<
https://theconversation.com/strangers-in-their-own-land-how-a-new-citizenship-category-could-avoid-a-trap-for-indigenous-children-born-overseas-269389>
"Outdated laws mean Indigenous children in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia
can currently be denied citizenship on the lands of their ancestors.
The issue came to the fore last month, when the Waitangi Tribunal in New
Zealand considered an urgent claim, challenging whether the Crown has met
Treaty of Waitangi obligations to protect the citizenship rights of Māori
children born overseas.
The claimant John Bryers Ruddock is affiliated with Ngāpuhi. He was born in
Australia but became a New Zealand citizen by descent through his Māori mother.
However, despite their tribal connections, his children are not New Zealand
citizens under the current law because they were born in the United States.
The claimants argued that whakapapa (genealogy) is a taonga, a treasured right
the Crown must actively safeguard.
The tribunal found the Crown breached the
Treaty principles of partnership,
active protection, rangatiratanga, good government and equal treatment.
The case highlights how Māori families born offshore face exclusion from New
Zealand citizenship, even when genealogical and iwi (tribal) affiliations
affirm identity and belonging. The findings suggest that citizenship should be
reconsidered in a contemporary context."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
