My whakapapa recognises Maungaharuru, the mountain renowned for its distinctive roaring sounds—a legacy of the diverse avian populations that once inhabited the area. Maungaharuru holds spiritual significance for the hapū Ngāti Kurumōkihi, who serve as its kaitiaki (guardians).

Aotearoa retains numerous sites of substantial cultural importance. For example, Haruru Falls (“big noise”) in the Bay of Islands has profound connections to Māori whakapapa. The falls feed into the Waitangi River, which then supplies a major lagoon adjacent to Te Tii Marae and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Each year, I travel to Waitangi, a location of historic significance where our ancestors signed an agreement in 1840. The landscape is visually impressive, yet it is the enduring spirit of the place that stands out. This year’s commemoration of Te Tiriti o Waitangi brought together both Tangata Whenua and Tangata Te Tiriti, facilitating whanaungatanga through discussions and activities that underscored the document’s ongoing relevance.

I was privileged to present in the Forum tent at Waitangi, a venue for substantive political discourse where leaders are held accountable before our community. My focus this year was on Ōhanga (Economics), examining the persistent gap whereby economic advancement does not necessarily translate into broader benefit.

Despite commitments from the Government to restore economic stability, data indicate significant challenges remain. Over the past year, there have been 1533 redundancies within the public service. The repeal of Fair Pay Agreements has stalled progress on improved compensation and working conditions for lower-wage workers and resulted in the discontinuation of 33 Pay Equity claims. These claims had the potential to address sex-based discrimination impacting over 150,000 workers in female-dominated professions such as nursing, teaching, and social work, and were valued at an estimated $12.8 billion over four years.

Cost-of-living pressures continue to intensify. Indicators show rising homelessness, escalating housing costs, increasing poverty, and widening wage inequality. According to a July 2025 Salvation Army report, approximately one in every 1000 New Zealanders lacks adequate shelter, with 57,000 women affected by homelessness. Early 2025 statistics reveal that one in seven children live in households experiencing material hardship. Moreover, over half of Māori individuals reside in highly deprived areas, and one in four Māori children encounter material hardship. Budget 2025 reduced funding by roughly $1 billion for targeted Māori programmes and housing initiatives.

New Zealand also confronts the implications of an ageing population. While life expectancy is improving, additional years are often spent in poor health with multiple comorbidities. The demographic transition is reducing the relative size of the working-age population required to generate income tax revenue to support older citizens. In 2025, there were four working-age individuals for each person over 65; projections suggest this will fall to two by 2065. Addressing these demographic challenges necessitates investment in health workforce development and retention, enhancements to health services, and reforms to the tax system to sustain the needs of an ageing society and minimise the risk of a youth exodus.

There has been an unprecedented departure of New Zealand citizens. In September of the previous year, international departures increased by 8% compared to the year before, accounting for nearly 73,000 people leaving the country—almost 40% of whom were aged 18–30. Furthermore, in 2024, nearly 12,000 New Zealand registered nurses sought registration to practice in Australia.

We need to keep having conversations, persistently questioning, and advocating for what truly matters—our people, our whenua (land), and te taiao (environment). Stay united in our efforts. 

I acknowledge those impacted by the Mauao landslide and offer my respects to Ngai Te Rangi.