The State of Māori Rights

was first published in 2011 and brought together a Māori view of events and issues that occurred between 1994 and 2009 with a direct impact on Māori. This includes the 1994 fiscal envelope policy debate, the 50,000-strong protest march against the foreshore and seabed legislation, the Waitangi Tribunal and its Treaty claims process, and media attacks on Māori MPs.

This edition, revised and updated with new chapters, brings Margaret Mutu’s through to 2024, a time when Māori rights under the Treaty of Waitangi are once again being violated. Mutu covers Māori responses to COVID-19 and to national disasters such as the White Island eruption and the Christchurch Mosque Attacks on the Muslim community.

Māori initiatives and success stories run through these years too, which, in Mutu’s words, ‘encourage us not to lose sight of our ancestors’ vision’.

Margaret Mutu (Ngāti Kahu, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Whātua) is the Professor of Māori Studies at the University of Auckland. She holds a BSc in mathematics, an MPhil in Māori Studies, a Diploma of Teaching and a PhD in Māori Studies specialising in Linguistics. Margaret is a mandated representative of Ngāti Kahu nationally and internationally at the United Nations Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues.

Professor Margaret Mutu, Te Whānau Moana hapū, is the claimant for Te Whānau Moana hapū’s claim (Wai 117) and the Rating of Māori Land claim (Wai284), chairperson of Te Rūnanga-ā-Iwi o Ngāti Kahu, chairperson and delegate for Karikari marae, chairperson of Kāpehu marae in the Northern Wairoa and Ngāti Kahu’s head researcher and lead negotiator for their Tiriti o Waitangi claims against the Crown.

Margaret has published two other books, and is frequently called on by national and international media to provide information and expert commentary. Margaret is currently the Professor of Māori Studies at the University of Auckland.