Recently a group of us had the privilege of seeing mana motuhake [Māori self determination] first hand. And it was beautiful. Let’s start with this term “mana motuhake” – what does it really mean? Te Aka online dictionary defines it as “separate identity, autonomy, self-government, self-determination, independence, sovereignty, authority – mana through self-determination and control…
Continue reading →Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding document, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, (also referred to as the Treaty of Waitangi), is a hot topic currently. Te Tiriti is very important to me as a Pākehā New Zealander, and here, in seven sentences, is why. Te Tiriti is the agreement signed in 1840 which sets out a peaceful relationship…
Continue reading →Here are some reflections prompted by the Philanthropy NZ conference earlier this month: 1. Positive change is normal and happens all the time: When I was growing up, way back in the 1970s, these things were true: Smoking was everywhere, even in planes and restaurants. Children were regularly smacked, strapped and caned in homes and…
Continue reading →“What is the crucial work we must be doing as Pākehā to be part of Te Tiriti justice and decolonisation?” That was the question posed to 14 of us who were invited by the wonderful Emily Beausoleil to contribute to this year’s Joan Cook Memorial Essay, an annual offering set up in memory of Treaty…
Continue reading →I’m in a Wellington cafe, at a coffee meeting with a colleague from Ngāti Kahungunu. We are both born in Hastings, so that is a nice start. Then after a while he says, “Actually, I am not really from Hastings, I am from Flaxmere.” And I say, “Actually I am not really from Hastings either,…
Continue reading →If we are lucky enough to live comfortably, why wouldn’t we share some of what we have? Two key ways of sharing financial resources are through philanthropy and taxation, and I frequently blog about philanthropy, but this time let’s talk about tax. Personally I see tax as a good thing, and I am willing to…
Continue reading →When I was asked to speak on Steven Moe’s Seeds podcast, my friend and colleague Haimona Waititi from Tūmanako Consulting suggested that I share some of the missteps I have made as part of different organisations trying to better support Māori aspirations. So, I talked on the podcast and shared three personal stories of situations…
Continue reading →Giving is good – but there is a darker side to fundraising and philanthropy which it is useful to be aware of. Examples include organisations soliciting funds for questionable purposes, and donors, businesses or funding organisations using their money to influence democracy in ways which are unethical and/or untransparent. Unfortunately, according to this excellent Radio…
Continue reading →Christmas has come and gone again. Ah, Christmas. It’s when we express our love of others through the giving of gifts, right? No – wait – isn’t Christmas just a commercial thing, where we buy stuff which usually isn’t what the other person actually wants? Hmmm – it’s a tricky thing Christmas. Now, reread the…
Continue reading →How do we, as funders, better engage with and support Māori communities? What does it mean for a funder to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi? And what is our role in building an Aotearoa of tomorrow where Te Ao Pākehā (the Pākehā world) and Te Ao Māori (the Māori world) work in synergy for the…
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