Māori and the Waitangi Tribunal: History, crisis and healing

Historical trauma is a term commonly used by Native American researchers who have investigated the impact of past relationships between native populations and settler governments on current and future generations of Native Americans. The significance of their research is the emphasis placed on creating healthy, sustainable indigenous futures whilst recognising and seeking redress for historical injustices. These studies have been discussed in New Zealand by Native American scholars (e.g. Dr Karina Walters, Lynn Holder Palmanteer) and can be applied to the Treaty Claims process in New Zealand.

This scoping report will lay the foundations for a larger study about the ways in which different iwi have initiated healing processes amongst their own people when dealing with the effects of historical trauma. These processes are often undertaken by iwi in the post-negotiation and post-settlement phase of claim-making with the purpose of strengthening future generations of Maori. Waitangi Tribunal researchers have given little attention to the social and cultural impact and/or regeneration of iwi in the post-Treaty Claim phase; yet while so many Treaty claims await negotiation and settlement, these narratives could well assist iwi who are new to the Treaty Claims process or who are about to prepare a claim for the Waitangi Tribunal. Moreover, the role of these historical narratives in planning for future generations is central to our understanding of who we are, and how we have responded to Crown intervention over time.