Lecture 7: Peossess of Colonisation

Define Colonisation using Dr Emma LaRocque’s Definition

The “invasion, dispossession and subjugation of a peoples… The result of such incursion is the dispossession of vast amounts of lands from the original inhabitants. This is often legalised after the fact”.

What is colonisation

• A deliberate process

• Based on assumed Superiority of knowing and doing

• Involves appropriating property and other rights

What are the key ides from PRE Treaty ?

Maori Health

• Good Health System

• Fit and healthy, described as Muscular

Land & Systems

• Land was owned communally

• Hapu would migrate across lands ( Resources & Trade)

The ‘Noble Savage’

• Early explorers were reported with positive health

• Estimated population at the time was 100 000 (1769)

What Happened after the treaty

• half of population had been killed, affected by colonisation

what caused this:

• Intertribal warfare / NZ land wars

• Introduction of infectious diseases, tobacco and alcohol

• Disruption of society

• half of population had been killed, affected by colonisation

What are the Processess of Colonisation

• Land Appropriation

• Cultural Subjugation

• Loss Of Political Power

• Social Deprivation

Name the two policies and legislations for Land appropriation as well as define it

Land Appropriation is taking of land without permission of the original inhabitants

Native Lands Acts 1865-1873 - awarded Individual titles of ownership to communal lands (and under 1873 Act Land could be sold without informing other owners)

Public works Acts 1864 - Land could be acquired by the crown for roads, railways, and other public works ( defense posts, housing, developments), sometimes without compensation

Example in Aotearoa - Burning in Ngati Whati Ora Orakei to displace people because they didn’t want to move and moved everyone to live individually in state homes.

What is cultural subjugation

Bringing someone under control or domination

• Creation of policies and laws which actively favour one culture over another

eg, Tohunga supression act 1907 - Prevented Tohunga from giving any medical support, trying to replace traditional health systems with westerns

Native schools Act 1858 - Banned Maori language in schools

• Creation of Social structures that favour one group over another

Define Loss of Political Power

• sovereignty was not ceded

• Aotearoa governed by a British colonial system ( laws and policies favour on - Maori)

• Maori Representation Act 1867 - Restricted to 4 seats in parliament (they weren’t allowed before because we didn’t operate in a western way of life therefore leading to loss of political power)

Social Deprivation

Colonisation causes soacial Deprivation for Maori

• Breaches of the treaty created a dual economy in which Pakeha prospered while Maori struggled

eg.

• one group privileged and one disadvantaged (Maori)

• Deliberately undeveloped Maori after forcing everyone to state living to keep them in the lower end of the social ladder

• Redistribution of wealth meant that Maori had their resources and Taonga taken away from them making them look Deprived from each-other, health care etc.