Penny Wong claims Australia has ‘much to learn’ from New Zealand to improve Indigenous perspective

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia has “much to learn” from New Zealand and urged our nation to work to incorporate indigenous perspectives into international politics in a similar way to Kiwis.

Senator Wong met New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta for the biannual Foreign Ministers’ Consultations in Canberra on Friday, following their first talks earlier this year in Wellington.

Ministers discussed citizenship and voting rights for New Zealanders in Australia, climate change, security in the Asia-Pacific region and brainstormed ways to enhance First Nations and Maori voices in foreign policy.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong (left) met New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta (right) for the biannual Foreign Ministers’ Consultations in Canberra and exchanged ideas on how to raise the voice of First Nations and Maori in international politics.

In an Instagram post on Saturday, Ms Wong said Australia had “a lot to learn” when it came to how indigenous voices of Aotearoa, the Maori name for New Zealand, are accepted.

“I value the friendship and wisdom of Nanaia Mahuta, and welcome our Foreign Ministers’ Consultations,” Ms. Wong wrote.

‘New Zealand is family to Australia and an indispensable partner. We have much to learn from Aotearoa New Zealand as we work to integrate First Nations perspectives into our foreign policy.”

Ministers exchanged perspectives on raising First Nations and Maori voices in foreign policy and agreed that it was an area of ​​substantial national importance to both countries.

They agreed to continue working together to foster indigenous collaboration in Tasmania and in the region.

Both countries will focus on promoting the indigenous voice through the Indigenous Collaboration Agreement and the Agreement on Economic and Commercial Cooperation of Indigenous Peoples.

In a similar post on Saturday, Minister Nanaia Mahuta described the discussions as “productive” and said the two countries had forged a close relationship based on shared values.

“A warm and productive series of discussions…we share perspectives on Pacific, Indo-Pacific resilience, indigenous cooperation, climate change and opportunities for stronger collaboration,” Ms. Mahuta wrote.

‘2023 will be an opportunity to recognize 40 years of closer economic relations, 50 years of travel across Tasmania and 80 years since opening a diplomatic post – a close relationship forged from shared values.’

Senator Wong said Australia had “a lot to learn” from New Zealand (Pictured Ms Wong and Ms Mahuta at a smoke ceremony)

The Hon. Ms. Mahuta described the discussions as ‘productive’ as the two countries share a close relationship forged by shared values.

Ms Wong’s comment comes after New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern apologized to the Ngati Maniapoto tribe for “horrible and unnecessary acts of war” by previous governments.

The Crown’s ‘long overdue’ apology on Sunday was addressed to the Maori tribe for warmongering and nearly two centuries of breaches of New Zealand’s Waitangi Treaty.

Ms Ardern traveled to the King Country settlement of Te Kuiti to issue the apology, the first she has delivered in person as part of the treaty settlement and reconciliation efforts.

After 30 years of negotiations with the Ngati Maniapoto tribe, the government agreed to a NZ$165 million (A$155 million) financial and trade reparation and the return of 36 culturally significant sites to Maori.

“This is a momentous occasion for both Maniapoto and the Crown and marks the beginning of a renewed relationship,” said Ms Ardern.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (right) delivered a Crown apology to the Maniapoto at the Tokanganui-a-noho marae in Te Kuiti, which completed the final milestone in their historic Treaty of Waitangi settlement process.

Ardern read the formal apology in English and Maori at the ceremony attended by 3,000 people.

“The Crown deeply regrets your horrible and unnecessary acts of war and raupatu (land confiscation) that have caused you and your hapu (tribe) intergenerational suffering,” said Ms Ardern.

‘Instead of respecting his mana whakahaere (authority), the Crown murdered and injured his people and looted their lands and property.’

The historical irregularities date back to the mid-19th century, when New Zealand’s colonial government fought with and alongside the Maori over land.