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February 07, 2026
#waitangi2026: Hapū and Iwi Sound Alarm Over Government “Divide and Rule” Agenda
Matthew Tukaki
Posted On February 7, 2026
Leaders from Māori hapū and iwi have issued a strong warning against what they describe as a “divide and rule” approach by the government, arguing that recent policy moves risk undermining Māori unity and weakening long-standing Treaty rights.
The statement, released this week, reflects growing frustration among Māori leadership over what they see as a series of legislative and political actions that target Māori political and social cohesion rather than strengthening genuine partnership with the Crown.
Hapū and iwi representatives are accusing the government of advancing policies that subtly aim to fragment Māori collective power and reduce Treaty influence in decision-making processes.
Their statement suggests that rather than engaging in meaningful co-design or partnership, some government initiatives are structured in ways that create fragmentation within Māori communities – a tactic they argue effectively diminishes Māori voices in national policy discussions.
The groups describe this as a “divide and rule extinguishment agenda,” asserting that certain policies appear designed to isolate influential Māori leaders and dilute the collective power of hapū and iwi.
Among the key concerns raised is the perception that the government is sidestepping collective Māori authority by fostering divisions that elevate individual leadership at the expense of hapū- and iwi-centric governance.
Māori leaders argue this approach contradicts the foundational principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi – partnership, protection and participation – and limits meaningful engagement on issues that affect Māori communities.
They say the result could be weakened Treaty protections and diminished cultural authority in areas such as resource management, education, health, and constitutional reform.
The statement underscores that Māori collective decision-making structures – grounded in tikanga and whakapapa – cannot be replaced by ad-hoc engagement or individualised consultation if the nation is to honour its commitments to the Treaty.
The government has not publicly acknowledged the “divide and rule” allegation, although ministers have continued to emphasise a commitment to advancing Māori wellbeing through targeted policy initiatives.
Supporters of current reforms argue that evolving governance models can broaden Māori engagement without dismantling collective frameworks. However, critics say this misses the deeper point about unity and the strength of collective Māori leadership when facing national challenges.
Hapū and iwi leaders stressed that collective Māori voice and strategic unity are essential for navigating contemporary policy terrain – particularly when issues such as climate change response, natural resource governance, health inequities, housing access, and economic development demand coordinated advocacy and cultural coherence.
Their statement insists that true partnership with the Crown must respect mātauranga Māori, tikanga Māori, and hapū- and iwi-based decision-making systems, rather than restructuring engagement in a way that privileges division.
Moving Forward
As political debate continues in Aotearoa, the concerns voiced by hapū and iwi highlight an ongoing tension between traditional collective Māori authority and contemporary governance models proposed by the state.
Whether the government will respond substantively to these warnings remains uncertain. But for Māori leaders, the message is clear: unity and recognition of collective mana are not negotiable, and any attempt to fragment Māori authority will be met with resistance.
The coming months are likely to see further discussion and potentially more formal responses from Māori leadership groups as they advocate for treaty-based partnership and resist what they describe as attempts to undermine collective Māori voice.
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