Te Aka Kumara O Te Ao Maninirau

The Kumara Vine of the Circus World

 

As practitioners of circus within Aotearoa New Zealand, it is our responsibility to uphold Te Tiriti O Waitangi.

We acknowledge all of the various iwi, hapū and whānau Māori as tāngata whenua, we put this acknowledgement into action by encouraging our Circus community to educate themselves, and providing the following resources as a stepping stone to do so.

ANZCA Te Tiriti o Waitangi Commitment Statement

As the umbrella organisation for circus in Aotearoa, ANZCA has a primary responsibility to engage with iwi and Māori to give effect to and realise the promise of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 

Understanding Te Tiriti o Waitangi in order to embed it into our practices and daily lives will be a process of study, self-reflection and behavioural change for ANZCA as an organisation and ANZCA steering committee members as individuals. 

ANZCA recognises the commitment required to exist as the umbrella circus organisation in Aotearoa and this policy outlines the steps it will commit to going forward. This policy will be reviewed biennially for amendments. 

Formation

This policy was first developed by ANZCA chairperson Eve Gordon in August 2021 with the gracious input of Kahurangi Bronsson-George and Kiriana Sheree Kemp. 

Acknowledgement

ANZCA acknowledges Māori as the tangata whenua across Aotearoa and actively commits to practicing mana whenua; the consultation with and acknowledgement of the iwi Māori of the area where major meetings and events are to take place. ANZCA understands that this practice of mana whenua creates important mutual and collective humility.  

Ngā Mātāpono o Te Tiriti / The Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi

ANZCA will allow the following set of principles, derived from the acknowledged principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, to provide guidance on ways to operate going forward. 

Below are written ways in which ANZCA will activate these principles.

The second Article of the Treaty guarantees to iwi Māori the control and enjoyment of resources and taonga that it is their wish to retain. This provides for Māori self-determination and mana motuhake and expects ANZCA to honour this in our policies and actions.

ANZCA will;

  • Practice Mana Whenua at significant meetings and events.
  • Consultation within the development of resources and policies which speak of, reference, or include tikanga Māori or any type of taonga Māori. 
  • Act as a relationships facilitator between regional festival committees and local iwi Māori regarding permission of location to hold festivals/events.  

The third Article of the Treaty constitutes a guarantee of legal equality between Māori and other citizens of New Zealand. This Article has implicit assurance that social rights would be enjoyed equally by Māori with all New Zealand citizens of whatever origin. The principle of equity invites ANZCA to commit to achieving equitable access, pathways and outcomes for Māori within circus arts.

 

ANZCA will;

  • ANZCA commits to actively supporting Māori circus artists and organisations, making time to reach out and help in areas where help is needed.  
  • Trying to facilitate workshop and/or learning opportunities for kura kaupapa Māori. 

 

This Article understands that with two peoples in one country both duality and unity are significant. Duality implies distinctive cultural development and unity implies common purpose and community. The relationship between community and distinctive development is governed by the requirement of cooperation which is an obligation placed on both parties by the Treaty. Reasonable cooperation can only take place if there is consultation on major issues of common concern and if good faith, balance, and common sense are shown on all sides. The outcome of reasonable cooperation will be partnership. The principle of partnership invites ANZCA and iwi Māori to work with each other in a strong and enduring relationship.

 

ANZCA will;

  • Engage in regular discussion with Māori around what are the common areas of concern within circus
  • In all relationships with Māori-lead organisations or groups, ANZCA will listen and be lead in process and methodology

 The principle of protection is about actively protecting Māori knowledge, interests, values, and other taonga. Identity, language, and culture are important expressions of what it means to be a culturally located organisation. In order to practise Active Protection ANZCA should be sufficiently informed in Te Ao Māori, tikanga Māori, Māori performance arts and the practice of cultural safety.

 

ANZCA will;

  • Provide wānanga for core ANZCA steering committee members to learn about Te Ao Māori, specifically in the areas of; 
    • pronunciation of Māori place names
    • tikanga Māori around events, both Māori-led and non-Māori-led
  • Assisting the cultural growth of ANZCA members by; 
    • Ensuring resources are available for members to gain an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, intersectional awareness, Te Ao Māori
  • Should ANZCA become aware of any instance of appropriation of Māori culture by any member of the circus community, we commit to addressing it with that member. 
  • ANZCA commits to practicing and actively promoting best environmental practice and supporting Māori in kaitiakitanga (where relevant to circus practice).

The principle of kōwhiringa acknowledges Māori rights to pursue their own personal direction, whether that be in accordance with tikanga Māori or not. The principle of options expects ANZCA to ensure their services are provided in culturally appropriate manners that recognise and support the expression of Te Ao Māori.

 

ANZCA will;

  • Actively support the Reo Māori renaissance by usage of Te Reo Māori within ANZCA’s practice on our website and on our social media pages
  • Encouraging the use of Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Māori at any ANZCA held meetings, spaces and/or events