An 80-strong Māori delegation, including members of the National Iwi Chairs Forum, Waiata Māori Music Ambassadors, businesses, entrepreneurs, researchers, technicians and performers, has returned from a highly successful week-long programme, Te Aratini: Indigenous Peoples Week at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
First conceived in the lead-up to Expo 2020 Dubai, Te Aratini conveys the idea of many converging pathways and was chosen to reflect the opportunities uniquely offered at World Expos. Since its inception, Te Aratini has resonated with Indigenous Peoples and governments worldwide, sparking momentum towards a permanent and sustainable Indigenous presence at future World Expos.
Since its debut at Expo 2020 Dubai, with the backing of governments including New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Paraguay, Panama, Malaysia, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates, Te Aratini has continued to grow its network of partners. As New Zealand did not have a pavilion or presence at Expo 2025 Osaka, Te Aratini support was led by Japan’s Playground of Life: Jellyfish pavilion, Australia, Canada, with Indigenous representation from Taiwan, the World Bank and across Te Moana nui a Kiwa.
Ngahiwi Tomoana, Kaihautū of Te Aratini, has championed the vision on behalf of the National Iwi Chairs Forum, working to forge an enduring Indigenous presence at all future World Expos. In Osaka, that ambition was further cemented when Stefano Acbano, Director of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) — the intergovernmental body overseeing and regulating World Expos — delivered a closing statement acknowledging the significance of Te Aratini:
“This gathering, rooted in an initiative that began at Expo 2020 Dubai, carries forward a precious legacy. At that time, the Bureau International des Expositions was entrusted with the custodianship of a taonga, a treasured symbol offered in trust by the Indigenous communities represented here. It was given to be safeguarded until the next meeting of this remarkable initiative. We have preserved it with the greatest care at the BIE in Paris, and it is with deep respect that we have brought it here, as promised, to where it belongs.”
“For the BIE as well, this taonga is far more than a beautiful object. It speaks to us of the echo between the unbroken chain of knowledge, traditions, and values that Indigenous Peoples have carried forward across generations, and our own mission of cherishing the best practices that, around the world, contribute to the progress of peoples.”
“The BIE treasures these best practices, recognising in them a model for dialogue that is both inclusive and forward-looking. We are honoured to support the continuity of Te Aratini, and we commend the organisers and participants for choosing World Expos as the stage for this unique and vital exchange.”
An unofficial visit by Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado of the Imperial House of Japan to several Indigenous events added further prestige to the week. Her personal reflections emphasised the shared nature-based worldviews that co-exist between Japan and Indigenous Peoples globally.
Participants were also buoyed by an appearance from His Excellency Maher Nasser, Commissioner General of the United Nations pavilion, who addressed the broader Indigenous delegation in recognition and celebration of the United Nations International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples that occurs annually on 9 August.
Across seven days in the intense Osaka summer, delegates embraced every opportunity for dialogue, performance, cultural exchange, and business networking as well as strengthening relationships and exploring opportunities that the World Expo platform uniquely provides.
As the programme concluded, the Te Aratini leadership team was invited to meet with members of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Expo 2030 organising committee and Expo 2025 pavilion leads. Discussions began on the possibility of a standalone Indigenous Peoples presence at Expo 2030 Riyadh, a milestone that could mark a decade of global Indigenous participation in World Expos.
Signing the guest book, Tomoana left a warm message for Saudi Arabia in te reo Māori “Kia hora te marino, kia whakapapa pounamu te moana, kia tere te kārohirohi i mua i tōu huarahi” which he also translated for them as “May the calm and peace be widespread, may the ocean glisten as greenstone, and may the shimmer of light dance across the desert and forever guide you on your pathway.”