He Whenua Taurikura holds New Zealand’s annual hui on countering terrorism and violent extremism. He Whenua Taurikura translates to ‘a country at peace’.
Date: 15-16 June, 2021
Location: Christchurch
Background
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain recommended that Government host an annual hui, to bring together relevant central and local government agencies, communities, civil society, the private sector and researchers to create opportunities to build relationships and share understanding of countering violent extremism and terrorism.
He Whenua Taurikura Hui 2021
The goals of the He Whenua Taurikura hui were to promote public conversation, understanding and research on radicalisation; look at how to challenge hate-motivated extremist ideologies; and cover priorities to address New Zealand’s terrorism and violent extremism issues.
The hui consisted of a series of panels and workshops. Over 340 attendees from communities, civil society, academia, private sector and government contributed to the event with their expertise and knowledge.
Prime Minister's Address (Tuesday 15 June)
Minister Radhakrishnan’s Address (Wednesday 16 June)
Detail of panel sessions
Tuesday 15 June: 9:15am (NZST)
Panel 1: Terrorism Challenges: the dynamic nature of the terrorism and violent extremism risk
Terrorism and violent extremism are complex issues, whose nature and scale has changed dramatically as the world has become increasingly interconnected.
The attacks in Christchurch on 15 March 2019 show how terrorism trends can manifest in Aotearoa New Zealand with tragic consequences, and both national and international ramifications.
This panel discussed the evolution of Aotearoa New Zealand’s terrorism and violent extremism risk in a global context, looking at changing trends over time. It will examine the impact of these trends, and look to the national and international environment to identify the current and emerging challenges for Aotearoa New Zealand. This session discussed the following questions:
- What is the nature of the risk in Aotearoa New Zealand, and what have the shifts been in recent years?
- What are we seeing internationally that is a cause for concern? To what extent are international trends and issues being reflected here?
- What new aspects are now beginning to emerge, and what are the next forms of terrorism and violent extremism that we might see here? What do we need to prepare for?
Tuesday 15 June
Panel discussion: Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori approaches
Building foundational Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori approaches into prevention of and countering terrorism and violent extremism in Aōtearoa
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the foundational basis for the relationship between Māori and the Crown, and a core part of the constitution of Aōtearoa New Zealand. It must be both honoured and incorporated meaningfully into the development of policy and programming solutions for
the prevention and countering of terrorism and violent extremism. How may this be considered effectively?
Te Ao Māori offers opportunities to see the world through the lens of the world of Māori and unique opportunities to build approaches such as whakawhanaungatanga, manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and mokopunatanga to how we mitigate alienation and polarisation that leads to extremism and seek to build cohesion, connection and peace for future generations. How can we enable te ao Māori approaches to listen, heal, build trust, and create safe spaces to hold difficult ideas in balance, whilst actively challenging ideas of hate and ideologies of extremism?
Tuesday 15 June: 1:15pm (NZST)
Panel 2: Addressing the causes: how can embracing community and diversity-focused approaches contribute to preventing and countering violent extremism
This panel looked at the underlying causes of terrorism and violent extremism of all kinds in our society, as well as how individuals journey down pathways to radicalisation across a range of ideologies.
It focused on what communities, civil society and government (both public sector agencies and local government) can do together to intervene early, prevent radicalisation, and build strong communities that are resilient to extremism.
This session discussed the following questions:
- What are the ‘protective factors’ that mean some people are more resilient to extremist ideologies? How can communities, civil society and government work together to grow these protective factors?
- What role do experiences and perceptions of injustice, inequality, diversity and inclusion play in individuals’ radicalisation?
- How can strong and resilient communities reduce and challenge extremism where it may emerge?
- How does Aotearoa New Zealand’s approach engage with both our bicultural underpinnings, and our multi-cultural reality and future.
Tuesday 15 June
Lunchtime discussion: Understanding the New Zealand Online Extremism Environment
Tuesday 15 June: 3:15pm (NZST)
Panel 3: Role of the media: building cultural understanding and countering violent extremism
The media plays a crucial role in shaping and informing public understanding of the world around us. How terrorist incidents and violent extremism are reported, as well as portrayals of minority faith and ethnic communities, can strongly influence the way these issues and communities are perceived by the wider public.
This panel discussed the role of the media in issues relating to terrorism and violent extremism, including ensuring coverage is fair, balanced and accurate. It also examined the portrayal of minority faith and ethnic communities in recent years and the impact of that on members of those communities.
This session discussed the following questions:
- How do you view the role and responsibilities of media when discussing and covering issues relating to terrorism and violent extremism?
- Media signed a pledge related to their content for the trial of the March 15 terrorist – how did this work from your perspective and what could it mean for future coverage of this nature?
- How can communities and government agencies work effectively with media to help ensure that content is fair, balanced and accurate?
- How does the Aotearoa/New Zealand media environment compare with overseas when it comes to covering matters of this nature – and what can we learn from that?
Tuesday 15 June
Closing reflection from Professor Robert Patman
Wednesday 16 June: 9.00am (NZST)
Panel 4: Violent Extremism online: new directions in preventing radicalisation and violent extremism in the digital world
The internet is essential to modern life. The ability to connect individuals and share ideas across the world has delivered huge benefits. Connectivity is a force for good, but it has also empowered violent extremists who seek to inflict harm.
This session looked at the role of the internet in violent extremism – from radicalisation and connecting extremist elements across the world, through to the sharing of violent and extremist content.
The discussion considered ways to prevent harm and keep people safe and secure, including efforts to address terrorist and 14 violent extremist content (TVEC) online. It considered the role of multi-stakeholder collaboration, with a focus on the Christchurch Call, and the measures governments, industry, and civil society can each take on- and offline.
This session discussed the following questions:
- How do violent extremists (ab)use the online environment? What effect does this have on our safety and security?
- What role do online environments – including social media and online algorithms – play in radicalisation? And in preventing radicalisation?
- How do we make positive change in the online environment? What are the roles for government, industry and civil society?
- This is a global problem. What international developments can we learn from in Aotearoa New Zealand? And what unique contribution can we make?
Wednesday 16 June
Lunchtime discussion: Perspectives on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism
Wednesday 16 June: 10.45am (NZST)
Panel 5: Preventing and countering violent extremism: Aotearoa New Zealand’s strategic approach
Reducing the risk of violent extremism requires a collective effort from government, civil society organisations, communities and all members of society. Working in partnership, the measures we can take include actively countering harmful violent extremist actions, supporting the disengagement of at-risk individuals, and building resilience to hate and violent extremism.
This session looked at how Aotearoa New Zealand can build a society resilient to violent extremism and support at risk individuals. This includes lessons we can draw from comparative international responses to terrorism and violent extremism challenges, as well as the interplay between racism, xenophobia, hate incidents and violent extremism.
This session discussed the following questions:
- What should the key elements of Aotearoa New Zealand’s strategic approach to preventing and countering violent extremism be?
- What is the role of government in combatting violent extremism?
- What is the role of civil society, faith and community groups, and individuals?
Contact
If you have any questions regarding this event please email [email protected]