Archibald Baxter Memorial Trust Annual Peace Lecture with Hon. Nanaia Mahuta

Te Ao o Rongomaraeroa, in association with the Archibald Baxter Memorial Trust, hosted the Honourable Nanaia Mahuta for this year’s Archibald Baxter Memorial Trust Annual Peace Lecture on Weds 17 Sep, 5:30pm at the College Auditorium.

Here is a link to the ABMT lecture recording and the title and abstract of the talk below.

“Indigenous Economic Inclusion – A Case for Integration”

When powerful countries use money, technology, or resources as weapons, it creates fragility and mistrust. Indigenous economies, built on care, sharing, and long-term responsibility, provide a stronger, fairer, and more resilient future that puts people, planet, peace and prosperity at the forefront of their considerations.

I will outline how Indigenous economies can make the world stronger and fairer. It looks at five main areas: good governance founded in tikanga and culture, fair trade and easier movement for Indigenous businesses, access to finance capital that supports community enterprise, protecting the climate and environment, and safeguarding Indigenous knowledge and data. Drawing on indigenous examples, I want to show how Indigenous values can grow prosperity while also protecting people and the environment with a purposeful mokopuna mindset.

The central proposition is that Indigenous-led economic integration disperses risk, lowers incentives for coercion, and embeds peace and planetary care into market design. By reframing trade, investment, and innovation around Indigenous principles of reciprocity and stewardship, governments, tribal economies and the private sector can reorient globalisation toward resilience rather than rivalry. It’s time for indigenous economies to be considered partners in building a global future that drives peace, prosperity, sustainability, and security for people and the planet.

The following morning on Thursday 18 September, Ōtakou Whakaihu staff and students were invited by Te Tumu and Te Ao o Rongomaraeroa to a kava ceremony, morning tea and kōrero with Nanaia. Following the morning tea, Nanaia answered questions from the audience and discussed issues related to her time in politics, the different roles she plays in Aotearoa and the issues facing Māoridom in the current climate. Her kōrero was articulate, intelligent and simply inspirational, and we hope she will return to Ōtepoti and visit us again in the not-to-distant future. 

E te manuhiri rangatira, e tūmanako ana ka kite anō mātou i a koe ākuanei!