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Voices of Waitangi 2025 ~ Rubettes, Past + Present 05.02.25

This Waitangi Day, we hear from past + present Rubettes as they reflect on what this day means to them. In a year where the political landscape has intensified discussions around Te Tiriti O Waitangi, their Māori voices offer insight into the significance of this moment ~ one that calls for unity, reflection & action.


"Ka mua, ka muri - Walking backwards into the future. By learning from the past and acting with purpose in the present, we can create a more just and united future for all."

How will you be celebrating this Waitangi Day?

Saffron: For me, this Waitangi Day means returning home to Tauranga to rest, recharge, and reflect. I was privileged to spend last year in a full immersion Te Reo Māori course on my tūrangawaewae in Tauranga, where I witnessed firsthand the power, potential, and straight up joy that comes from our collective unity.

Leah: This year, I’ll be with my whānau, having a barbecue as we always do. Dad will probably bring out the guitar, and we’ll sing beautiful waiata, finishing with a karakia. During this time, we’ll remember my grandparents and ancestors through stories my dad shares about growing up on his whānau land.

What’s different about this Waitangi Day for you?

Tatiana: This year there is an even greater emphasis on the importance of celebrating Waitangi Day, especially in the current political climate. It is a time to come together with whānau, reflect on what truly matters, and appreciate the things we are grateful for. This Waitangi Day also holds special significance as it marks the first with Kuini Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō as reigning monarch. Her ascension represents a new era of wāhine Māori leadership within the Kīngitanga.

Isla: This Waitangi Day feels different because, over the past few years, I’ve been thinking more about my connection to my Māori heritage. I’ve often taken a backseat in these kinds of conversations, fearing my voice might be amplified over others who have a deeper, more lived relationship with their Māoritanga. I’m not proud of how distant I have become with my Māori heritage, which I’ve noticed is a learned behaviour within my family and a result of generational disconnection, largely stemming from the experiences my grandad had as a brown person in Aotearoa. The discrimination he experienced firsthand led to a distancing from te ao Māori, a protective measure that, over time, became a loss of cultural knowledge.

Saffron: In reflecting on Waitangi Day and our wider political landscape of late, a whakatauākī (Māori proverb) from Kīngi Tāwhiao comes to mind: ‘Ki te kotahi te kākaho, ka whati. Ki te kāpuia, e kore e whati.’ When we stand alone we are vulnerable, but together we are unbreakable. Recent politics around Te Tiriti, particularly the proposed Treaty Principles Bill, are premised on division between Māori and tangata Tiriti. This is why kotahitanga - standing together in solidarity - is more crucial than ever.

What does kotahitanga mean to you on this day?

Leah: There is a whakataukī that says, ‘Mā te kotahitanga e whai kaha ai tātou,’ meaning, ‘In unity, we have strength.’ After being part of two hīkoi last year, I felt a huge sense of whānau and manaakitanga as everyone gathered in support of Te Tiriti. People from different backgrounds, families, and cultures came together for one common goal—to protect our rights as Māori. We stood in peaceful protest, united, and that was inspiring to be a part of.

Tatiana: To me, kotahitanga is about unity, coming together with love and respect at the heart of everything we do. It is about standing as one, while honoring our differences, strengthening our connections, and moving forward as one. This day is a reminder that our collective strength lies in our ability to be united, yet celebrate the diversity that makes us whole.

What aspects of this year’s Waitangi Day feel important?

Tatiana: Waitangi Day is a time to reflect on our shared commitment to unity and common goals as one people. However, the Treaty Principles Bill has deepened divisions in our country, diverting our focus from collective journey towards not just equality, but true equity. Equity requires more than just acknowledgment, it requires action. It means recognising disparities that still exist and committing every day to real, meaningful change.

It is important to acknowledge that Māori continue to face systemic disadvantage. The loss of land, language, and the ongoing effects of intergenerational trauma are real. But there is hope, and a cultural shift is underway. The overwhelming support for the hīkoi across the country shows that people are standing up. I truly believe we are the generation poised to drive lasting change.

Leah: After the Treaty Principles Bill was introduced last year, it served as a powerful reminder that Waitangi Day is not just a reflection on the past, but also a call to action for the present and the future. It highlighted the ongoing responsibility we all share in upholding the promises made in 1840 and ensuring that Te Tiriti o Waitangi remains a living, guiding document.



 

 

 



In what ways can we stand in solidarity with Māori?

Isla: Seeking out and amplifying Māori perspectives, through listening to and supporting Māori-led initiatives, attending community discussions, and ensuring Māori voices are heard and valued in decision-making spaces. Even if we cannot physically participate in protests, we can show support by staying informed, sharing credible information, and acknowledging the importance of these movements. Also recognising that people have different relationships with their Māori identity, and provide a space where people can openly share experiences, ask questions, and navigate their own connections to te ao Māori without fear of judgment.

Tatiana: One of the most powerful ways to show solidarity is through education; learning about Te Tiriti o Waitangi, understanding the impacts of colonisation, and honestly confronting any biases we may hold. Actively listening to and amplifying Māori voices is key for creating meaningful change. Even small actions, like using te reo Māori greetings in the workplace and in everyday life, can make a real difference in fostering a more inclusive environment.

Saffron: Heoi anō, regardless of where you come from, as people living on this land, Te Tiriti o Waitangi concerns us all. Te Tiriti provides the foundation for mutual flourishing and peace among us all – Māori mā, tauiwi mā. Given this, the most powerful thing we can do is stand up for Te Tiriti o Waitangi and hold the Kāwanatanga (Government) to account. So nau mai, maranga mai – come join in. However that may look for you, the best way to start is by educating yourself on Te Tiriti and its role in Aotearoa ( togetherfortetiriti.nz has a great breakdown!)

Your message for the next generation about Waitangi Day...

Tatiana: Ka mua, ka muri - Walking backwards into the future

To shape the future, we must first look to the past. The choices we make today will shape the world for generations. Let us be the generation of change, while following the wisdom and guidance from those who came before us. By learning from the past and acting with purpose in the present, we can create a more just and united future for all.

Isla: To stay connected with your community, friends and whanau; stay informed and continue to listen.

Leah: I am Māori and Pākehā. I’ve been challenged to educate myself more about my Māori heritage. My message would be to keep learning, keep questioning, and continue the kōrero.

Saffron: Despite the divisive nature of our current political landscape, we–Māori and Tāngata Tiriti alike–can continue to weave together to resist and rise, bound by kotahitanga, hope, and love.


Saffron Puti Stanley (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāi Tahu)

Leah Kahika (Te Whakatōhea, Te Whānau ā Apanui, Te Ararwa, Hauraki)

Tatiana Warren (Ngāi Tahu, Rangitāne, Ngāti Kahungunu)

Isla Beazley (Ati-Haunui-Ā-Pāpārangi and Ngā Rauru)



 

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