The politics of reconciliation in New Zealand

Abstract

Reconciliation in New Zealand involves recognition, reparations and an apology for past injustices relating to breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi. In 1840, Māori and the British Crown signed a treaty that promised a beneficial relationship to both signatories. Almost immediately after the Treaty was signed and continuing through to today, promises inherent in the principles of the Treaty have been breached. However, in 1975, a government-appointed permanent commission of inquiry was established to investigate actions or omissions of the Crown that breach the promises made in the Treaty of Waitangi. The Waitangi Tribunal and the Ministry of Justice provide the institutional mechanisms used in New Zealand to foster reconciliation. This article will discuss how the state has moved iwi from being in Treaty ‘grievance mode’ to one of tino rangatiratanga/Māori self-determination and demonstrates how reconciliation has integrated Treaty settlement iwi into the mainstream New Zealand economy.

• Indigenous rights
• Māori
• politics
• reconciliation
• treaty

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ann Sullivan

Author biography

Ann Sullivan is Ngāpuhi, the co-Head of Te Wānanga o Waipapa/School of Māori and Pacific Development at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. She is a Political Scientist specialising in Māori politics and Māori representation and electoral behaviour. Much of her work focuses on public policy issues and she co-edited Indigenous Politics. Institutions, Representation, Mobilisation, ECPR Press, 2015.