Where to Start? Five Ways Charities Can Begin Their Journey to Being Responsive to Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Leading an NGO, charity, or community group can be quite a challenge, right? It feels like juggling multiple tasks while walking on a tightrope. But amidst the madness, it’s important to pause and think about the bigger picture - like how your organisation is honouring and responding to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in its mahi. That's where I found myself when I stepped up to lead Hui E! Community Aotearoa in 2020. As an organisation, we were committed to reflecting our role in Aotearoa New Zealand, including supporting Te Tiriti o Waitangi in our daily mahi. But the question was: As an NGO leader, how did I make that happen at our day-to-day operational level?

When it comes to putting strategy into action, things can get complicated. There's no playbook for practically implementing a response to Te Tiriti o Waitangi at the operational level. And let me tell you, it can be a consistent swing between scary, frustrating, confusing, exhilarating and enrichening.

At Hui E!, we often had community groups asking us where to start with Te Tiriti which was understandable as it can be difficult to know where to start. We also had government agencies come knocking, wanting us to connect them with Māori for their events or projects. I was saw this as a 'tick box' exercise which didn't receive a positive response from me! That's just not how it works in my world, or in my growing understanding of Te Ao Māori. Relationships are always the starting point.

I had a similar experience at ChangeMakers Resettlement Forum, with people wanting "refugees" for their initiatives. I get that they meant well, but they were seriously ill-informed and needed education. People aren't sitting around waiting for your call, especially those most disadvantaged by our current systems - they're out there, building their lives, those of their whānau and their communities.

So, I bet you're here for the good stuff - the ways to kick-start your own organisational journey. Let's dive in.

Here are five ways charities can start being responsive to Te Tiriti o Waitangi:

1.????? Recognise that Becoming Responsive to Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a Journey

This isn't a quick fix. If you're serious about this, it's going to take time - a lot of it. You'll need to make space for reflection, invest extra time and resources, and be ready to roll up your sleeves for some hard mahi. Everyone in your team will be on their own path in this journey, learning and growing at their own pace. There's no one-size-fits-all solution here. You can learn from other community groups and leaders and have a kōrero with them about their journey, but what worked for them won't necessarily work for you. You've got to be flexible and okay with the uncertainty. And most importantly, you've got to be in it for the long haul.

2.????? Start with Yourselves as Individuals and as a Collective

The journey begins with you. It's both a personal and organisational journey. There are plenty of resources out there to help you get started. As individuals, take the time to learn about your own whakapapa. Where were you born? Where were your parents born? Where did you grow up? Where do you live now? Where is your office located? What's the history of all these places that have shaped your life? You might be surprised by what you discover. Be ready to share your story, the good and the not-so-good. Be open to how it may have impacted those around you. Own your journey.

3.????? Create Space for Tough and Challenging Conversations at a Personal and Organisational Level

At Hui E!, we set aside one hour every couple of weeks for some deep, meaningful conversations. We weren't afraid to challenge each other or to learn from one another. We welcomed different perspectives, lived experiences, and personal struggles. For that, we needed to create a safe space.

We initially used pātai / questions from the Treaty Resource Centre – He Puna Mātauranga o Te Tiriti to guide our kōrero. These questions got us thinking about how our organisation came to be, where we were at now, where we wanted to go, who we represented, and whether they saw themselves reflected in what we did through our services, website, social media, publications, our use of language. Or were we just kidding ourselves, thinking we were serving our communities and stakeholders, when they didn't see themselves in what we put out there? As we grew and more kaimahi joined us, our discussions evolved, and we were open to that. Some wanted more structure, measurable changes, evidence of real progress, and a clear path forward so we adapted.

4.????? As You Make Discoveries, Start Implementing Small Changes

Don't underestimate the power of starting small. Boards often love big, shiny changes that look good on paper and in annual reports. But that's not how real change happens. It's gradual, and it requires hearts and minds to shift. Small and medium NGOs often don't have the budget for big moves (hey, even the big NGOs probably don't!).

It can be tempting to hire a Māori consultant to kick things off, but chances are, your kaimahi won't be ready to make the most of that investment. As Pākehā, it's up to us to learn about Te Tiriti o Waitangi, to do the mahi, the thinking, the research, the learning. You can start by making small changes to your external stuff - your website, social media, publications, presentations, design, and so on. I'll share more about this in another blog soon.

5.????? Be Courageous and Open to Correction

Stepping into new territory can be scary. It feels risky and uncertain. But sit with that discomfort and take courage in the journey your organisation and kaimahi are on. Don't second-guess the changes you're making but be ready to be corrected and open to that. You won't always get it right. Sure, you'll probably stumble and say the wrong thing. But own up to your mistakes, apologise if needed, and make a correction. And get ready for some pushback (there's always going be a few who aren't happy with what you're doing). Don't let the naysayers sway you from your path. Just keep rolling with it.

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So, there you have it - a sneak peek into how to get started being responsive to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It's a journey of self-discovery, growth, and evolution. It won't be easy, but it will be worth it.

Keen to get started embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi in your organisation?

·??????? Check out Jen Margaret’s webinar - Treaty Voyages: How’s Your Organisation Faring?

·??????? Visit Groundwork for helpful resources supporting organisations and individuals to embed Te Tiriti honouring in daily action. They include books, podcasts, webinars and activities specifically targetted to community groups.

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