Ātea

Design: The Spinoff

The Māori economy is more diverse and wealthier than ever

Once dominated by agriculture, forestry and fishing, the Māori economy is diversifying.

By Liam Rātana | 18th March, 2025

A woman speaking at a podium with a surprised expression. Four speech bubbles with question marks and exclamation points surround her. The background is a gradient blue with polka dots. The image is in black and white.

Lost in translation: The real cost of a ‘knowledge-rich’ curriculum

Is it about education, or erasing inconvenient truths?

By Vincent Olsen-Reeder | 13th March, 2025

Iwi investors enter infrastructure summit with ‘eyes wide open’

Will Māori investors be treated as genuine investment partners, or simply stakeholders with interests to be managed?

By Liam Rātana | 13th March, 2025

What’s behind the Whānau Ora overhaul?

The first changes in over a decade have created uncertainty for 600 kaimahi – what happens next?

By Gabrielle Baker | 11th March, 2025

End of the Valley is unlike anything on television

Whakaata Māori’s new drama is dark, twisted, and full of surprises.

By Liam Rātana | 7th March, 2025

Design: Liam Rātana

Who is Matua Kahurangi and does it matter if he’s fake?

A search for the person behind a social media account ridiculing Māori.

By Liam Rātana | 17th February, 2025

Taranaki maunga (Image design: Tina Tiller)

Legal personhood for Taranaki: transformative or tokenistic?

While legal recognition of the maunga is vital in the short term, true environmental justice will require more work.

By Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn | 17th February, 2025

Chris Luxon and David Seymour. (Design: Liam Rātana)

The opportunity for penance in privatisation

Could iwi and hapū be the unexpected solution to the government’s asset dilemma?

By Holly Bennett | 12th February, 2025

Image: The Spinoff/Te Aihe Butler

The freshest fits from the Treaty Grounds on Waitangi Day

Is there any place more stylish than Northland?

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 8th February, 2025

Politics reporter

Submitters Sara Cole Stratton, students from Newlands College and Riki Welsh, and acting Justice Committee chair Duncan Webb (Image: The Spinoff)

Treaty principles bill hearings, day three: The Justice Committee works from home

Everything you missed from the third day of the Treaty principles bill hearings.

By Joel MacManus | 7th February, 2025

Wellington editor

Waitangi 2025: A day of kōrero, kaupapa and kotahitanga

Waitangi 2025: A day of kōrero, kaupapa and kotahitanga

One belief was virtually universal within the Waitangi forum tents: existing as Māori is inherently political.

By Liam Rātana

& Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 7th February, 2025

Politics reporter

Paul Goldsmith is keen to get a deal signed off with Ngāpuhi. (Design: Liam Rātana)

Ngāpuhi settlement stalemate: Why is the Crown funding an entity with no mandate?

A Crown-appointed Ngāpuhi entity has received more than $150m in pre-settlement funding. What's going on?

By Liam Rātana | 6th February, 2025

The reception will be remembered, but David Seymour’s speech mostly faded into a chorus of ‘Mana Motuhake’.

David Seymour and the half-heard speech

A hijacked speech confirmed what was already assumed: that the distance between Seymour and Māori has never been greater.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 6th February, 2025

Politics reporter

Live updates from Waitangi: Day of political tension ends

Live updates from Waitangi: Day of political tension ends

All the news from Waitangi as it happens.

By The Spinoff | 5th February, 2025

Kuīni Ngawai hono i te po (Design: Liam Rātana)

What does the future hold for the Kīngitanga and te Tiriti?

The Kīngitanga remains poised to play a critical role in the future search for kotahitanga and mana motuhake.

By Liam Rātana | 5th February, 2025

Christopher Luxon’s absence has become a point of indifference (Image: Getty Images, treatment: The Spinoff)

No prime minister, no problem: Māori prepare for big day at Waitangi

The prime minister's absence at Waitangi has been criticised by some, but Māori on the ground are already leading themselves.

By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 5th February, 2025

Politics reporter