I had the privilege of speaking with lawyer, Renika Siciliano (Waikato/ Maniapoto), about her experience of working in treaty settlements for a range of hapū and iwi groups.

Renika is Executive Director of McCaw Lewis in Kirikiriroa/ Hamilton: Renika Siciliano | McCaw Lewis.

I met Renika when she was representing Rangitane and I was an historian in the Crown team working on the Wairarapa negotiations.

In a great series of reflections, Renika talks about the challenges and opportunities of treaty settlements, of healing the mamae (hurt/pain) of history, and of the hope of what can be – including rethinking the way iwi and hapū work together with the Crown.