Maaori Justice Summit | Ināia Tonu Nei

Date Published: 15 August 2025

Author: Maioha Tawa

In August, I attended the three-day Maaori Justice Summit (2025) to listen and learn from those who have experienced injustice within our justice system. I also went to hear about how others are working to improve the system and create meaningful change within our communities. As someone who studied law at university, I believe it is important to go beyond the classroom in order to truly understand a topic. Readings and lectures are one thing, but listening to people's lived experiences and hearing their stories can provide a much deeper understanding of the realities many people face.

While I was there, I was capturing the koorero I heard as visual illustrations in my notebook, and got a few compliments on my drawings. As a visual-thinker who has only recently reclaimed my desire to illustrate again, I find it very helpful writing down and drawing everything I hear (in order to retain the information for later on).

During our breakout rooms I became the delegated writer and added my own style to the "notes." It was fun, and a great opportunity to practice my drawing under pressure.