Exploring Honourable Kāwanatanga and Constitutional Transformation with Dr Heather Came and Grant Berghan

As 2024 draws to a close, we are so excited to share that our final He Aka Hui of the year, will feature the incredible Dr Heather Came and Grant Berghan in Holding the Line: Leaning into te Tiriti o Waitangi in Toxic Times. This kōrero arrives at a time of profound significance, as recent political developments place Māori rights and progressive public services under threat. In a climate that demands both resilience and critical action, Heather and Grant will discuss the essential role of self and collective care, and offer strategies for sustaining the fight for equity, justice, and the mana of te Tiriti.

Heather and Grant bring decades of experience as influential advocates and leaders for Māori development and antiracism. Both are known for their enduring dedication to dismantling systemic racism and challenging policies that undermine Māori rights. Heather’s journey as activist-scholar spans research on te Tiriti, antiracism, and critical policy analysis. She co-chairs STIR (Stop Institutional Racism), has presented expert evidence before the Waitangi Tribunal, and is a respected voice at international human rights forums. Notably, Heather co-founded the Decol 2020 virtual series for anti-racism advocacy, and her lifetime contributions to public health and racial justice earned her the Kāhui Hauora Tūmatanui Public Health Champion Award and the honour of being made a Member of the Order of New Zealand.

Grant’s career has focused on advancing Māori development and health equity. He is a leader in Māori public health and workforce initiatives, having held pivotal roles such as the public health lead at Te Aka Whai Ora and CEO of the Public Health Association of New Zealand. Grant’s extensive experience also spans regional economic development, where he has worked to ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities for Māori communities. A lifelong advocate, he is a Life Member of STIR and has been recognised with the PHANZ Public Health Champion Award. His voice and expertise have been invaluable in shaping policy on youth suicide, Māori mental health, and workforce development, consistently championing the needs and aspirations of Māori communities.

Together, Heather and Grant’s kōrero will invite us to consider how we can lean into principles during challenging times. They will examine not only the critical work of resisting systemic oppression but also the need for “busy” work—writing submissions, petitions, and raising awareness. Beyond activism, their kōrero emphasises the importance of reflection and imagination, building towards a future where values are deeply embedded in the fabric of Aotearoa.

A highlight of this kōrero will be Dr. Heather and Grant’s latest project—a Royal Society Marsden study (in partnership with Clive Aspin) that delves into Honourable Kāwanatanga. This research is an integral part of the broader vision of constitutional transformation in Aotearoa and lays groundwork towards Matike Mai’s aspirations for a Tiriti-centric constitutional framework. Through their discussion, Heather and Grant will provide invaluable insights for communities committed to the cause of equity, offering a blueprint for navigating and shaping an Aotearoa where justice, self-determination, and collective wellbeing can thrive.

Join us for this final He Aka Hui of the year as we explore the resilience required to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and take this opportunity to draw strength, inspiration, and vision from Heather and Grant’s work. Register here.