What kind of 'Aotearoa' is emerging from 'New Zealand'?

"An extraordinary pre-figuring of the 'Aotearoa' that could emerge from 'New Zealand' occurred at last month’s opening of Te Matatini.
    "During the powhiri [at Orakei] to the nationwide kapa haka competition held at Eden Park, the tribe claiming mana whenua status in Auckland, Ngati Whatua, clashed with the sizeable contingent representing the people of Tainui – the Waikato tribal confederation still advancing historical claims to much of the Auckland region.
    "The degree of animosity on display was astonishing... The excellent coverage of the Ngati Whatua/Tainui stand-off provided by Moana Maniapoto for Maori Television’s Te Ao with Moana captured not only the injured dignity of the participants – and their rage – but the ... consternation at the naked hostility on display....
    "Astonished observers from the many other Iwi Maori participating in Te Matatini were united in their verdict: 'This isn’t over.'
    "Is this to be the way of things in these islands once the Crown has been transformed into the passive helpmeet of the independent tribes of Aotearoa, and such Pakeha as remain have learned to keep their mouths firmly shut? ...
    "Should Maori [tribal leaders] succeed in 'taking their country back' (which, in spite of all the promises of 'partnership and 'equity,' remains their unshakeable intention), it will not be as a unified people, but as a group of tribes no longer held together by their fierce antagonism to colonisation and all its works. In the 183 years since the signing of the Treaty, the claims of whanau, hapu and iwi have remained central to what it means to be Maori. Strike off the colonial fetters – cultural, economic and political – and what remains will be what was always there – long before James Cook’s Endeavour sailed out of the morning sun.
    "Proud tribes. Strong tribes. Deadly Tribes."

~ Chris Trotter, from his post 'The Tribal Stand-Off at Eden Park'