The Iwi Chairs Forum-led People’s Action Plan Against Racism Aotearoa (PAPARA) Launches Timely Website to Tackle Racism Head-On

From harmful policy being pushed through Parliament, to Māori artists facing public ridicule for using haka on national and international stages — racism in Aotearoa is constant, visible, and intensifying. These experiences are headline news, viral content, and a daily reality for our people.

The launch of the PAPARA website provides a much-needed, community-driven response — a living toolkit to challenge racism, amplify resistance, and help hold institutions accountable.
The National Iwi Chairs Forum’s antiracism working group Maranga Mai will launch the website for PAPARA – the People’s Action Plan Against Racism Aotearoa on Wednesday 4 June at 7:00pm with an online webinar open to the public.

The launch of www.papara.co.nz signals a new chapter in Aotearoa’s response to racism, led by iwi and communities, after the Government abandoned its own commitments to a national action plan.

PAPARA is a living, independent movement and resource hub designed to track, challenge, and respond to racism in all its forms – especially colonial and institutional racism. The website features:
A public repository of resources for communities, educators and researchers

Advice on staying safe during times of racial hostility

Updates on the racist impacts of policy and legislation

A reporting and contact tool for public input into the action plan

The working group includes a rangatahi caucus to support strong youth input into the plan, and is overseen by Kahurangi Dame Naida Glavish, Rahui Papa and Pou Tikanga co-chairs Professor Margaret Mutu and Aperahama Edwards.

Both Dame Naida and Rahui Papa have expressed their deep concern at the direction of the current government and the continued and urgent need for this kaupapa.

“When a government turns its back on a commitment to eliminate racism – a commitment made not only to Māori, but to the world through the United Nations – it becomes our responsibility to step forward,” said Dame Naida.

“This plan is not just about responding to racism – it’s about confronting its root: colonisation, and restoring the dignity of tangata whenua and all communities impacted.”

“PAPARA is one of our many responses to political neglect,” added Rahui Papa.
“We will not allow silence to be mistaken for consent. This kaupapa will gather stories, evidence, and solutions from the ground up. It is by the people, for the people – and it will endeavor to hold power to account while educating and informing communities.”

The Ministry of Justice, in partnership with the National Iwi Chairs Forum, began developing a national action plan against racism in 2022, following recommendations under the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It was also a key response requested by the working group on the recommendations of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the 2019 Attack on Christchurch Mosques. However, in early 2024, after attempts by Minister Paul Goldsmith to diminish the plan’s focus on colonial and institutional racism, the Tangata Whenua caucus to the action plan withdrew from the process, declaring the partnership untenable. From that point on, the government has failed to progress its own action plan against racism, abandoned all action on hate speech and hate crimes, and has concluded its response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry, leaving multiple recommendations unmet.

These matters have become even more relevant in light of the Regulatory Standards Bill currently being advanced by the Government. The bill has raised alarm for its potential to undermine Te Tiriti o Waitangi and roll back protections against structural racism. This is just one attempt of many by this government to try and erode human rights in Aotearoa.
A draft of the independent People’s Action Plan Against Racism is expected to be completed by October 2025.

To attend the launch webinar on 4 June at 7pm and learn more about PAPARA, register at https://tinyurl.com/AntiRacistAotearoa 

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