Post by Kiwi Frontline on Jan 23, 2023 2:40:04 GMT 12
The CULT OF MAORI
R B writes > Chatting to a small group of younger people recently about the history of NZ, I was intrigued by their views about the treatment of Maori and the impacts of colonisation. They were strongly of the view that Maori have been hugely mistreated, stripped of their culture and robbed of their lands. However when I asked for details and the basis for those beliefs they gave nothing substantive. Just feelings, beliefs and second-hand stories. They showed no interest in debate or discussion. They had their views and there was no chance they were wrong! I was left with the same feeling as when I speak to deeply religious people…
I believe that we’ve all been fed a false story over the years. When I think back we’ve always been told, and accepted, that the Europeans have abused and plundered Maori. It was subtly included through our schooling. Stories around land stolen, trickery of the Treaty, and atrocities during the Maori Wars. Stories of how the ghastly white man destroyed the noble savage! But that interpretation is incorrect in New Zealand!
I have read extensively the memoirs, letters and histories of early NZ settlers and missionaries. An impression that comes out of this reading is that the Maori were respected and cared for by the Europeans in many ways. The Treaty was in part in response to concerns that some vagabond Europeans (whalers, sealers, foresters) were becoming unruly and troublesome. Then there were various reviews and laws passed so as to ensure Maori were treated fairly in land deals. Special Parliamentary seats were established to ensure Maori affairs and interests were considered. Even the private sector New Zealand Company put aside 10% of its development for special housing for Maori in the 1840s. Then over the years there has been endless special treatment of Maori in housing and education. Over recent years that has all escalated to giddy heights were Maori get special treatment for virtually everything!
We need to speak up. We need change the story to reflect the reality. Our young people in particular need to understand that colonisation was a real plus for Maori. Prior to the arrival of the Europeans, Maori were a desperately primitive people. To say they were hungry and cold is an exaggeration but not by much! Their housing, clothing and food was poor. They had no metal tools or weapons…not even earthenware pots! The main cooking method was just a hole in the ground covered over by earth and hot rocks. Cannibalism was routine, as was slavery. Infanticide, of baby girls was widespread. War between the tribes was devastating.
Maori were desperate for goods from the Europeans and they willingly exchanged land for these. Yes, it may have been sold at prices which today look cheap, but sold it was. 200 years ago unbroken land was plentiful and had little value. Maori were an astute people and typically drove a hard bargain during the sales processes. I’m sure some shady deals were done, but equally by Maori who reportedly often sold the same piece of land more than once to more than one party! But sell they did. To turn around 180 years later and claim they were tricked is a crude distortion of history.
Some land was confiscated as a penalty for the uprisings of the Maori wars. But rightfully so! These were acts of treason and rebellion against a legitimate government. 3,000 people lost their lives. Of course they should be punished. In the words of Sir Apirana Ngata, one of the finest of Maori who did so much for Maori:
“The Government placed in the hands of the Queen of England, the sovereignty and the authority to make laws. Some sections of the Maori people violated that authority. War arose from this and blood was spilled. The law came into operation and land was taken in payment. This itself is a Maori custom - revenge, plunder to avenge a wrong. It was their own chiefs who ceded that right to the Queen. The confiscations cannot therefore be objected to in the light of the Treaty.”
“…in the whole world I doubt whether any native race has been so well treated by a European people as the Maori”.
TIME TO SPEAK UP.
Our ancestors did so much good in this country, particularly for Maori. We are one people and racial distinctions should be irrelevant.
THE CULT OF MAORI IS A NONSENSE!
R B writes > Chatting to a small group of younger people recently about the history of NZ, I was intrigued by their views about the treatment of Maori and the impacts of colonisation. They were strongly of the view that Maori have been hugely mistreated, stripped of their culture and robbed of their lands. However when I asked for details and the basis for those beliefs they gave nothing substantive. Just feelings, beliefs and second-hand stories. They showed no interest in debate or discussion. They had their views and there was no chance they were wrong! I was left with the same feeling as when I speak to deeply religious people…
I believe that we’ve all been fed a false story over the years. When I think back we’ve always been told, and accepted, that the Europeans have abused and plundered Maori. It was subtly included through our schooling. Stories around land stolen, trickery of the Treaty, and atrocities during the Maori Wars. Stories of how the ghastly white man destroyed the noble savage! But that interpretation is incorrect in New Zealand!
I have read extensively the memoirs, letters and histories of early NZ settlers and missionaries. An impression that comes out of this reading is that the Maori were respected and cared for by the Europeans in many ways. The Treaty was in part in response to concerns that some vagabond Europeans (whalers, sealers, foresters) were becoming unruly and troublesome. Then there were various reviews and laws passed so as to ensure Maori were treated fairly in land deals. Special Parliamentary seats were established to ensure Maori affairs and interests were considered. Even the private sector New Zealand Company put aside 10% of its development for special housing for Maori in the 1840s. Then over the years there has been endless special treatment of Maori in housing and education. Over recent years that has all escalated to giddy heights were Maori get special treatment for virtually everything!
We need to speak up. We need change the story to reflect the reality. Our young people in particular need to understand that colonisation was a real plus for Maori. Prior to the arrival of the Europeans, Maori were a desperately primitive people. To say they were hungry and cold is an exaggeration but not by much! Their housing, clothing and food was poor. They had no metal tools or weapons…not even earthenware pots! The main cooking method was just a hole in the ground covered over by earth and hot rocks. Cannibalism was routine, as was slavery. Infanticide, of baby girls was widespread. War between the tribes was devastating.
Maori were desperate for goods from the Europeans and they willingly exchanged land for these. Yes, it may have been sold at prices which today look cheap, but sold it was. 200 years ago unbroken land was plentiful and had little value. Maori were an astute people and typically drove a hard bargain during the sales processes. I’m sure some shady deals were done, but equally by Maori who reportedly often sold the same piece of land more than once to more than one party! But sell they did. To turn around 180 years later and claim they were tricked is a crude distortion of history.
Some land was confiscated as a penalty for the uprisings of the Maori wars. But rightfully so! These were acts of treason and rebellion against a legitimate government. 3,000 people lost their lives. Of course they should be punished. In the words of Sir Apirana Ngata, one of the finest of Maori who did so much for Maori:
“The Government placed in the hands of the Queen of England, the sovereignty and the authority to make laws. Some sections of the Maori people violated that authority. War arose from this and blood was spilled. The law came into operation and land was taken in payment. This itself is a Maori custom - revenge, plunder to avenge a wrong. It was their own chiefs who ceded that right to the Queen. The confiscations cannot therefore be objected to in the light of the Treaty.”
“…in the whole world I doubt whether any native race has been so well treated by a European people as the Maori”.
TIME TO SPEAK UP.
Our ancestors did so much good in this country, particularly for Maori. We are one people and racial distinctions should be irrelevant.
THE CULT OF MAORI IS A NONSENSE!