But power, whether hegemonic or institutional, is continuously shifting and being redefined requiring structural reconsolidation of spaces. This can be observed across a number of fronts.
Currently, the new Maori language strategy is in front of the Maori Affairs Select Committee.
It transfers ownership of Te Taura Whiri (Maori Language Commission) and Te Mangai Paho (Maori Broadcast Funding Agency), as well as the responsibilities of Te Putahi Paho over Maori Television, to a new entity called Te Matawai.
This will allow iwi/Maori to design their own policies, funding and evaluative structures across the Maori language sector.
Last week Nga Pae o te Maramatanga, the Maori Centre of Research Excellence (Core), submitted its pre-proposal for funding in 2016.
At the centre of its bid is a new national governance model based on distributive representation and critical collaboration.
It will bring together Maori working across the universities and Te Wananga o Aotearoa to appoint researchers, community leaders, iwi and strategic stakeholders to its board.
It is a clear expression of reasserting self-determination across the research sector after the existence of a Maori Core was put in jeopardy earlier this year.
Next month, another national hui on kohanga will be convened to decide on a new governance model.
This will allow negotiations to take place with the Government on providing the kohanga movement its own distinct kaupapa Maori space in legislation that secures their own policy, funding and regulatory framework.
This could also extend to kura kaupapa Maori and wananga in the future as well. However, implementing a democratic model is a required first step.
The Maori Party is beginning to rebuild their base with their new leadership. Working in Government, whether with National or Labour, is an essential battlefield where Maori must continue to have a presence.
Beyond policy gains, the Maori Party needs to redefine the identity and expectations of the political space they seek to occupy with their constituents. The current regional tour, albeit under a ministerial banner, is a good start.
When the Mana Movement, or equivalent, re-establishes themselves in opposition, they will also need to redefine themselves and the space they occupy.
However, instead of resuming an oppositional binary, both the Maori Party and Mana Movement need to understand each other's roles.
There are other major restructures occurring, including Te Puni Kokiri, Maori Television and Te Ture Whenua (Maori Land Act).
And a lot is at stake. Behind each of these restructures are petitions, hikoi, protests, tribunal claims and years of struggle that fought for their establishment in the first place.
While restructures address contemporary shifts and aim to remain grounded upon their original intent, it is the recalibration against changing power structures that is at the core of reconsolidating spaces.
Whether each one is successful or not is something for Maori to decide. But it shows that with an evolving renaissance an evolution of activism follows.
Struggling for new spaces or consolidating existing spaces are both important forms of activism required moving forward.
• Chris Tooley holds a PhD in political philosophy from Cambridge and was senior advisor to former Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples. He now works as a consultant, based in Wellington.
