Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn

Guest writer

Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn (Ngāti Kurī, Te Rarawa) was part of the independent working group behind Matike Mai Aotearoa. A UN indigenous fellow and senior indigenous fellow, she was also an elected negotiator for the Ngāti Kurī treaty claims settlement.

Murupaenga-Ikenn in action at Te Papa. (Image: Supplied).

Redacting the Crown’s lies: Why I defaced an exhibition in our national museum

In September, Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn was convicted of graffiti vandalism and ordered to pay Te Papa $1,500 in reparations for her 2023 protest.

By Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn | 11th November, 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