Te Tiriti and the struggle for socialism

The Saturday keynote panel of the Second New Zealand Federation of Socialist Societies National Conference – Labour Weekend 2024 brings together experienced Tino Rangatiratanga activists Catherine Love (Te Ātiawa, Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Ruahinerangi), Kassie Hartendorp (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa), and Dougal McNeill to speak on “Te Tiriti and the struggle for socialism.” Wellington City Councillor Nīkau Wi Neera (Ngāti Toarangatira, Kāi Tahu) will ably serve as our panel moderator.

Please note: the Saturday keynote is a free event, open to anyone, irrespective of whether they have registered for the conference or not. Likewise for the Sunday keynote.

The theme for this year’s conference is “The Dual Crisis in Aotearoa.” The “dual crisis” is the idea that New Zealand has periodically gone through simultaneous crises in both its colonial and its capital foundations. Our panelists will engage with this theme by discussing the current coalition government’s attacks on Te Tiriti and on Māori generally, in the context of the decades-long struggle for justice for Māori. They will also examine the relationship between Te Tiriti and the socialist project.

Catherine Love has continued a family tradition of fighting the cause of Raupatu. She has worked tirelessly over the decades in a range of leadership roles for her iwi, including as a Treaty negotiator and trustee of various Māori land and social trusts. Catherine has held national and international positions in health, psychology, social service, justice, and educational leadership.

Kassie Hartendorp is the Director of progressive campaigning organisation ActionStation. An organiser at heart, she has been involved in movements for Te Tiriti justice, workers rights, economic justice, LGBTQIA rights, and anti-racism. She also has a background in frontline advocacy as a former youth worker.

Dougal McNeill is one of the editors of The Socialist, the publication of the International Socialist Organisation, and is active in the ISO’s Wellington branch. He is a member of the Tertiary Education Union.

Nīkau Wi Neera is a direct paternal descendant of Te Rauparaha. An accomplished musician, Nīkau has also been a student activist and environmentalist, and while working as a Residential Advisor successfully unionised his colleagues. In 2022, Nīkau was elected to the Māori Ward of the Wellington City Council for the Greens.

—————————————————————————————————-

Event Proceedings:
6:15 pm – Doors open
6:30 pm – Introductions
6:40 pm – Conversation between panellists and Nīkau
7:40 pm – Intermission
7:50 pm – Panel Q&A

Please do arrive on time. The panel will start at 6.30 pm sharp and if we exceed Thistle Hall’s capacity we may have to turn people away.