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The Māori
Today...
Māoritanga - Māori tradition and customs

Māori land protests revived in the 1960's. In 1967 the Māori Affairs Amendment Act proposed compulsory measures for the improvement of Māori land. The Ratana movement pushed for the ratification of the Treaty of Waitangi, and became a political power.

During the 1970's, land protest movements grew, gathering strength. In 1975, a Māori land rights march was led by the great lady from Hokianga, Dame Whina Cooper. The march started at the top of the North Island and continued south to terminate at Parliament Buildings in Wellington. The marchers wanted control, retention and management of Māori land to remain with the Māori and their descendants.

In 1978 Eva Rickard promoted a movement to reclaim Tainui land, which had been taken to use for defence purposes, and later made into a golf course. This movement led to four years of non-violent protest. Since this time, the Waitangi Tribunal has heard many claims.

In 1970, Nga Tamatoa was formed to become one of the largest protest groups, lobbying for Māori cultural identity, and putting forward grievances against the loss of Māori land. Nga Tamatoa's continuing actions forced the public to come to terms with Māori issues.

The Māori Affairs Amendment Act was voted in 1974, as a result of Nga Tamatoa's actions.

In the Parliamentary elections of 1975, two Māori candidates succeeded in representing circumscriptions usually represented by Europeans.

 
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In 1977 The Waitangi Tribunal was established, under the Treaty of Waitangi Act of 1975, with the aim of studying any legislation, policy or practice which may have been considered by Māori as a violation of the Treaty of Waitangi.

In 1985, the jurisdiction of the Tribunal was extended back to 1840, signing date of the Treaty. The Tribunal consists of the Chief Judge of the Māori Land Court plus 16 members of whom four must be Māori.

In 1993 the people of New Zealand voted a Mixed Member Proportional system of government.

In 1996, fifteen Māori MPs entered the 120 member Parliament of New Zealand. This is the highest number of Māori MPs on record. Although the Māori were well integrated into New Zealand society, it was necessary to equally integrate their culture.

Three elements helped to accelerate cultural integration: the growth of the Māori population, mixed Māori-Pakeha (white) marriages, and the move by many Māori from the country into the cities. In view of the high rate of mixed marriages, there are now very few Māori of pure Māori descent in New Zealand.

The importance of Māori identity is brought out in a number of political, economic and social institutions. The Minister of Māori Affairs and Māori Deputies encourage Māori interests in today's society.

Other structures such as The New Zealand Māori Council, The Māori Women's Welfare League and the Māori Education Foundation do their best to promote "Māoritanga" (Māori tradition) among the Māori. Nearly all cities have Māori cultural festivals, and a Polynesian festival on a national level takes place every two years.

Māoritanga is instructed in the urban Maraes for the young city Māori, separated from his tribal roots. Here, they can meet and learn the history of their people. Māori symbols and treasures are now considered as a source of pride and identity, rather than memories of a past world.

Māori radio and television stations ensure the continuation of the Māori language. Totally Māori schools have grown, and are increasing in number. Gradually more Māori students are arriving at higher levels of education, a figure that hopefully will rise.

Both Māori men and women play key roles in all aspects of the various professions today.

 

Main source of research :
"An unsettled History" - Alan Ward
"Kinds of Peace" - Keith Sinclair
 
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Related Links
About the Waitangi Tribunal

The Waitangi Tribunal for schools

 

 

 Please be aware that this website is a personal homepage. It would therefore be wise to cross check information which I have presented here. A list of many official New Zealand history sites may be found within my Links section.