These past two days have been some of the proudest of my life.
I was offered the opportunity to speak at the Waitangi Tribunal for an urgent case - one that hits painfully close to home. A whanaunga fighting for a pathway that, unbelievably, doesn’t exist for tangata whenua in our own country.
He Māori ahau. Period. And yet, through my own whānau’s journey over the past 4 years, I’ve discovered there was no simple pathway for my tuahine, for our mana whenua.
It’s been 4 years of frustration, anger, and mamae. And still, I know my whānau walked this path with privilege and access to resources. So then… what happens to others in the same position?
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.
This kōrero was never just about my whānau. It’s about all of us. We should never have to seek validation from outside agencies to affirm our mana whenua.
Tōitu te Tiriti. Mana motuhake. Ake ake ake
This is how I’ll always remember John - standing tall by my side as a little girl, in front of audiences all over the world.
As we approach the 25th anniversary of Whale Rider, I’ve been reflecting deeply on our journey. I feel such immense gratitude to have known you. Thank you for always giving me the space to ask endless questions for 25 years, and for answering with such generosity.
We had a big journey together, Uncle Barnie. I am deeply saddened to hear of your passing. Your vision for our film and television industry was nothing short of extraordinary - you challenged us all to rise to meet you there, and to believe that we could. That belief changed me, and it has shaped us all.
What a legacy you leave behind.
Moe mai rā e te rangatira. Kua hinga tētahi tōtara i te wao nui a Tāne.
We truly are our ancestors wildest dreams come true.
It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to see the Oceanic Arts wing come to to life this week at @metmuseum
My deepest congratulations and gratitude to @maianuku for your vision and what you have laid out for our people and beyond. Nga mihi Kia koutou
A true showcase and celebration of Indigenous excellence. Walking through the halls on Thursday morning at dawn to the sounds and calls of Waiata and karakia from and to our tipuna and ancestors will live in me and through me for generations to come.
Sharing the spaces of the halls amongst the art of our ancestors has been powerful. A call to action and reminder of who we are.
Maku e kī atu
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
Nga Mihi ki a koutou to @metrograph for hosting a retrospective screening of my first film, Whalerider.
We made this film almost 25 years ago now and I still hold the dearest memories of all who were involved in this magic moment in time.
It was incredibly surreal to be able to take my daughter to see this iconic piece of Aotearoa cinema history and to share this story with her on the big screen in her home of NYC.
Incredibly blessed to also share the evening with whanau and friends and my dearest, @lindagk1 , who sheparded this film long before I was born all the way through. Linda is truly one of the most inspirational humans I will ever kno & I’m so grateful we forever share this together. @nikicaro ~ we missed you! Xx
