Published in: Kokiri Issue 21 - Kohi-tātea - Hui-tanguru 2011
Tēnā rā tātou katoa
The focus of this summer edition of Kōkiri, which comes to you in time for Te Matatini o te Rā 2011, is 2010 in review.
As you read the plethora of stories that highlight Māori achievements throughout last year and admire the many pictures, I hope you will feel the same sense of pride and optimism I felt as I looked over them.
“Pride” because Māori are key players and influencers in every sphere of our existence and our achievements are outstanding; whether it be on the sports field, in business, in local communities, or in public service as officials or politicians. “Optimism” because each story is an example of “Māori succeeding as Māori” which means Māori define and shape Māori success without cost to who we are as Māori.
Māori know only too well that our history is also our future; looking back not only helps us to look forward but also to be bold and active as we do so.
It has been an interesting start to 2011. The annual Ratana and Waitangi Day Celebrations are just behind us and as I write, Te Matatini o te Rā (the world’s largest celebration of Māori performing arts) is eagerly anticipated.
It has been an interesting start internationally too. I have noted that governments globally and especially the public service are in various states and rates of change driven by economic factors such as reducing costs, achieving greater efficiencies or responding to changes in social conditions. New Zealand is no different. But one factor which makes us unique in our public service and within the wider machinery of government is the form of Crown/Māori relationships.
In this context, two important questions are what role do Māori people wish to take within change and what effect might this have on our public service? For us at Te Puni Kōkiri, this means considering the best role and shape for our organisation in order to respond to change. In considering this, we must stay in the present and continue to deliver on our Ministers’ requirements while maintaining our eye on the medium term. We will, of course, be guided by our outcome statement “Māori succeeding as Māori.”