While on stage at the NZTV Awards 2023, 'Once Were Warriors' actress Rena Owen gave a powerful nod to her tupuna, Te Ruki Kawiti, who signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi back in 1840.
In a clip posted by Aukaha News, Rena started her speech by backing the Toitū Te Tiriti movement that took place all over the motu yesterday.
“My parents are Pākēha and Māori, and I’m proud of that. I love my parents,” Rena began her speech.
She continued: “But today I want to acknowledge the rangatira I descend from, he was one of the last chiefs to actively engage in battle in the North. Ngāti Hine, Te Ruki Kawiti.
“He was one of the first to sign the Treaty of Waitangi because, in his words, he said: ‘By the time the moth has eaten this cloth, it’s when our people will need it the most’,” Rena added.
“So, I’m just here to say Te Tiriti o Waitangi, hold strong. Toitū Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”
Parliament kicked back in action this week, marking the new government's chance to lay out their plans and face off with the fresh opposition.
In prep for this, Te Pāti Māori rallied supporters for a protest day on Tuesday.
News outlets both in NZ and worldwide have been keeping tabs on the protests, which are pushing back against the government's stance on topics like co-governance and the Treaty of Waitangi.
“We will not accept being second-rate citizens and being relegated backwards by this government,” Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer told the Guardian.
“Our people are extremely concerned with this government, with repealing this kaupapa [policy] that has benefited Māori,” she added.
Rena joined other winners who added te reo Māori to their speeches at the awards on Tuesday night.
