Te Tiriti principles
The Action Plan is guided by Te Tiriti principles.
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The relationship between the Crown, and hapū, iwi and Māori citizens, is governed by Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The articles of Te Tiriti provide for:
- kāwanatanga – the governing of Aotearoa New Zealand by the Crown (Article 1)
- tino rangatiratanga – Māori, hapū and iwi having control over their resources, culture and communities (Article 2). (We use tino rangatiratanga to refer to hapū and iwi who were co-signatories of Te Tiriti with the Crown.)
More discussion in the glossary - ōritetanga – Māori having equal rights, as citizens of Aotearoa New Zealand (Article 3).
The Waitangi Tribunal and the courts have derived guiding principles from Te Tiriti. (The principle descriptions draw on analysis by the Waitangi Tribunal Health Services and Outcomes Kaupapa Inquiry (Wai 2575).) These principles apply to this Action Plan.
- Rangatiratanga. For this Action Plan, rangatiratanga means designing, delivering and monitoring government services in ways that enhance Māori self-determination and mana motuhake. The guarantee of rangatiratanga requires the Crown to acknowledge Māori control over their tikanga, resources and people and to allow Māori to manage their own affairs in a way that aligns with their customs and values. (Rangatiratanga relates to Māori citizenship. It describes, for individuals and whānau, the ability to make one’s own decisions over day-to-day activities, or the collective activities of hapū and iwi.)
- Equity. This Action Plan will actively pursue equitable employment outcomes for Māori. To achieve equity, the Government must be aware of any inequity in the labour market. It must ensure that employment, education and training (EET) services not only treat Māori equitably, but also that it funds EET services equitably and ensures that Māori have equitable access to employment, education and training.
- Active protection. Active protection requires the Crown to conduct itself honourably; use fair processes; and consult fully and, where appropriate, make decisions with people whose interests are to be protected. This principle also requires the Crown to make available EET services to Māori that seek to close inequitable gaps in employment outcomes with non-Māori.
- Options. As a Treaty partner, Māori have the right to choose their social and cultural path. The Government’s role is to provide, and properly resource, kaupapa Māori EET services. The Government must ensure that these services are culturally appropriate for Māori.
- Partnership. For this Action Plan, partnership means working with iwi, hapū, whānau and Māori communities to govern, design, deliver and monitor services that seek to improve labour market outcomes for Māori. Māori must co-design services for Māori with the Crown.
Disparate outcomes between Māori and non-Māori are inconsistent with the principles of Te Tiriti. Māori should be able to fully participate in the labour market and expect this to be a satisfying experience. Māori should be able to decide how they participate in the labour market and have opportunities to maximise their potential. The Government is obliged to help achieve this for Māori.
Upholding Te Tiriti obligations
The Action Plan builds on Te Tiriti principles. It aims to proactively help Māori – in their dual identity as tāngata whenua and citizens – succeed and realise their aspirations in the labour market. It will do this by providing opportunities that enable Māori to achieve their aspirations in employment, education and training.
The Action Plan seeks to work in partnership with iwi, hapū and Māori to:
- maximise their rangatiratanga over their resources and goals, and the services they use
- co-design services that recognise differing Māori needs and strive to achieve equity of outcomes
- provide Māori with options to participate in ways that are appropriate for their needs and circumstances.
The Crown will take an active role in ensuring EET systems better serve Māori needs and aspirations.
The actions in this Action Plan aim to contribute to an employment system that is mana enhancing for iwi, hapū and Māori, and improves Māori employment outcomes.
