THE STRUGGLE IS REAL

The National Iwi Chairs’ Forum (ICF) comprises the Chairpersons of 73 Iwi entities, representing 65 Iwi.  Its purpose is contained in the hakatauki (proverb), he waka kōtuia kāhore e tukutukua ngā mimira (a canoe that is interlaced will not become separated at the bow – in unity there is strength). 

The ICF meets four times a year: February in Taitokerau, May in the central North Island, August in Tainui, and November in the South Island.  It operates via four Pou:  Pou Taiao, Pou Tikanga, Pou Tāngata and Pou Tāhua.  Each Pou works via Iwi Leader Groups (ILGs) made up of Iwi Chairs with expertise and interest in a particular field.  Each ILG is, in turn, supported by a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) made up of experts in their respective field.  Following are very brief summaries of some of the work done by each Pou.

Te Pou Taiao works on Climate Change, Freshwater, Conservation, Biodiversity, Biosecurity, Oil and Minerals, and Te Kahu o te Taiao (Māori knowledge in relation to the environment).  Climate change has recently been escalated to crisis level by the government and work has begun on developing educational materials for whānau and hapū on what to expect and how to cope, especially with extreme weather events.  The Freshwater ILG is also developing resources for whānau, hapū and iwi and preparing for the continuation of the freshwater and geothermal hearings in the Waitangi Tribunal in March. The Pou also negotiated the Mana Whakahono ā Rohe provisions of the Resource Management Act that were legislated last year and are now being implemented. Regional workshops on these are being conducted around the motu (country) with the next one for Te Taitokerau hosted by Ngāti Kuri in Te Hāpua on 13^th March.  

Te Pou Tikanga deals with Constitutional Transformation, the Monitoring Mechanism and the Treaty Claims Settlement process.  The Monitoring Mechanism reports each year to the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on whether and how the government is complying with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This year’s report will contain feedback from Iwi workshops held around the motu on Constitutional Transformation, Self-determination, Lands Territories and Resources, Cultural Rights, Equality and Non-discrimination.  Ngāti Kahu will host a workshop in March, date and venue yet to be confirmed.

Te Pou Tāngata deals primarily with Whānau Ora including Justice, Education, Housing, Rangatahi-ā-iwi and Data (statistics). These ILGs have numerous priority areas including child poverty and well-being, an inquiry into child abuse in state institutions, reducing incarceration rates and exercising rangatiratanga in respect of data collection.

Te Pou Tāhua deals with Trade and Economic Development.  Its purpose is to advance Iwi Maori as Pokai Ao – participating citizens of the world. 

The ICF’s unity and work have achieved results beyond the capacity of most individual Iwi. However, given the autonomous nature of Iwi there are inevitable tensions.  Hei aha.  Perhaps the ICF might add to the translation of its hakatauki this saying; the struggle is real.