Traditional Knowledge and the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership
Last Monday (3 Dec 2012), thanks to Prof Jane Kelsey, I had the opportunity to present some ideas on mātauranga Māori/indigenous knowledge to negotiators who were meeting all this week in Auckland to negotiate the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership. It was a very brief opportunity which took place at Waipapa Marae, University of Auckland. Here are some of the things I said: Our vision is for the indigenous dimension of New Zealand society to be positive, dynamic, creative force in our nation’s life, economy and culture, something that all New Zealand can be proud of. We seek to turn colonisation and its deleterious effects on its head. The contribution of indigenous peoples is not merely to gain participation in existing arrangements in New Zealand society , but also to bring distinctive aspects and creativity to our nation, to improve it according to indigenous vision, experience and action We remain concerned with matters of social justice – we are alert