The return of the Mana Wāhine Inquiry to Te Tai Tokerau is being hailed as a powerful moment for wāhine Māori to reclaim their voices, their status, and their tino rangatiratanga.
Green MP Huhana Lyndon says the hearings at Otiria Marae are more than just a forum – they are a long-overdue platform for Māori women to speak directly to the Crown about generations of inequity.
“This is a vital moment for wāhine Māori to assert their stories and be heard,” Lyndon says.
The Mana Wāhine Inquiry, led by the Waitangi Tribunal, examines how the Crown has failed to uphold the rights and status of wāhine Māori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi — particularly in areas like leadership, wellbeing, and participation in decision-making.
Lyndon says for wāhine in Te Tai Tokerau, the hearings provide an opportunity to bring lived experiences to the forefront – from housing struggles and health inequities, to barriers in employment and community safety.
Many wāhine Māori continue to face systemic exclusion, both within institutions and in leadership spaces, despite their central role in whānau, hapū and iwi.
Lyndon believes restoring the authority of wāhine Māori requires structural change – including greater representation in governance, stronger recognition of tikanga Māori, and meaningful partnership with the Crown.
She says the stories being shared at Otiria Marae reflect not just individual experiences, but collective truths about the challenges Māori women navigate every day.
Looking ahead, Lyndon hopes the inquiry will deliver outcomes that go beyond acknowledgement – securing justice, recognition, and lasting change for future generations.
For Radio Waatea, the Mana Wāhine hearings are a reminder that the pursuit of equity is ongoing – and that the voices of wāhine Māori are central to shaping the future of Aotearoa.
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