Treaty Debates Series 2006 ‘Where to from Here? Looking Back to Move Forward’ - Points of view on the Treaty of Waitangi
Thursday 2 & Thursday 9 February 2006
6.30pm-8pm
Soundings Theatre, Level 2, Te Papa
Free entry
A new series of debates about the Treaty of Waitangi is to be chaired by Dr Claudia Orange, of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and Professor Matthew Palmer, of Victoria University of Wellington. They will consider the theme ‘Where to from here? Looking back to move forward’.
In 2005, a notable contribution to the national debate on the Treaty of Waitangi was the broadcast of a series of debates recorded at Te Papa also about the Treaty’s place in our history and its present meaning.
In the upcoming debates, four speakers will focus on their own experiences to highlight key aspects of the Treaty relationship from different stakeholder viewpoints.
The first debate (Thursday 2 February, 6.30pm, Soundings Theatre, Te Papa) features Joe Williams, Chief Judge and Chairperson of the Waitangi Tribunal, and Sir Geoffrey Palmer, Head of the Law Commission. They will consider the future of the Treaty from Tribunal and political experiences.
The second debate (Thursday 9 February, 6.30pm, Soundings Theatre, Te Papa) features Apirana Mahuika, Chairman of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Porou, and Pat Snedden, an Auckland businessman and consultant, providing iwi and Pākehā perspectives.
The debates are organised by Te Papa in partnership with the New Zealand Centre for Public Law at Victoria University’s Law School. Radio New Zealand will record the series for broadcast later in February ? on National Radio at 4.06pm, Sunday 5 and Sunday 12 February 2006.
This series coincides with TREATY 2 U, a touring exhibition that brings the story of the nation’s founding document to all New Zealanders through a unique nationwide show travelling in a state-of-the-art truck. TREATY 2 U will visit the Te Ra o te Raukura festival at Te Whiti Park, Waiwhetu, Lower Hutt, on Sunday 5 February, and the Festival of the Elements, Te Rauparaha Park, Porirua, on Monday 6 February. This exhibition is free entry.
For further information please contact
Bridget MacDonald, Manager Communications, Te Papa
04 381 7083, 029 601 0180 bridgetm@tepapa.govt.nz