Māori & Deaf Culture
Tēnā koutou, ko Ngāti Wehi Wehi, Ngāti Raukawa-ki-te-Tonga, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Pikiao e mihi atu nei.
I began in January 2025 as the Māori Cultural Lead, a role that has involved a great deal of observing, listening, and learning as I find my footing and contribute to kaupapa that strengthens Māori cultural visibility and relationships across Māori, Turi Māori, and Deaf communities.
Internally, I have supported a wide range of mahi, from helping shape strategies and providing a cultural lens for events and projects to contributing feedback on the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Sometimes the work is as simple as having kōrero with kaimahi to build shared understanding. As part of deepening that understanding, I also explored where we currently stand as an organisation. This included running a short internal survey to gauge staff confidence in areas such as te reo Māori, Māori concepts, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The aim is to shape meaningful learning opportunities that build our collective cultural capability over time.
One impactful kaupapa this year was our presentation at Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, delivered to representatives from twenty different public sector organisations. Kōrero was shared by Ryan Cassidy (Deaf Aotearoa Chairperson) and Erica Dawson (Deaf Cultural Lead), exploring Deaf identity, Te Tiriti, Turi Māori, and allyship. The session combined history, humour, and practical tools, bringing Deaf culture and cultural awareness to the forefront while strengthening valuable relationships.
The relationship with Te Taura Whiri was further strengthened through the 50th anniversary of the Te Wiki o te Reo Māori Parade in Pōneke, a powerful celebration of Māori Language Week and a proud example of inclusion. Deaf Aotearoa supported NZSL interpreting at the event, where interpreters worked alongside a fluent reo Māori speaker who relayed English content. This approach enabled NZSL interpreters to provide access for the Deaf hāpori while honouring both te reo Māori and NZSL. It was a thoughtful solution that reflected the kaupapa of the day: uplifting te reo Māori while ensuring accessibility for all.
Whakawhanaungatanga has been central to my mahi. I was privileged to be welcomed into two kaupapa connected with the Turi Māori community: one at Auckland Deaf Society, where a whaikairo by John Rua was gifted to the whare and unveiled, and another at Rūaumoko Marae, where personal stories were shared in acknowledgement of rangatira who have supported the community and have since passed on. Moe mai rā. Both moments were powerful reminders of the strength and richness within our community, and the importance of creating spaces where culture and identity are embraced.
