Resourcing rangatiratanga as part of constitutional transformation: taking equity and sovereignty seriously

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study explores possibilities for resourcing rangatiratanga, or Indigenous self-determination. We start by illustrating the role of taxation in erasing Indigenous sovereignty to first establish colonial authority, and then maintain this authority through an inequitable taxation system. We are motivated by emerging arguments around the importance for Indigenous practices and perspectives in governance, but without the proper resourcing to do so, Indigenous peoples rely on limited capacity and immeasurable amounts of unpaid labour. We thus explore how a colonial authority has resourced its authority, and erased Indigenous sovereignty, while exploring opportunities to resource Indigenous self-determination. This study merely scratches the surface of possibilities by mapping and mirroring sources of revenue generated by the Government of New Zealand and imagining how this revenue can either be shared through various means (incremental opportunities) or how Indigenous authorities can resource themselves through alternative means (progressive opportunities). In doing so we take the possibilities of a Te Tiriti-compliant taxation system seriously.