Educational Thoughts

This week our senior students, along with some keen alumni, had the privilege of hearing from Elliot Ikilei. He visited MCS representing Hobson’s Pledge, a lobby group that advocates for equal citizenship for all New Zealanders and a traditional, rather than radical revisionist, understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Elliot began his talk by describing pre-European Māori society. He explained one theory of how Māori arrived in New Zealand and painted a grim picture of life marked by continual inter-tribal warfare, ūtū (revenge), and cannibalism.

He then turned to the arrival of missionaries and traders. Elliot noted that Māori were highly capable and intelligent, quickly adapting to trade and industry. Britain, meanwhile, had turned back toward its Christian heritage and, conscious of its failures in India, was initially reluctant to colonise New Zealand in the same way. Nevertheless, a combination of pressures eventually led to the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.

Elliot also highlighted the story of the chief Hongi Hika, who, after visiting England, returned with muskets and unleashed the devastating Musket Wars. Entire tribes were destroyed through conquest, enslavement, and violence, as many communities were unprepared for this kind of warfare.

The central theme of Elliot’s talk was sovereignty. He discussed the translation issue between “sovereignty” in English and kāwanatanga in Māori, pointing out that the chiefs debated this extensively before signing. He highlighted the early interpretation of leaders such as Sir Āpirana Ngata, who affirmed that Māori had ceded sovereignty to the Crown. Elliot also noted that subsequent gatherings, such as the Kohimarama Conference of 1860, showed that Māori leaders and the children of the Treaty signatories understood and accepted that sovereignty had indeed been passed over.

Elliot connected these historical discussions to issues New Zealand faces today. He argued that Māori overrepresentation in prisons and social struggles is primarily the result of family breakdown, especially the absence of fathers, rather than systemic racism or colonialism. He also encouraged students to think critically about media and activist narratives, which he believes often distract from the deeper social issues that need to be addressed.

Students were challenged to consider New Zealand’s history more carefully, to reflect on the role of family and faith in shaping society, and to engage honestly with the ongoing debates around the Treaty of Waitangi. Elliot emphasised that if New Zealand is to move forward as one people, it is vital to have open conversations about these difficult topics.

We concluded our time together with a shared morning tea, where our students were able to put their toughest questions to Elliot. We are grateful to him, and to Hobson’s Pledge, for this entertaining and thought-provoking visit.