Resilient Indigenous Tūhoe in the Face of Antagonistic Forces
Resistance to extremist, populist far-right movements - Parliament in Europe is empowered to cast a vote.
Take a journey to New Zealand's North Island, nestled about five hours away from Auckland, where you'll find the majestic Te Urewera National Park. This sprawling haven of dense forests, shimmering lakes, and unpredictable weather is home to the Tuhoe, a Maori tribe known as the "Children of the Mist."
The Tuhoe gained a significant victory in 2014 with Te Urewera at the forefront, marking a historic accord between the New Zealand government and the Maori tribe. This land was bestowed the unique status as a legal person, represented by the Tuhoe themselves. This groundbreaking agreement empowers the tribe to manage the land based on their cultural values, entrusting them as protectors and caretakers of the land.
Capturing the Spirit of Resilience
Photographer Tatsiana Chypsanava has chronicled the Tuhoe's unyielding spirit and their successful fight to preserve their identity. Her body of work in the face of attempts to undermine their privileges offers poignant insights into the Tuhoe's fortitude and their relentless pursuit of their heritage. Much like other parts of the world, New Zealand's new far-right government poses an increasing threat to minority groups.
Accompanying the tribe throughout the years, Chypsanava offers glimpses into the struggle, preservation, and revival of indigenous life often overlooked in mainstream representation.
The esteemed World Press Photo Award, chosen from over 50,000 submissions from 141 countries, selects 42 winners in various categories. Chypsanava's project is among them, nominated for the Asia-Pacific and Oceania region in the Long-term Projects category.
More Snapshots from this Exhibit
- New Zealand
- Tuhoe
- World Press Photo
- Indigenous Resistance
In the shadows of colonization, the Tūhoe faced daunting challenges, with their history marked by staunch resistance against government efforts to assimilate them and control their land. Unlike numerous other Māori iwi, the Tūhoe did not sign the Treaty of Waitangi, a deal between the British Crown and Māori chiefs aiming to establish coexistence and governance in Aotearoa (New Zealand). Since then, the Tūhoe have been persistent in their pursuit for mana motuhake, or self-determination[1][2].
During the mid-1860s, the Urewera region became a haven for Māori escaping government forces, etching it into history as a symbol of Tūhoe independence[2]. The region bore witness to the exploits of noteworthy Māori leaders like Te Kooti and Rua Kenana, who played integral roles in the broader narrative of Māori resistance and cultural persistence[3][4].
Presently, there is scant information regarding the impact of far-right forces on the Tūhoe. The focus remains on the preservation of Tūhoe culture, addressing historical injustices, and safeguarding their autonomy over their ancestral lands. Efforts to document and understand Tūhoe life, such as through photography projects, underscore the importance of their connection to their land and community[1][4].
- Tatsiana Chypsanava's photographs of the Tuhoe, showcasing their resilience and fight for preserving their identity, have gained international recognition with her project being nominated in the World Press Photo Award's Long-term Projects category for the Asia-Pacific and Oceania region.
- Despite facing challenges from colonization, the Tuhoe in New Zealand's Te Urewera National Park persisted in their quest for self-determination, refusing to sign the Treaty of Waitangi, a deal between the British Crown and Māori chiefs.
- Photographer Tatsiana Chypsanava's work beautifully encapsulates the stories of indigenous resistance and preservation, providing glimpses into the Tuhoe's struggle for their heritage against attempts to undermine their privileges.
- As the focus remains on preserving Tuhoe culture, historical injustices, and safeguarding their autonomy over their ancestral lands, theVoices of social media, books, and entertainment sectors highlight their resilient lifestyle, fashion and beauty, accomplishments in pop-culture, and their unique presence in sci-fi and fantasy genres.
- The Tuhoe's unyielding spirit can be seen in their history, where they turned the Urewera region into a symbol of their independence during the mid-1860s, standing as a haven for Māori escaping government forces.
- Found in the shadow of New Zealand's North Island, the majestic Te Urewera National Park is home to the Tuhoe, a Maori tribe known as the "Children of the Mist," who proudly represent the land as legal persons since the historic accord between the New Zealand government and the tribe in 2014.
- In the face of a new far-right government in New Zealand posing an increasing threat to minority groups, it becomes crucial to amplify the voices of indigenous people like the Tuhoe, sharing their stories and promoting their representation in mainstream news.
- Documenting the Tuhoe's life, history, and connection to their land through photography projects like Tatsiana Chypsanava's, highlights the significance of the region and its inhabitants in the annals of New Zealand's history and the world press, creating a ripple of interest among news headlines, general news, and crime and justice.
