High Commissioner: NAIDOC Week Film Screening, 10 July 2024

Opening Remarks for NAIDOC Week Film Screening of Araatika: Rise Up! 

by High Commissioner HE Harinder Sidhu AM

 

Wellington, 10 July 2024 

 

 

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā karangatanga maha, tēnā koutou katoa. 

Anei tatou i raro i te maru o ngā atua, nā rātou ngā mea katoa. 

Me mihi hoki ki a rātou kua whetūrangihia 

Apiti hono tātai hono, te hunga mate ki te hunga mate.  Apiti hono tātai hono, te hunga ora ki te hunga ora. 

E te tini me te manokua huihui mai nei, tēnā koutou. 

Nau mai, haere mai ki te kaupapa nei. 

No reira 

Nei rā te mihi ki a koutou katoa, 

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa. 

 

It’s a real pleasure to welcome you all to the Australian High Commission this evening to celebrate NAIDOC Week.  

 

For those of you who may not be familiar with this acronym, NAIDOC stands for National Aboriginals and Islanders Day Observance Committee. The celebration began in 1956 when just one day was set aside for the celebration and recognition of Aboriginal Australian cultures. Since then, the celebration has expanded to recognise Torres Strait Islander people and culture, and the day has been expanded into a full week.  

 

Since 1991, NAIDOC Week celebrations have been held across Australia in the first week of July to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

 

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all to learn about Australia’s First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. 

 

Tonight, we are proud to be playing a small part in that celebration through this showing of ‘Araatika: Rise Up!’.  This documentary follows a group of NRL players as they invent a new pre-game ceremony to respond to the Maori Haka, and to celebrate Aboriginal cultures, and counter racism in rugby league. 

 

One of the fantastic things about this documentary is that it showcases some of the close links between Indigenous cultures in both New Zealand and Australia. And of course, nothing brings Aussies and Kiwis together better than sport.  

 

All that is left to say is grab your popcorn, settle in, and enjoy the show.