Tame Iti | The 60-Year Journey to Defining Mana | Mandate Podcast

Māori activist, author, and artist Matua Tame Iti joins the Mandate Podcast to share his incredible life journey, the fight for Indigenous rights, and the deep meaning of mana. In this powerful interview, Tame Iti explains how personal struggles became political action—from confronting racism in the schoolyard to founding the Māori Tent Embassy—and why true mana belongs to everyone, not just those in authority.

Keywords:
Māori activism, Indigenous rights, mana, self‑liberation, New Zealand history, Dawn raids, Māori language ban, Tent Embassy, cultural identity, activism, art as resistance, community healing, youth empowerment, colonial system, systemic trauma, legacy, Tamati Iti, Mandate Podcast

Highlights & Topics Covered
0:00 – Introduction to Matua Tame Iti
6:36 – What does mana actually mean?
9:04 – Mana isn’t just about authority or big chiefs
18:34 – Language ban: racism in the schoolyard
22:52 – Protest inspiration and the Tent Embassy
29:34 – The enemy within: why self‑liberation is key
33:15 – Embracing moko/tāmoko and cultural pride
38:09 – Dealing with saboteurs and deliberate misunderstanding
41:28 – Working toward national unity and managing division
58:43 – Art as an act of liberation and self‑expression
1:06:45 – Tame Iti’s legacy and how he wants to be remembered
1:09:11 – Encouragement for men who are struggling
1:11:06 – Where to find his book Mana

About the Book Mana, Tame Iti, explores the 60‑year journey to understanding mana and offers a roadmap for personal and communal healing. Available online soon—stay tuned for the release date.
About Mandate:
MandateNZ is proudly sponsored by AOKNZ (Acts of Kindness New Zealand), dedicated to suicide prevention, intervention, and well‑being programs across the country. Learn more at www.AOK.NZ.
Connect with Matua Tame Iti
Visit his website and follow his art and upcoming projects.
https://www.tameiti.co.nz/shop-1/p/ma...

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