The State of Māori Rights, 2nd Edition

Project Summary

The second edition of The State of Māori Rights gathers Māori perspectives on key events and issues that have shaped our lives over the past thirty years. Scheduled for publication in 2025, it is a major revision and update of the 2011 first edition, which continues to be widely used in university courses.

The book draws on kōrero from hui Māori held around the country to reflect many—though not all—of the matters important to Māori as we encountered them. Our views often differ significantly from those of the government and from the perspectives commonly promoted in Pākehā media. This book validates Māori perspectives by documenting them from within a Māori worldview, grounded in mātauranga Māori and the lived experiences of those most affected.

It records numerous examples of systemic discrimination against Māori and explores the resulting impacts on Māori wellbeing. It also highlights actions that have challenged and disrupted that discrimination—through legal avenues, Commissions of Inquiry, and communities repeatedly exercising mana motuhake, often in defiance of efforts to silence or suppress them.

The passing of those who fought for Māori rights is acknowledged each year, and each chapter ends with moments that uplift and inspire.

This second edition is being published by Huia Publishers and is currently in press.

Project Lead

Professor Margaret Mutu, Ngāti Kahu, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Whātua, University of Auckland