Becoming Tangata Tiriti

Working with Maori, Honouring the Treaty

By: Avril Bell, Tim Page - producer

Narrated by: Avril Bell

Avril Bell's celebrated account of non-Māori New Zealanders navigating a changing Aotearoa–now available as an audiobook.

Becoming Tangata Tiriti brings together twelve non-Māori voices–dedicated professionals, activists and everyday individuals–who have engaged with te ao Māori and have attempted to bring te Tiriti to life in their work. In stories of missteps, hard-earned victories and journeys through the complexities of cross-cultural relationships, Becoming Tangata Tiriti is a book of lessons learned.

Sociologist Avril Bell analyses the complicated journey of today's partners of te Tiriti o Waitangi, and asks: Who are we as tangata tiriti? How do we identify in relation to Māori? What are our responsibilities to te Tiriti? What do we do when we inevitably stumble along the way?

With words by champions in their fields, including Meng Foon, Andrew Judd and others, this concise volume acts as a guide for those just beginning their journey towards a Tiriti-based society–and is a sound refresher for others well along the path.

©2026 Avril Bell (P)2026 Auckland University Press