Ākina CEO Nicola Nation Reflects on Team Day Visit to Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Te Korowai ō Maikuku, Waitangi Grounds.
On Monday, 9 May the Ākina team touched down in Paihia, after being invited by Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi. Sam Napia and Isaiah Apiata rolled out the green carpet for a private tour of the Waitangi Treaty grounds, followed by kai, and an Ākina lead Impact session in Kaikohe.
Ākina’s Chief Executive, Nicola Nation shares her reflections on the visit.
I felt humbled and privileged in the experience that was our trip to Waitangi. The scene was set in a quaint and quirky hotel bar, singing waitata and learning more about the history and whakapapa of Ākina before heading to the Treaty grounds the following day.
As we were welcomed by mana whenua standing in the warm sun beside the whare waka, I slowly realised the role that Isaiah Apiata (Ngāpuhi Rangatira) plays in the Rūnanga. I was blown away with the manaakitanga, respect and mana that we, Ākina, were being shown. Who were we to have earned this honour? I still don’t know the answer to that question. It really was humbling.
I was struck by the openness of Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi. Having visited the Māori Battalion museum on the Treaty Grounds it reminded me of the openness of the Turkish peoples at Gallipoli, who welcomed the people of Aotearoa to their lands, despite the history of war and conflict between our two sides. I reflected that despite the history of Aotearoa, the Māori experience of Te Tiriti and of The Treaty, Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi welcomed us to experience Waitangi, to ako and to collaborate with them. It was very powerful.
“I was blown away with the manaakitanga, respect and mana that we, Ākina, were being shown. Who were we to have earned this honour? I still don’t know the answer to that question. It really was humbling.”
After travelling to Kaikohe and being welcomed onto the Rūnanga, I had the opportunity to speak. I wanted to do justice to the respect and mana that we had been shown, and was anxious to do so. While it was a little intimidating to speak after three fluent and eloquent te reo speakers, Sam Napia put me at ease when he said that the formal welcome had finished and he invited me to speak. He read my feelings well and I knew it would all be okay. I wanted our Ngāpuhi hosts to understand that we, Ākina, acknowledged the opportunity to meet and collaborate, that we did not take this for granted, that we were honoured to be their invited guests onto their sacred whenua at Waitangi.
Ākina team and Trustees at the Waitangi Treaty grounds, May 2022
I felt uplifted and proud (ākina!) when the batton was passed to the Ākina whānau to work their magic. I was grateful for the energy and commitment of our Director of Impact, Clementine Baker who set the tone and represented our mahi with authenticity and integrity and of course her wealth of experience. This was a unique showcase of the depth and breadth of our work, in front of a unique audience, not only the Rūnanga but the Ākina Board and the whole Ākina team. It was really special. I felt very proud, and again humbled to be guiding our waka and leading such talented and dedicated people to achieve such impactful things through our lives and our work.
A massive thank you to Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi-O-Ngāpuhi for hosting us.
Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi
With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive
As a tangata tiriti organisation with a Te Reo Māori name, we have a responsibility to contribute to a more equitable society that celebrates Te Ao Māori and upholds Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We’re working to be an Ākina that supports tangata whenua led processes, where Māori worldviews and values shape how we work every day.
Watch our Instagram reel to see more of our trip.