Play by play

A haka on repeat

I had every intention of giving you some more Aupiki analysis today. But there’s been only one event on my mind this week as Hīkoi mō te Tiriti winds it’s way closer to Parliament.

Long time readers will know by now that I am a firm believer that sport and politics do mix. So I am going to freely stir these two subjects together to give you a play by play of the scenes that unfolded in Parliament last night.

Time is running down on the clock as the votes are cast for the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill. The umpire from his chair clarifies that the Green’s captains plea of a “personal vote” on the bill is out of bounds and the teams are to play on. Around the grounds we go then. A volley of call and response.

New Zealand National - 49 votes in favour.
Their captain has been saying all season that they would be willing to forfeit their relationship with Māori in order to progress in the tournament but still, it’s an underarm delivery. A shameful act that goes against the spirit of fair play and the promises they made on the campaign trail. Time will tell whether such a game plan was worth a spot in the finals.

New Zealand Labour - 34 votes opposed.
A good clean strike, gains some ground for the Toitū te Tiriti (TTT) team. Still well short of the try line, they will need to retain opposition to string more phases together.

Green Party of Aotearoa, New Zealand - 15 votes opposed.
A line break here! A swing in momentum just as it’s needed, they now confidently enter the 22. Pressure now on the Government, how will the respond?

ACT New Zealand - 11 votes in favour.
Just as the Toitū te Tiriti team were on the edge of something, it’s been turned over. Having only gained 8% of the interest of the crowd, they certainly are making a big impact on the match today.

New Zealand First - 8 votes in favour.
These old dogs will be taking note of this performance with their own policy play off match coming up shortly. Unlike their teammate ACT who were looking to redefine which game is our national one, New Zealand First’s issue is with the officiating and current record.

Their upcoming review of the Waitangi Tribunal is seeking to limit the interference of the TMO in their passage of policy. They also want to do a control+f, control+delete of all references to te Tiriti o Waitangi from legislation. Away from the bright lights of this stadium, this upcoming match could end up doing more damage to the hopes that race relations in this country could progress any further.

Te Pāti Māori - 6 votes opposed.
A ROAR FROM THE CROWD AS TE PĀTI MĀORI MAKE THE FINAL PLAY!
The camera operator swings to attention, zooming in quickly on the player making the moves here for Toitū te Tiriti.

Umpires calls are fruitless as play has already moved beyond their rulebook. This is a moment, bigger than the game being played in Parliament. These are the scenes that will spread like wild fire, around the country, around the world.

The young MP leads her team, the wiri of her hand now perfectly still as she tears the bill in two. It’s a perfect split, just like that down our country between good sense and bad intentions.

Note the raised pinky, a metaphoric middle finger to the colonial foolishness behind this bill. We are witnessing masterclass performance.

Her bench mate smiles to herself then lifts that smile to the room as she rises to her feet. All of the Toitū te Tiriti team are already on theirs. Lifted by the thousand marching to Parliament at this very moment from all parts of the country.

Tis death, tis death. Tis life, tis life. Tis only right that Ka Mate be performed here. Filled with mana the All Black could only dream of conjuring. The energy of this audacious play immediately infectious. Passing from one MP to another, to another.

And suddenly there are too many laying down this challenge that the only option is to standby and bear witness. A timely reminder, that we are the guests of Tangata Whenua. Any power we have is only what they afford us.

WHITI TE RA! Echoes in the chamber. The sun rises, it’s translation. It’s meaning unmistakable. Whatever the outcome of the games played within the houses of Parliament, the sun will rise. Just like Māori and their allies in opposition to this racism.

With you,
Alice