Launch of Book: Maori peoples of New Zealand – Nga Iwi o Aotearoa

E nga mana, e nga reo, nga iwi o te motu, tena koutou katoa.

Kei te harikoa e au, ki te whakarewatia tenei pukapuka motuhake; Nga iwi o Aotearoa.

I am very pleased to be here with you as Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage on this culturally significant occasion, the launch of a very special and unique publication: `Mâori Peoples of New Zealand-Nga Iwi o Aotearoa.

A celebration of which this publication, I believe, is the first if it's kind to bring together a record of Iwi stories in one 'bold' collection. I say bold because I am in no doubt that there are probably as many people questioning the stories in this publication, soliciting their own oral versions, as there are supporters. Well all I can say is, and I have read a number of the stories, especially those pertaining to my own whakapapa, Maniapoto, Te Atiawa, Taranaki, and Nga Rauru Kitahi, and while there are things which I may have a different view on, I will hold my tongue lest I am asked – well where’s your book ?

I bring both the good wishes and apologies all in one kete, from the Prime Minister, who is the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, who unfortunately cannot be here with us, but would like to endorse the significance of the launch this evening. … I want to also acknowledge my parliament colleagues …

Let me now take a moment to reflect on what this book may actually mean, not only to Maori but also, significantly to the rest of Aotearoa.

There are a number out there who still need convincing that stories like these are not only important and hold a special place in our history, but - and here’s the important part – they are stories and histories that belong to, and are a part of, all of us. These are not only vibrant Maori or Iwi stories; they are vibrant factual, real Maori and Iwi stories that are a part of our history, part of our hikoi.

Ladies and gentleman, when the Prime Minister mentioned this project to me as part of government’s continued investment in looking to our past to inform the choices we will make for our future, I was somewhat curious but also hopeful. That curiosity however has been transformed to one of amazement. Let me share some statistics with you.

From the time of the Te Ara launch last year in February, to August this year – that's 18 months - the online encyclopaedia of New Zealand had one and a half million visitors. Each month there is on average a massive 40gb (giga bytes) of material downloaded from the site. – Yeah you’re right someone is getting it on the cheap! But hey they wont be getting it in a nice volume like this.

I am also advised that last month in September there were 90 000 visitors to the site, and in October there were between 95 and 100 000 visitors.

As a member of a government which has put together a comprehensive digital strategy, and which is committed to effectively utilising new technologies, I assure you, all of this is very satisfying.

Ladies and gentleman, many of you will already know that there are many aspects, many parts to the online encyclopaedia. Recently in June we launched the 'Earth, Sea and Sky' theme, which brought to the Te Ara audience an enormous amount of information relating to the natural environment. And that’s great.

I am sure though that you can tell by now that the heart of Te Ara for me at this stage lies in the sections on our people: the Mâori and Pakeha New Zealanders, and the stories that describe how we came and settled here. Like many of you, I continue to be drawn to this section, especially to the entries which also describe Pacific migrations, ideas of Mâori origins, and canoe navigation and traditions, amongst a great deal of other fascinating information.

This beautifully designed and produced book we're launching today is a unique publication: The book is an elegant, eloquent and highly readable publication. Everything that has been done to make this material accessible on the web has been replicated in the book, so that it maintains the 'look' and clarity of the Te Ara website.

Let us now reflect briefly on the origin of these stories and perhaps make a few comments in that regard.

I have had the privilege, as associate Minister to be present at various other launches linked to the Te Ara online encyclopaedia; and in doing so I want to add my personal congratulations to the Ministry for Culture and Heritage for another job well done. To Ranginui and his advisory group, I want to reiterate the point that bringing Maori kaupapa together under Maori scrutiny continues to be a challenge for us all – and to be sure Pakeha scrutiny is not too far away as well. Kia tupato ma tatou tonu e whakaiti i a tatou .

I want to also mention Rangi McGarvey for his leadership with translating all the Maori entries into te reo, and thus producing valuable resources that, I am told, are being used by Maori language groups around the Motu.

In a similar vein, I want to acknowledge Jock Phillips … and his team of experts – for their expertise. Kia ora Jock.

And I want to close by thanking and congratulating Tracey Borgfeldt from the publishers: David Bateman, and everyone else involved with the project. Our thanks also to Te Papa, Seddon, Te Taru, Ngai Tahu, Hema, for hosting this launch. This wonderful book is destined to be highly treasured by its readers; and it will be a fine complement to the website, even for the technologically savvy.

I am proud to now launch Mâori Peoples of New Zealand Nga Iwi O Aoteaora. May this book help all the peoples of New Zealand, Mâori and non-Mâori, better understand the country we live in.

No reira, mai tenei pukapuka, kia mohio ai Mâori ma, pakeha ma, me te hononga i waenganui i a tatou katoa.

Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa