Historical Context | Programme |
Waitangi Associates was founded in the belief that Pakeha need to understand and take responsibility for their own colonial history and for honouring the Treaty of Waitangi. The workshop processes were predicated on the belief that, until Pakeha understand the Treaty and take responsibility for their own learning, the Treaty cannot be honoured. The workshop leaders were Pakeha from varied cultural heritages, who networked in the Māori community and enjoyed professional relationships with specialised Māori Treaty workers.
The experience of
professional Pakeha and Māori treaty workers during the last thirty years demonstrated
that initially this work needed to be provided in a parallel process
which enabled Pakeha and Māori to work through, what are often painful issues, in a
culturally safe environment. Pakeha and Māori need to do their own work before
coming together. The guiding principles for Waitangi Associates were
to make Treaty workshops available to all New Zealanders and for the process to be
affordable to everyone regardless of income.
The business began in September 1991 with its origins in Project Waitangi, which Robert co-founded in 1986 in Christchurch. The owners are Robert and Trish Consedine.
The business is now closed.
The primary focus of the business was the delivery of a two-day Treaty workshop. Each Treaty workshop was structured to the needs of the participants within a general framework which covered all the background and implications of the Treaty of Waitangi. In addition, it then provided an emphasis on the particular specialty of the group e.g. health professionals focusing on health issues, or educators looking at education issues.
A typical two-day workshop generated more than sixty questions, covered more than fifteen major themes and each participant was resourced with significant handouts. These same handouts were also made available to Māori staff attending their own Treaty workshops.
Waitangi Associates Workshop Leaders had a network of specialist support in the Māori and Pakeha community. All workers were involved in ongoing research and training. Our team of highly competent people provided a range of experience in leading Treaty workshops over the last 30 years and this enabled Waitangi Associates to deliver the workshop process simultaneously to large numbers of students in the Tertiary sector.
Over the years the business was supported at very significant levels by a number of people in their own areas of specialty or, as individuals willing to support the way in which Waitangi Associates functions. We are deeply appreciative to these people.
Robert and Trish Consedine
