Tūhoe leader, artist and activist Tame Iti
has set up an exhibition outside the iwi headquarters
Te Uru Taumatua in Tāneatua today.
The exhibition is called, "Chair", using art to send a message
to the iwi chair to reconsider some decisions
that he says have been falling on deaf ears.
Te Okiwa Mclean with more.
Making a public statement in silence.
This chair,
the one who is in charge.
That’s part of the reason why we're protesting.
We are talking to the chair of the tribe.
Tame Iti has united these descendants of Tūhoe
to participate in his art exhibition
called 'Chair'.
What we’ll do is we’ll bring our chairs here
and face them in that direction.
These chairs will be occupied
by those opposing the leadership of Te Uru Taumatua.
So, I’ve come here to speak to the chair, to speak to the whare.
I didn’t come to speak to Tamati?
I’ve brought the chair and set it down over there.
I’m speaking directly to the chair.
Perhaps that’s the bigger picture of this exhibition.
The many facets of the word “chair”.
There are a high number Tūhoe kaumātua on site.
Looking back at the ’70s.
That’s the example laid out by our ancestors.
That our 70 kaumātua and Tūhoe leaders
still have a voice.
That they can carry out their tribal responsibilities.
In weeks leading up to today’s event Tame collected 70 chairs
for this exhibition,
but he says someone stole them overnight.
I went there this morning to get the chairs and they were gone.
Someone had stolen the chairs.
That’s another story, that’s a sign.
Meanwhile inside the multimillion-dollar building,
members of the Rūātoki Tribal Te Komiti o Runa
celebrating a river clean-up project.
I acknowledge all of you
who have come to support the kaupapa.
Behind me are the hard workers
who are outworking the dreams and aspirations of this tribunal.
So that the people and the land will flourish.
For the last 15 years I’ve worked on the Hinematarau River
collecting rubbish here and there.
I didn’t brag.
It doesn’t cost anything.
But now, they think that they can push us to the side.
They’ve hardly done anything.
These issues certainly did not arise yesterday
with the PGF’s funding debate
but go back to iwi grievances and fallouts
many moons ago.
What is the root of the issue
between you and those sitting outside
on the hill?
The money.
The Government's money, the PGF.
The question is what is the strategy for both parties
to move forward collectively?
In the Bible it says
to listen to the instructions of your father,
and don’t forsake your mother’s law.
What that means is that you shouldn’t disrespect your elders.
In our days,
we did what the old people said.
It would end all debate.
I’m not sure what that is.
This contingent says
they will continue to protest wherever and whenever.
Furthermore,
the legal requirements have been met for a new election to be held
to elect people onto the iwi entity.
Te Okiwa Mclean, Te Karere.