In 2023, Australia voted no in the groundbreaking The Voice referendum – a bill that would have given greater representation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian government. Almost simultaneously on the other side of the Tasman, the recently elected Aotearoa New Zealand government have put up for debate some of the most foundational agreements that protect Māori rights, language and sovereignty.

With the fight for indigenous rights growing in both countries, allyship is more important now than ever. Gudanji/Wakaja educator and author of We Come With This Place, Debra Dank; Architect, lecturer and author of Checkerboard Hill, Jade Kake (Ngāpuhi, Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Whakaue) and Asians Supporting Tino Rangatiratanga representative Kirsty Fong join Murdoch Stephens for a vital conversation on how people – whatever their background – can lend effective support in this crucial moment for our two nations.

Supported by Australian High Commission.

Also at Auckland Writers Festival 2024

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Last updated: 12 March 2024