Asian tauiwi and tangata whenua: Māori-Asian relationships and their implications for Aotearoa New Zealand’s constitutional future

Abstract

This article traces the history of migration by Asian peoples to Aotearoa New Zealand and examines how their relationships with Māori has evolved and been influenced by the social, economic and political climate. Although Asian and Māori communities have often been pitted against each other by mainstream narratives, they share many common values and are natural allies – including in constitutional transformation. Despite perceptions to the contrary, there is strong compatibility between recognising te Tiriti and supporting Aotearoa’s ethnically and culturally diverse population. I argue that honouring te Tiriti is a foundational step towards addressing injustice and supporting all those who live in Aotearoa.