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... If this conversation resonates, please like, subscribe, and share to help keep these important discussions alive!