I te pō nei o Ōtane,
Tēnā koutou, katoa.
Kia whakatōmuri te haere ki whakamua
I walk into the future with my eyes fixed on the past.
This whakatauki reminds us how past events and experience follow us into our future. This is something clearly understood within both Te Ao Māori and within the field of psychotherapy. Therefore, the offering of apology is an important part of recognising actions of the past and providing whakawatea, or clearing the way to move into a different future.
With our Te Tiriti Partner, APANZ, Waka Oranga also acknowledges the harm done in Aotearoa New Zealand through the practice of psychotherapy to Takatāpui, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual (T/LGBTQIA+), Māhū, Vakasaluwalewa, Palopa, Fa’afine/Fa’atama, Akava’ine, Fakaleiti, Fakafifine (MVPFAFF+) and other members of Rainbow Communities in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Colonising and oppressive practices impacted you through heteronormative, Eurocentric thinking in relation to sexuality and gender. We recognise the harm that this creates both at the time and intergenerationally and that Rainbow whānau will still be feeling and navigating the effects of this today.
We also acknowledge that while apology addresses the harms done in the past, it also serves as a constant reminder for us to be vigilant, and to challenge similar behaviours and practices now and in the future.
Nā reira,
E koekoe te Tūī
E ketekete te Kākā
E kūkū te Kererū
The diversity of our voices strengthens our collective voice for the future.
Tēnā koutou, katoa.