One of those workshops was dedicated solely to the voices, ideas and aspirations of rangatahi Māori, who have been identified by Kīngi Tūheitia as a priority.
He told them, “Thank you for coming. Your voices are valued, your voices are important, your voices are heard.”
Rangatahi stepped up and made the most of the opportunity they were given.
Rangatahi Forum facilitator Piripi WIniata delivered a summary of the key points to those gathered at the marae.
He spoke of one of the participants, asking, “Why did it take a coalition Government like this for our people to come together and talk about what’s important to us?”
As a result, rangatahi told those assembled at Tūrangawaewae Marae that gatherings bringing iwi together to strategise an autonomous way forward should not be reactive, but should be held every three years regardless of who is in government.
He said maintaining the momentum of the kōrero, staying on track with plans and building and strengthening consensus was dependent on regular hui focused on those aims.
Rangatahi also delivered a united call for iwi to leverage their knowledge and consistent use of social media platforms.
Two of the forum panellists, Te Aorere Pewhairangi and Hana Tapiata, have a combined following of more than 200,000 people they engage with online daily.
Iwi were encouraged to seek out and connect with rangatahi Māori influencers to build and encourage engagement with younger generations, using content created by and for them.
They were told the fight in future might look slightly different, but the pursuit of unity and autonomy would remain the same.
The mauri was handed across to Rātana following the hui and discussions will continue at Rātana celebrations this week.
They will carry on at Waitangi, and Kīngi Tūheitia announced the conversation will also travel to Te Waipounamu and Te Tairāwhiti.
