Simon seeks to explore Hemopereki's published doctoral research that explores the intersection of mana motuhake (Indigenous sovereignty), settler colonialism, the white possessive, treaty and the collective future of Aotearoa New Zealand. In doing so the conversation will highlight the challenges that face Aotearoa New Zealand to become a better society and the need to recognise and provide for Indigenous sovereignty. These works are key to understanding settler colonialism in the aotearoa New Zealand context. Topics discussed from the publications will focus on biculturalism, settler/invader identity, the responsibility settler/invaders have to decolonisation, Indigenous politics, and alt/far-right thought on Indigenous issues and identity. Lorenzo and Hemopereki will touch on how this material may apply to Indigenous Australia with particular reference to "voice to Parliament" and the Victorian Treaty Process.