Urban Māori launch starts the day at Parliament

Hon Willie Jackson hosts the Urban Māori launch

   

  

WELLINGTON. A breakfast event at Parliament this set a rousing launchpad for Urban Māori, the history of Māori migration and adaptation to the cities written by Bradford Haami.

The Hon Willie Jackson, Minister of Employment and Associate Minister of Māori Development, hosted the event for Te Whānau o Waipareira, which commissioned Oratia to publish the work.

MP Peeni Henare welcomed the telling of this chapter in Māori history

Labour Party Deputy Leader Hon Kelvin Davis was among a host of MPs in attendance (including Minister of Defence Hon Ron Mark, Hon Peeni Henare and Rino Tirakatene of Labour, and National’s Arts and Culture Spokesperson Paul Goldsmith).

Waipareira Chair Ray Hall said the Trust had long felt such a book was needed

Ray Hall, Chair of Te Whānau o Waipareira, and CEO John Tamihere, both paid tribute to the struggles of those who had gone before to establish urban communities as the proportion of Māori living in the cities mushroomed from under 20% before World War to over 90% in the post-war decades.

John Tamihere (left) with Brian Easton, author of the
forthcoming Heke Tangata

Tamihere looked forward to the May release of Heke Tangata, this book’s companion publication – an economic analysis of Māori migration and post-war economic performance by Brian Easton.

Minister Jackson reflected that despite the apparent tensions between iwi and urban identity, most Māori today are at home in both worlds – it is just that resources are not yet equally distributed to the urban communities.

Bradford Haami spoke of his desire to record the real experiences of ordinary whānau, telling the on the ground story of those who moved to the cities in search of work, opportunities and entertainment.

Author Bradford Haami (left) with fellow author and broadcaster Paul Diamond

 Speakers all shared their hope that a new generation of confident, Reo-speaking urban Māori would carry on the work of pioneer leaders like June Mariu, June Jackson and Hoani Waititi.

Oratia is privileged to have been a part of this kaupapa. Our appreciation to John and the team at Te Whānau o Waipareira for making it possible and to Hon Willie Jackson for hosting today's events. 

Thanks also to Brad for his brilliant research and storytelling, and to our editorial squad of Anna Fomison, Carolyn Lagahetau and Frances Chan for seeing the concept into a fine-looking publication. 

Urban Māori is available from all good booksellers.

Urban Māori: The Second Great Migration |  ISBN: 978-0-947506-28-5  |  RRP $39.99

Paperback with flaps, 234 x 153 mm, 304 pages b&w