Engage in good faith on the Treaty
One antidote for the “sound and fury” surrounding te Tiriti o Waitangi is for discussions between those of different views to take place in good faith, AUT Professor of History Paul Moon says.
“How we approach te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi has become one of the most contentious challenges facing the country – as well as one of the most important ones.
“It’s as though, as a nation, we’ve reached an impasse. Yet, te Tiriti/the Treaty has produced a relationship that – however fractious – we are all a part of.”
Professor Moon says that too often when groups with different views on the topic confront each other, they chafe on contact.
“One antidote for this situation, but not the only one, is for discussions between a diverse range of people to be carried out in good faith.”
Professor Moon says this is difficult in an age when gladiatorial contests between opposing groups attract the most attention, and when there is an appetite for ‘gotcha’ moments and click-bait.
Te Tiriti/the Treaty defines relations between Māori and the Crown not only constitutionally, but also culturally and in many other ways, he says.
In addition, the agreement has become a defining part of the nation’s identity and is now insinuated in many aspects of public life.
“However, practically every square inch of the territory relating to te Tiriti/the Treaty is contested, and in many instances, passionately so. Beneath all this sound and fury, though, is a noticeable paucity of knowledge on the subject," Professor Moon says.
“For some people, internet rabbit-holes, conspiracy theories, or the dubious wisdom of talkback radio is their chief source of information on te Tiriti/the Treaty. For others, ideological urges have helped shape (or in some cases, mis-shape) their understanding of the agreement.”
The Free Speech Union has included te Tiriti/the Treaty among topics to be discussed on its Good Faith Yarns tour.
Professor Moon will discuss the history of te Tiriti/the Treaty with historian Dr Alistair Reese in Tauranga on July 30 in a talk entitled 186 years: How New Zealand's Relationship With The Treaty Evolved Over Time.
“Alistair and I have different perspectives on certain issues relating to the history of te Tiriti/the Treaty, but we are both approaching the discussion keen to share, keen to learn about alternative perspectives, and in a spirit of good faith.”
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