Tairāwhiti rangatahi wāhine contribute thought-provoking essays to Ngā Kupu Wero

Henarata Pishief and Te Paea Maurirere are honoured to be in the Ngā Kupu Wero book. Picture supplied

Writings by two rangatahi wāhine from Tairāwhiti are in the latest edition of Ngā Kupu Wero, which focuses on different aspects of the Māori world.

Ngā Kupu Wero is an anthology of non-fiction by contemporary Māori writers.

The publication brings together essays, articles, commentary and creative non-fiction on the political, cultural and social issues that challenge us today. It is edited by Witi Ihimaera, Vaughan Rapatahana and Jacinta Ruru.

More than 60 writers contributed to the book, including Te Paea Maurirere and Henarata Pishief. Both are students at Gisborne Girls’ High School.

Te Paea’s piece is what she interprets to be the biggest issues Māori experience.

These include the historical impact of colonisation, disparities in incarceration and poverty, and what she sees as the ongoing systemic racism and discrimination towards Māori.

She wrote about this because as a rangatahi Māori she finds it “excruciatingly disappointing that we still live in a society that openly criticises and marginalises Māori, along with other minority communities”.

“I aim to speak for those who cannot find the words to speak for themselves,” she says.

“Ko ngā rangatahi ngā rangatira mō apōpō, the youth are the leaders of tomorrow. But I don’t plan on waiting till then to lead, and I don’t think other rangatahi should either.”

Te Paea hopes her piece NAMED will help people recognise the urgent challenges Māori face today and the need for immediate action.

“As a young Māori woman, I’ve seen those in power avoid taking responsibility for the lack of progress in addressing these issues. It’s not enough to apologise for the past or wonder about high statistics. We need concrete actions from those in positions of influence to tackle these problems.”

“I want every reader to understand that New Zealand has never been an equal country, and it won’t be unless we collectively work towards change at all levels: as individuals, within communities, and as a society.”

Henarata Pishief wrote about the intersectionality between being Māori and being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

She wanted to highlight the importance of having conversations on the topic, while also recognising that they can be difficult and vulnerable korero.

“Instead of looking at a more widespread issue, I chose to focus on one a littler closer to myself, one I wasn’t sure others would be writing about. I think the key reason I thought it would be important for me, is that it was about making sure the ideas I discussed were brought up.”

Both are honoured to be included in the book.

“By being included in this book, together we create one powerful voice,” said Te Paea. “One that has been echoing for generations stains the pages of this book, and to me that truly is something amazing.”

Henarata said the whole book was full of  many different insightful pieces of work from many writers she looks up to.

“I hope that anyone reading it is able to resonate with it, and take something from at least one of the pieces in it, if not many more.”