I'm Glad I'm a Nati - Dale Karauria

I met a black South African woman last week, and when she asked what I was, I told her I was (along with beautiful, intelligent and well-travelled of course) a Nati.  And then proceeded to explain what that was.  To say she was amazed is an understatement.  She’d been led to believe (by people who shall remain nameless -  but they’re definitely not Natis) that Maori were poor, oppressed, uneducated, lacking a political voice, and unable to develop/ compete without government funding.

Natis are definitely not poor – because we don’t measure our ‘wealth’ in pure financial terms.  We have a rich history, an abundance of ancestors whose achievements we continue to acknowledge and benefit from, a profusion of compositions, arts and cultural artefacts that reflect our unique identity, a wealth of resources to draw on, numerous thinkers and doers – and of course, a plentiful supply of (highly informed) opinions. 

I have yet to meet a Nati who is oppressed – some might say that we need to be suppressed – but hey, don’t hate us cos you ain’t us!  I don’t think it enters our psyche to see ourselves as oppressed or victims or powerless.  We’re proud – and have every reason to be!

You’d have to go a long way to find a Nati who is not ‘qualified’ to offer an opinion.  My mother has never been to medical school, but can diagnose an illness on sight.  Thankfully, unlike her mother, the cure doesn’t always involve a good dose of cod-liver oil!  Natis and education?  E tipu e rea…  Need I say more?

We definitely don’t lack a political voice.  Who was the first iwi to remind this new government that we are the Treaty partner (and not the Maori Party as they were being led to believe)?  That’s right – we were.  And let’s not forget our iwi politics (as if!).   Given our extensive political experience, should we consider a Nati Party for the next election? 

Although initially supported through the Whaia te iti kahurangi schooling improvement project, the Te Rangitawaea Festival has to be one of the many Nati initiatives which we can be hugely proud of.  The Festival not only showcases the immense talent in our Ngati Porou East Coast schools, students and whanau, but also demonstrates how we can do things off our own steam.

Anyway, it  was a great reminder that Wellington is sadly lacking iwi voices.  I actually felt offended on this woman’s behalf – her people face far bigger hurdles to their development than the Maori here in New Zealand.  In whose interest is it for Maori to be portrayed (domestically and internationally) as victims?  I’m glad I’m a Nati…