Image 1: Sara Jane Elika, Ambassador Tom Udall, Leaupepe Ta'ala Ralph Elika
Celebration of language is at the heart of cultures across Te Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa and ECG honoured Te Wiki o te Reo Māori through connection, teaching and learning. It's been 50 years since Te Petihana Reo Māori, the language petition that set the country on a new course to revitalise Te Reo Māori, was presented to Parliament on September 14, 1972.
Image 2: US Embassy reception keynote Ambassador Tom Udall
ECG Directors were invited to a celebration at the American embassy with Ambassador Tom Udall, his wife Jill Cooper and Consul General Sarah Nelson to acknowledge Te Wiki o te Reo Māori with representatives from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.
Image 3: Sara Jane Elika, Consul General Sarah Nelson, Leaupepe Ta'ala Ralph Elika
'It was encouraging to hear the connection with indigenous leadership Ambassador Udall described while working with Native American tribal leaders in the New Mexico state. His passion to champion tribal self-governance and native language revitalisation really resonated with similar issues we have here in Aotearoa ' says Leaupepe Ta'ala Ralph Elika.
As specialists in the Pacific Economy, ECG heard first-hand Ambassador Udall's priorities on climate change and commitment to building relationships in the Indo-Pacific region. This highlighted the importance of staying connected with networks that understand the key issues impacting the Pacific and the special connection that Aotearoa has with Te Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa.
ECG enjoys working alongside Māori organisations like Tāmaki Kāinga Haumaru (TKH) to support and develop their strategic planning. TKH is a collective involving Te Pērā Mahi Oranga Charitable Trust, Te Huruhi Trust and Matapuna Enterprise Services that weaves the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi particularly Kāwanatanga (Governance), Rangatiratanga (Agency) and Oritetanga (Equity) into their kaupapa. The TKH collective runs transitional housing with the support of the Tāmaki Regeneration Company and draws their strength from the touchstone values that guide their work together;
These are
Tika: truth, correctness, directness, justice, fairness, righteousness,
Pono: to be true, valid, honest, genuine, sincere,
Aroha: affection, sympathy, charity, compassion, love, empathy.
Working alongside organisations that aspire to build a culturally safe and strong support system is how we engage with our partners. We are committed to upholding Te Tiriti and the journey to learn more about Te Ao Māori with our Pacific heritage. As Pacific people, we acknowledge our relationship with tangata whenua and the tuākana–tēina connection. As discussed by Minister Mahuta, Aotearoa shares the Pacific as our home and kaitiaki (responsibility) for Te Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa.
At ECG, we understand that Māori and Pacific peoples share rich historical ties and whakapapa (genealogy) that determine their special whanaungatanga (relationship) to and with each other. We continue to partner and look forward to further collaboration and connection with our Māori and Pacific communities.
Image 4: Group photo: ECG, Tāmaki Kāinga Haumaru (TKH) Collective and Tāmaki Regeneration Company