Who actually has power in Aotearoa? Where do decisions get made about healthcare, education, housing, the cost of living, and the systems that shape our daily lives?
Most of us were never taught how government really works. Understanding Kawanatanga changes that.
In just 32 pages, this accessible guide explains where decision making power sits today, how laws and institutions affect everyday life, and where ordinary people can have real influence. Clear, concise, and designed to be understood in under an hour, it connects what many people already know about Te Tiriti o Waitangi with the systems operating around them every day.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi sets limits on government power. This book explains where Te Tiriti fits within modern government and how it can protect us all. It helps readers understand how kawanatanga functions in practice right now, and why that matters before we vote, advocate, organise, or participate in public life.
The third book in the bestselling Understanding Te Tiriti series by human rights lawyer and educator Roimata Smail, Understanding Kawanatanga is written in her signature clear, respectful, and accessible style. Beautifully designed and richly illustrated, it features original artwork by artbyngawai, design by Sarah Healey, and TKP design by Noelle Jakeman.
Inspired by the unprecedented public engagement around the Treaty Principles Bill and the author's visit to the United Nations in 2025, the book grows from a hopeful truth: people are beginning to understand their power. Understanding Kawanatanga is designed to deepen it.
