The Treaty & Me 2025: From Silence to Solidarity – Finding our Voice

In the third of four dates in the Treaty & Me series for 2025, a Whanganui TikTok influencer talks about what inspired him to learn and change – and how others can too.

Take your average middle-class, ‘white’ young person in Aotearoa – how do we get them to care about and advocate for Indigenous rights, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Tino rangatiratanga?

“Now, that’s a challenge I’d love to take on,” says Patrick Monaghan (aka Paddy the Pākehā) “After all, that is me!”

By reverse-engineering his own journey of discovery, Paddy will attempt to identify the key factors that moved him from indifference to passion – to sketch a rough roadmap of how he got to where he is, and, by extension, how we might significantly increase the number of non-Māori engaging in this space.

This talk won’t be deeply grounded in research or academia – just real-world experiences and rambling thoughts of a ‘Pākehā fella from Whanganui’: what cuts through, what doesn’t, and the many voices and approaches we need to consider.

Patrick Monaghan – aka ‘Paddy the Pākehā’ is a photographer, videographer and Dad of 2 young boys. In response to seeing racism and misinformation in his community and online, he took to TikTok to explore and dispel a few myths on issues such as Māori Wards, ‘special privileges’ for Māori, the meaning of words like ‘Pākehā’ and more – quickly amassing nearly 20,000 followers.

In November 2024, he was invited by the Toitū Te Tiriti organisers to speak on behalf of Tangata Tiriti when the Hikoi arrived in Wellington; and continues to educate and inspire ‘Tangata Tiriti’ with his bite-sized morsels of wisdom, delivered with a calm and inclusive approach.

The Treaty & Me series is hosted by Network Waitangi Whangārei. Over four Wednesdays from 23 July until 13 August, respected Pākehā and community voices will speak about the Treaty / Te Tiriti from their own experience and research.

There are 2 sessions on each date – 12-2pm and 7-9pm – all at 116 Bank St, Whangārei.
Doors open 30 minutes before session start times – Free coffee, tea, soup & snacks will be served.

The talks are for everyone, but particularly those keen to explore how Te Tiriti is key to New Zealand’s harmonious future.

Speakers will be followed by a facilitated Q&A session, so please bring your curiosity, openness and questions.

All talks are FREE – Koha appreciated (bring cash on the day).