Te Pāti Māori wishes to acknowledge and celebrate our tuakana in Rarotonga today as they mark 60 years of self-government, a powerful milestone in their ongoing assertion of mana motuhake.
We state unequivocally: we support Rarotonga’s right to self-governance, their autonomy to lead themselves, and their commitment to shaping their own future while maintaining their whakapapa-based connection with Aotearoa.
“Our relationship with Rarotonga transcends politics” said Te Pāti Māori co leaders, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, and Rawiri Waititi.
“We are bound by whakapapa, a shared history carved across ocean waves, carried by our tīpuna who navigated the seas to unite our peoples.”
Today, the Cook Islands is not only a sovereign nation upholding its own mana motuhake, it is a vital part of Aotearoa’s economy and the wider Pacific diaspora. Our whakapapa, our labour, and our futures are deeply entwined. We share Prime Minister Brown’s belief that our relationship is a living one, grounded in centuries old ancestral connection, stronger than any government.
We stand in admiration of Rarotonga’s determination to uphold their identity and sovereignty. Their unapologetic pursuit of self-governance is a testament to their strength and a powerful reminder of what is possible when Indigenous peoples are free to chart their own course.
“We have much to learn from our Cook Islands whanau” the co-leaders added.
“Their journey reinforces our own commitment to mana motuhake here in Aotearoa, to a future where Maori lead ourselves, make decisions for ourselves, and stand in full expression of who we are.”
Te Pāti Māori proudly celebrates the people of Rarotonga today, past, present, and future, who have never wavered in their mission to remain true to themselves.