Tino Rangatiratanga: Māori Self Determination

Although there is no single meaning oftino rangatiratanga, self determination is the most frequently used English equivalent. Even then a variety ofmeanings can be assumed. Two particular aspects oftino rangatiratanga, however, are relevant to contemporaryMaori society: mana whenua and mana tangata. The first acknowledges the rights ofhapii and iwi in respect oftheir own tribal affairs while the second recognises the right of Maori people generally to organise according to a range ofsocial and political groupings. Tino rangatiratanga is essentially about Maori policy being developed by Maori and Maori assuming responsibility for Maori affairs at tribal and national levels. But the absence of a national Maori bodypolitic which can bring together all elements is a barrier to the realisation of tino rangatiratanga. There is in fact aconsiderable enthusiasm for a representative policy-making body and a number of models exist. Discussion about the relative advantages is needed so that a consensus about the most useful approach can emerge. Negotiation with the Govemmentto reconsiderNew Zealand's constitutional arrangements will then be able to occur on the basis ofa unifiedMaori approach. In that debate the appropriateness of the dogma of unitary Crown sovereignty in apost-colonial environment will almost certainly be challenged.