Moana Jackson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Moana Jackson
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| Born | 10 October 1945 Hastings, New Zealand
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| Died | 31 March 2022 (aged 76) Waimana, New Zealand
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| Resting place | Matahiwi Marae |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Relatives | Everard Jackson (father) Syd Jackson (brother) June Jackson (sister-in-law) Willie Jackson (nephew) Fred Jackson (grandfather) |
Moana Jackson (born October 10, 1945 – died March 31, 2022) was an important New Zealand lawyer. He focused on laws about how a country is governed (constitutional law). He also worked on the Treaty of Waitangi and issues affecting native peoples around the world.
Moana Jackson was a strong supporter of Māori rights. He believed that New Zealand's justice system was unfair to Māori. He worked hard to make changes to the country's laws. In 1987, he helped start the Māori Legal Service. He also helped native people globally. For example, he led the group that wrote the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. He also served as a judge on the International Tribunal of Indigenous Rights.
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Moana Jackson's Life
Moana Jackson was born in Hastings. He was one of six children. His father, Everard Jackson, was a famous rugby player for the All Blacks. His older brother, Syd Jackson, was also a well-known activist.
Moana Jackson was connected to the iwi (tribes) of Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Porou. He went to school in Hastings. Later, he studied law and criminology at Victoria University of Wellington. After working as a lawyer for a short time, he taught the Māori language. He then studied more in the United States at Arizona State University.
Moana Jackson passed away on March 31, 2022, in Waimana. He had been ill for a long time. His traditional Māori funeral, called a tangi, was held at Matahiwi Marae. He had a special request that women be allowed to speak at his tangi. This role is usually only for men.
Many famous New Zealanders shared their sadness when he died. This included Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. She said that Moana Jackson was known worldwide for his knowledge of native issues. She also said he was very kind and shared his wisdom with many people.
Moana Jackson's Work
After returning to New Zealand, Moana Jackson did research for the government. He wrote a report called Māori and the Criminal Justice System: A New Perspective, He Whaipaanga Hou. This report was published in 1988. In it, he explained that Māori people faced unfair treatment in the justice system. He was the first person to suggest a different justice system for Māori. His report is still very important in New Zealand law today.
In 1987, he helped create Ngā Kaiwhakamarama i Ngā Ture, also known as the Māori Legal Service. This group helps Māori people with legal issues. He was still a director of this organization in 2021.
Protecting Māori Rights
In 1989, Moana Jackson began preparing a claim for the Waitangi Tribunal. The Waitangi Tribunal is a group that looks into complaints about the Treaty of Waitangi. His claim was special because it was for all Māori. It asked for Māori rights over native plants and animals. The claim was officially made in 1991. In 2011, the Tribunal said that Māori and the government should work together to manage conservation.
Moana Jackson also worked internationally. He led the group that wrote the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This important document protects the rights of native peoples worldwide. In 1993 and 1995, he was a judge on the International Tribunal of Indigenous Rights. He also helped with the peace process in Bougainville.
Speaking Out for Justice
Moana Jackson often spoke out against government actions he thought were unfair. He criticized the government's laws about the foreshore and seabed in 2004. He also spoke against the police raids in 2007. He believed these raids were unfair to Māori communities. He even resigned from a police group because of his strong feelings. He said that those who take power unfairly will defend it unfairly.
In 2016, he led a group called Matike Mai Aotearoa. This group worked on changing New Zealand's laws. Their report suggested ways to give Māori more power to make decisions for themselves. This led to a special meeting in 2021 where Moana Jackson gave the main speech.
Moana Jackson also taught at Te Wānanga o Raukawa. He taught about Māori laws and philosophy. He was also a visiting expert at Victoria University of Wellington. In the early 2010s, he helped save Te Aute College, a school important to Māori culture.
Awards and Recognition
In 2017, Moana Jackson received an honorary doctorate from Victoria University of Wellington. This award recognized his amazing work on the Treaty of Waitangi and how Māori are treated in the justice system. He never accepted official honors from the New Zealand government. He said he would only accept them if the Treaty of Waitangi was fully part of New Zealand's government.
In 2021, he became a Companion of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. This recognized his leadership in New Zealand. In May 2021, he received the first Te Whare Pukenga award. This award honored his great work as a supporter, helper, and teacher for Māori rights and social justice.
Selected publications
