Introducing Ōhanga Rearea

Tēnā koe, and welcome.

I am proud to present here a a co-designed, and indigenous-centred approach to takatāpui and rainbow advocacy: the Ōhanga Rearea Framework.

There have undoubtedly been strides in LGBTQIA+ rights within our nation over recent decades. And many groups and organisations, inspired by work overseas, have brought takatāpui and rainbow advocacy to the forefront in New Zealand. From pride to progress flags, we have been undergoing a queer revolution.

But with this has come with other challenges. Of corporate pinkwashing - LGBTQIA+ commercialisation and the tokenisation of queer identities. Further, and particularly for our takatāpui peoples, some of us have found that rainbow kaupapa require more support in how they engage with Te Tiriti, intersectionality, and the more complicated aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This organisational framework was developed over many years of engagement, refinement, and relationship-building with takatāpui and rainbow people across Aotearoa. Its purpose is to provide structure, support, and guidance to individuals, groups, and organisations, on a journey to whakamana - to empower our takatāpui and rainbow communities. Each stage of this journey has been identified, prioritised, and rightfully reindiginised.

Inspired by the journey of the small green rearea bird (also known as the korimako), this framework enables takatāpui and rainbow inclusion in a meaningful way. It presents five essential growth pathways, and provides various tools and resources for the categorisation and development of initiatives at both a strategic and operational level within various contexts.

It is, in sum, the perspectives and aspirations of countless takatāpui and rainbow people - told through the journey of one of our smallest birds in Aotearoa, the rearea.

And it is a journey. For we exist within the context of Aotearoa, and are obliged to serve the diverse needs of our communities, and our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We must then harness indigenous knowledge and practices that extend throughout time and space. As such, our approach to rainbow and takatāpui community development must be contextualised.

As a free resource, it is my gift to you to use how you can. And in its gifting I only hope it can provide some semblance of structure it has given me in my work on behalf of our people. So now - read on ahead, and join the flight of the rearea.

Connor McLeod (he/they) - Rangitāne o Wairau.

Director, Uenuku Consulting.

Kaupapa

The purpose of this Framework.

Whakakotahitanga | To Unite

Foster both individual responsibility and collective action for all staff.

Whakamana | To Empower

Recognise, respect, and enhance the mana of rainbow and takatāpui communities.

Whakahaere | To Organise

Provide guidance, structure, and support on rainbow and takatāpui incluson.

Whakataki | To Lead

Achieve strategic aspirations around equity, diversity, inclusion, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Mātāpono

The principles of this Framework.

Community-Led

Nobody knows your people and organizational culture better than your own people.

All initiatives that stem from this framework are centered around the aspirations, experiences, and expertise of rainbow and takatāpui communities.

Evidence-Based

Creating a healthier and stronger culture for rainbow and takatāpui people benefits everyone.

Ōhanga Rearea was developed through years of collaboration via interviews, focus groups, wānanga, and talanoa with communities and experts across Aotearoa to enact change that is meaningful, organised, and with long-term syetemic outcomes.

Tiriti-Led

When we commit to Te Tiriti, we commit to Māori. That means all Māori - meaning we need to commit to the specific needs and aspirations of our takatāpui peoples.

The enactment and embodiment of this framework is interwoven with other kaupapa working to deepen our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It is designed to be complementary to other kaupapa Māori initiatives.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

And its applications to this Framework.

Being Tiriti-led, means being Takatāpui-led.

Already committed to Te Tiriti? Ka rawe! That’s awesome.

But has your organisation considered how Te Tiriti explicitly relates to Takatāpui?

When we commit to Te Tiriti, we commit to Māori - and that means all Māori. We must consider the unique challenges, experiences, and perspectives of our takatāpui whānau in order to truly be so bold as to call ourselves committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Learn more about how each of the articles relate explicitly to takatāpui people within your organisation.

  • Article One:

    good partnership, governance

    We acknowledge the necessity of takatāpui inclusion within our decision-making processes

    Ōhanga Rearea:

    the miro berry - mātauranga | knowledge

    Learning from takatāpui, and embedding systems that include takatāpui allows us to realise this.

  • Article Two

    Māori autonomy, self-determination

    We acknowledge, respect, and enhance the mana and agency of takatāpui communities.

    Ōhanga Rearea:

    the rearea - whakamanatanga | empowerment

    Tino rangatiratanga is the ultimate goal of this framework.

  • Article two

    active protection

    We support and celebrate the identities and stories of Takatāpui.

    Ōhanga Rearea:

    ōhanga rearea | the nest - whanaungatanga | community

    The ōhanga is more than just a structure to the rearea. It is a statement to the world: I have always been here, and always will be.

  • Article Three

    equity, participation, access

    We ensure that our services are designed and delivered alongside takatāpui.


    Ōhanga Rearea:

    the kahikatea tree - tikanga | structure

    When decisions that impact takatāpui people are made, there are processes in place to include takatāpui perspectives.

  • Article Four

    religious and spiritual beliefs

    We promote and protect the expression of takatāpuitanga.


    Ōhanga Rearea:

    the clutch - whakapapa | health and sustainability

    We take care of the health and wellbeing of our takatāpui whānau - both now, and well into the future.