By NICF (Iwi Leaders), CTU Rūnanga and CTU
He rā ki te whakamana i a tātou – A day to affirm and uplift ourselves.
On Tuesday 28 October 2025, Māori workers, iwi leaders, union members and Tangata Tiriti allies will come together in a national day of cultural affirmation and collective expression: Rā Whakamana. This kaupapa coincides with the 190th anniversary of He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni (1835 Declaration of Independence), and will be marked not through strike or protest, but through tikanga-led action that centres Māori wellbeing, cultural identity, and mana motuhake throughout the motu.
MOBILISING AGAINST ANTI-MĀORI ROLL-BACKS
Rā Whakamana responds directly to the intensifying political, legal, and cultural attacks on Māori being driven by the current coalition government. Legislative rollbacks, the erosion of te reo Māori, and the removal of Te Tiriti obligations are not just political manoeuvres – they are assaults on Māori workers’ cultural safety, mental health, and sense of belonging. Recent research shows over 90% of Māori workers report workplace discrimination, with clear links to heightened stress, anxiety, and depression. The erosion of cultural safety is not symbolic, it’s a direct threat to Māori mental health.
This initiative affirms that hauora, dignity and mana motuhake are essential elements of workplace health and safety, as recognised under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. For Māori, wellbeing is holistic and it encompasses wairua (spirituality), tikanga (values), and the recognition of cultural identity, not merely physical safety.
A TIKANGA-BASED STAND
Rather than a withdrawal of labour, Rā Whakamana is a lawful, tikanga-based stand, anchored in health and safety provisions, that creates space for Māori workers to reflect, wānanga, mourn losses, and celebrate identity in ways that restore collective strength. The day draws constitutional weight from He Whakaputanga, the first formal assertion of Māori independence and sovereign authority. By mobilising this day, Māori are stating clearly: we are not disposable labour or cultural symbolism, we are tangata whenua, with enduring political status and rights.
The kaupapa also places the contributions and leadership of wāhine Māori at the centre. Their unpaid and underpaid work sustains not only whānau but also the wider economy and union movement. The removal of pay equity claims has disproportionately harmed wāhine Māori in sectors like care, education, health, and housing – areas already facing immense stress. Denying their economic value is not only unjust, it poses a threat to the collective wellbeing and long-term stability of our communities.
Rā Whakamana is more than symbolic – it is a call to action. It invites unions, employers and workplaces to support tikanga-aligned practices: karakia, reo Māori, wānanga, cultural dress, and intentional reflection. It is a genuine invitation to engage in partnership with iwi, hapū and Māori collectives. The legal framework exists. The workforce power is undeniable. The cultural imperative is urgent. Māori workers have always led from the front, whether in the freezing works, forestry, healthcare or logistics. This day honours that legacy and channels it into a future grounded in tino rangatiratanga, equity and cultural safety.
WHAT'S GOOD FOR MĀORI IS GOOD FOR ALL WORKERS
We recognise that each rohe has its own unique histories, tikanga, and relationships. Rā Whakamana is not a centrally prescribed campaign, it is a kaupapa to be shaped regionally, in partnership with iwi, union delegates, workers, and community leaders. We are committed to working with parties in each region to co-create activities that reflect local priorities, stories, and expressions of mana motuhake.
What is good for Māori is good for all workers, across all cultures. When Māori rights, voices and values are upheld in the workplace, all workers benefit from stronger protections, deeper solidarity, and a more just and inclusive union movement.
This is not just a one-day stand. It is part of an ongoing movement to embed Māori values and authority in our workplaces, unions, and broader systems of decision-making.
CTU Runanga, Māori workers and NCIF support Rā Whakamana, to build a partnership that unifies the National Affiliates Council (NAC) and National Council of Iwi Federation (NCIF) to fight back against the government attacks on Māori workers and our communtities.
“Together, we are not just resisting – we are creating a future where tino rangatiratanga is real for everyone.”
Nō reira, e te iwi – Tū mai. Karawhiua. Rā Whakamana is our stand.
We will share updates on social media about Rā Whakamana events taking place across the motu on 28 October 2025.
