Why Justice Needs to be Added to DEI in Aotearoa New Zealand

In discussions about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), we often focus on creating environments that celebrate differences, ensure fair treatment, and include all voices. While these are essential components, one crucial element is frequently overlooked: Justice.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, where the impacts of colonisation are still deeply felt by Māori and other marginalised groups, justice is not just an option—it is a necessity. Without it, DEI initiatives risk being superficial and fail to address the underlying inequalities that continue to hold communities back.

Understanding the Legacy of Colonisation in Aotearoa

Aotearoa’s history of colonisation, much like in other parts of the world, has had a long-lasting and profound effect on the indigenous population. Despite Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi), which was intended to protect Māori sovereignty and rights, colonisation led to widespread land loss, cultural suppression, and systemic inequalities that persist to this day. These injustices are not just historical—they manifest in present-day disparities in health, education, income, and well-being.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, though valuable, often stop short of addressing these root causes of inequality. While DEI may focus on ensuring representation and fairness, justice is about repairing the harm done and ensuring that the systems that create inequality are transformed. Justice involves an active commitment to addressing the wrongs of the past and creating real, lasting change.

Why Justice is Essential in Aotearoa’s DEI Landscape

Incorporating justice into DEI initiatives in Aotearoa is crucial because it acknowledges that the playing field isn’t just uneven—it was built that way. Colonial structures have created a society where the dominant culture has had access to privileges and resources that were systematically denied to Māori and other communities. While inclusion and equity aim to bring everyone into the fold, justice ensures that those who have been harmed by these systems are given the tools and opportunities to rebuild and thrive.

But justice in Aotearoa, and elsewhere, requires more than just recognition—it demands action. To move forward, we must address the injustices that have been visited upon many of our communities throughout modern history, alongside those experienced by tāngata whenua. This means committing to decolonisation, supporting the revival of te reo Māori (the Māori language), respecting tikanga (customs), and ensuring that Māori are not only included but are given the opportunity to lead the way forward in what directly affects them.

This also involves allowing individuals from other communities, such as our Chinese, Indian, and Pacific whānau (families), who have historically faced disadvantages due to colonial policies, to take the lead in the journey towards repair and to offer their solutions for moving forward together.

Justice is Not Just about Marginalised Peoples — It’s a Shared Responsibility

A key point in adding justice to DEI is understanding that the burden of addressing these systemic inequalities shouldn’t be placed solely on the shoulders of those who have been marginalised.

In Aotearoa, Māori and other communities should lead the process of reclaiming their rights, but they should not have to carry the full weight of change. Those who have benefited from the privilege of being part of the dominant culture—the Crown, institutions, and individuals—have a responsibility to actively support this process.

Justice isn’t about blame or guilt—it’s about responsibility and accountability. For those who have benefited from systems of privilege, justice means recognising that advantage and using it to help dismantle the structures that have created inequalities. It requires more than just passive support; it demands active engagement, allyship, and a willingness to self-reflect and make meaningful changes that go beyond surface-level gestures.

Bringing Justice into DEI for Real Change

In Aotearoa, incorporating justice into Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts means recognising the country’s unique colonial history and honouring the promises of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This requires a critical examination of the historical context of Te Tiriti, understanding what its articles meant to both Māori and Pākehā at the time, and exploring how this understanding can inform present-day efforts to redress the wrongs of the past.

Acknowledging Heather Came’s work with Critical Treaty Analysis, I think it is clear that DEI initiatives must not be divorced from the broader pursuit of social justice and the rectification of colonial harms. Came emphasises the need to critically analyse the power imbalances embedded in Te Tiriti, reminding us that genuine equity requires acknowledging the Treaty’s principles and taking active steps to address breaches and historical injustices.

By incorporating this critical approach into DEI frameworks, we can move beyond tokenistic gestures and tackle the systemic inequities rooted in Aotearoa’s colonial history.

When we add justice to DEI, we are not just talking about bringing people to the table—we are talking about changing the table itself. Justice ensures that the systems we operate within are fair and equitable for all, and that those who have been historically disadvantaged have the power to influence and shape the future.

At its core, justice challenges us to go deeper. It asks us to recognise that true diversity, equity, and inclusion cannot happen until we address the historical and structural injustices that have created barriers for marginalised groups.

When DEI becomes JEDI, we commit to a vision of Aotearoa where everyone—not just the privileged—can thrive. This is how we build a future that honours the past and creates a truly inclusive society for all.