Press Release: Local Councils to include Te Tiriti O Waitangi in Citizenship ceremonies

The New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils is delighted at the
Green Party’s new member’s bill asking councils to include Te Tiriti o Waitangi in citizenship ceremonies.

The Federation has been lobbying for this for many years, and it is pleasing to see that there is finally some action on this matter.

“We hope that all political parties will support this initiative so it can become reality’ says Federation President Tayo Agunlejika

The Federation is hopeful that the inclusion will not be merely ‘lip service’ but that migrants receive Te Tiriti education including its history and the role it plays in Aotearoa/New Zealand today. “We owe it to migrants to do this” said Mr Agunlejika.

“Migrants need a basic induction programme including a Noho Marae (an overnight stay on a local Iwi marae) when they first arrive in New Zealand, prior to obtaining residency” says Mr Agunlejika “and we believe that Te Tiriti should be the basis of a such a Noho Marae Induction programme.

The Federation with funding from Community Sector Taskforce has already begun this initiative, by holding a pilot induction programme early this year from which a report Te Tiriti/The Treaty Partnership Project was produced. The feedback received from participants showed that such a programme was welcomed by the migrant community. They were delighted to gain an understanding of how Te Tiriti plays a significant part in Aotearoa/New Zealand society. The pilot not only gave migrants an understanding of Te Tiriti, but also built positive relationships with local Iwi in each of the 4 areas the pilot was conducted.

On the basis of this feedback a further roll out of the programme will be undertaken by the Federation early next year throughout the remainder of the country.

NZFMC will continue to promote a Treaty Based Multiculturalism in all the
work it undertakes.

Ma te huruhuru te manu ka rere – with wings the bird is able to fly.

ENDS

© Scoop Media