A sense of unity and togetherness - as indigenous leaders from the United States and New Zealand meet. 

New Zealand's first Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Symposium is being held in Parliament today. 

It's seen as an opportunity for Māori leadership to listen to Native American leaders - pursuing a similar journey of self-determination. 

Ngāti Toa leader Helmut Modlik says similar issues are being felt across these communities. 

He says they are planning action in relation to the coalition's policies on Te Ao Māori. 

"That's a priority for me, out of this symposium today, is to learn how we can give effect to the wairua, or the spirit of unity that is clearly in our community - and how we can turn that into something actionable," Modlik said. 

The meeting, titled 'Sharing lessons from those who have walked the sovereignty and kotahitanga path' is being held from 8:30am to 4:00pm at the Parliament Buildings in Wellington. 

Speakers include iwi and Native American leaders. 

New Zealand's first Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Symposium comes just days after US President Joe Biden's historic apology to Native Americans over abuse and deaths at Government-run boarding schools.