Tāme Iti, arguably New Zealand's most recognisable Māori rights activist, has been through a transformation from being branded a "terrorist" by the state to becoming a national treasure. Born in 1952 on a moving train and raised by an older couple as a customary care arrangement, Iti was exposed to discussions about his iwi's history, settler violence against his people, and land confiscation from a young age.
This formative exposure stuck with him, and he soon found himself at the forefront of Māori youth activism in the 1970s. The infamous "Māori embassy" protest on parliament's lawns in 1972 was one of Iti's first notable actions, a symbolic gesture that embodied his style of protest. However, this action also sparked controversy among older generations who felt it was too confrontational.
Iti's activism gained momentum as he joined the Ngā Tamatoa group and became involved in protests against racism and government policies. His commitment to Māori rights and expression took root early on in his life, but it wasn't until later that he began to make a name for himself as a prominent figure in New Zealand society.
One of Iti's most notable actions was the 1975 Māori Land March, which contributed to the creation of the Waitangi Tribunal – an institution established to investigate breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document. This event marked a significant turning point in the country's history and cemented Iti's place as a leading voice for Māori rights.
Despite facing challenges and setbacks along the way, including being branded a "terrorist" by the state, Iti persevered. His activism has had a lasting impact on New Zealand, with his influence evident in the push to advance Māori rights and restore land to its rightful owners.
Iti's personal story is one of resilience and determination, as he recounts his journey from being forced to write lines about not speaking Māori as punishment to becoming a national treasure. His memoir, Mana, offers a deeply personal account of his life and activism, peppered with photographs that capture key moments in his journey.
Today, Iti continues to be a vocal advocate for Indigenous rights and expression, and his commitment to caring for humanity remains unwavering. Despite the challenges posed by the current coalition government's policies aimed at rolling back Māori language use in public services, Iti remains steadfast in his resolve to protect and promote Māori culture.
Through his activism and memoir, Tāme Iti has left an indelible mark on New Zealand's history and identity. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving Indigenous rights and promoting cultural expression – a message that continues to resonate with people around the world.
This formative exposure stuck with him, and he soon found himself at the forefront of Māori youth activism in the 1970s. The infamous "Māori embassy" protest on parliament's lawns in 1972 was one of Iti's first notable actions, a symbolic gesture that embodied his style of protest. However, this action also sparked controversy among older generations who felt it was too confrontational.
Iti's activism gained momentum as he joined the Ngā Tamatoa group and became involved in protests against racism and government policies. His commitment to Māori rights and expression took root early on in his life, but it wasn't until later that he began to make a name for himself as a prominent figure in New Zealand society.
One of Iti's most notable actions was the 1975 Māori Land March, which contributed to the creation of the Waitangi Tribunal – an institution established to investigate breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document. This event marked a significant turning point in the country's history and cemented Iti's place as a leading voice for Māori rights.
Despite facing challenges and setbacks along the way, including being branded a "terrorist" by the state, Iti persevered. His activism has had a lasting impact on New Zealand, with his influence evident in the push to advance Māori rights and restore land to its rightful owners.
Iti's personal story is one of resilience and determination, as he recounts his journey from being forced to write lines about not speaking Māori as punishment to becoming a national treasure. His memoir, Mana, offers a deeply personal account of his life and activism, peppered with photographs that capture key moments in his journey.
Today, Iti continues to be a vocal advocate for Indigenous rights and expression, and his commitment to caring for humanity remains unwavering. Despite the challenges posed by the current coalition government's policies aimed at rolling back Māori language use in public services, Iti remains steadfast in his resolve to protect and promote Māori culture.
Through his activism and memoir, Tāme Iti has left an indelible mark on New Zealand's history and identity. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving Indigenous rights and promoting cultural expression – a message that continues to resonate with people around the world.
I'm so hyped about Tāme Iti's journey from being misunderstood to becoming a national treasure 
! Like, who wouldn't want to be known for fighting for Māori rights and land justice? 
He's such an inspiration, especially given all the struggles he faced - from being punished for speaking his native language to being labeled a "terrorist" by the state 
. It's wild that he used those experiences as fuel to keep pushing forward 
. And can we talk about how his activism has contributed to creating institutions like the Waitangi Tribunal? 
That's some real power right there 
! I'm loving how he remains steadfast in his commitment to Indigenous rights and cultural expression, especially in the face of government policies that aim to erode those things 
. Tāme Iti is a true hero and a reminder that our collective actions can create lasting change 
Ugh, why do they have to make an app for sharing memories with family? Like, I know it's supposed to be nice to preserve history, but can't they just leave some of this stuff on a physical bookshelf or something? Iti's story is already iconic, no need to turn it into a digital legacy 
. Can't we just have a simple, easy-to-use platform for sharing stories without all these bells and whistles? 
Just think about it, since 1972 when Iti was part of that "Māori embassy" protest, there's been a 53% increase in Māori youth taking part in activism 
The number of people who identify as Māori has risen by 32% since 2011, and that's largely due to the efforts of activists like Iti 
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. That's amazing progress, if you ask me!
Iti's influence extends beyond New Zealand's borders, with his story inspiring Indigenous rights movements globally. A survey by the Pew Research Center (2022) found that 71% of Americans believe it's essential to recognize and respect Indigenous cultures.