Matike Mai: #ProtectIhumaatao

Te Ahiwaru is engaged in an innovative, hapuu-led research project, exploring what happened at Ihumaatao, why it matters and to whom.

Activating a kaupapa Maaori approach, the project aims to centre and amplify whaanau stories/perspectives as well as building capacity to progress our hapuu aspirations for research, education and Tiriti claims.

Funded by a prestigious Marsden grant from the Royal Society Te Apaarangi, the project is supported by the University of Auckland.

The project’s title, Matike Mai Te Hiaroa: #ProtectIhumātao, relates to the long history and cultural narratives of Ihumaatao and Waikato, for whom Hiaroa is a greatly admired ancestor and the sister of well-known Tainui voyager Rakataura. It represents the Indigenous struggle for the return of confiscated whenua. It also evokes Maaori-led action for constitutional transformation – known as Matike Mai – calling for new ways to resolve Tiriti injustice and address Maaori interests.

A critical understanding of what happened at Ihumaatao will help to inform law and policy change related to Tiriti settlements, Crown-Maaori relations, and the protection of Maaori heritage as well as help guide other Indigenous-led political movements.

A key outcome is an accessible hapuu archive on our #ProtectIhumātao campaign for whaanau, researchers, educators, students and interested others. Archivists, curators and e-researchers (at the Turnbull Library, Department of Internal Affairs and University of Auckland) recognise the archive’s national significance and are providing guidance.