Colonization of Maori People

Parata and Colonization

• In Māori tradition, Parata is a creature controlling tides, symbolizing a perilous situation.

• 'Te waha o te Parata' describes unexpected entry into danger, reflecting Māori experience with colonization.

• Colonization's impacts were unforeseen, with many New Zealanders unaware of its ongoing effects.

• Examples include disproportionate Māori child poverty and anti-Māori racism.

Colonization in Aotearoa

• Colonization occurs at macro and micro levels, impacting Māori-settler relationships.

• Some Pākehā still believe Māori should assimilate, but Māori desire to maintain their identity and drive decolonization.

Two Houses

• Moana Jackson: Colonization replaces one societal house with another.

• A house's foundations include resources, political systems, justice, education, health practices, and language.

• Māori co-existed independently but colonization introduced a new, dominating Pākehā house.

• Settlers viewed their society as superior, imposing it on Māori, leading to conflict over resources.

Treaty of Waitangi and Loss of Control

• The Treaty was meant for peaceful settlement but led to settler dominance and land confiscations.

• Māori population halved by early 1900s due to introduced diseases and loss of resources.

• Settler government marginalized Māori politically.

Colonization as Abusive Relationship

• The Treaty as a tool of colonization may be compared to an abusive marriage: domination, loss of personal choices and paternalistic rhetoric are used.

• Māori resisted colonization politically, physically, culturally, and spiritually.

• Wiremu Tāmihana advocated for Māori sovereignty and equality among nations.

• Kīngitanga (Māori King movement) aimed to unify Māori and was met with government invasion and land confiscation.

• Various forms of resistance emerged, including peaceful movements and political engagement.

Justifying Violence and Control

• Colonizers objectified Māori, dismissing their practices to justify violence.

• Resistance groups were killed, imprisoned, and discredited which normalized Pākehā dominance.

• Building society on violence created an underclass, leading to degradation of Māori language and customs.

Impacts of Colonization

• Māori participation in world wars didn't eliminate discrimination.

• Māori society was reduced to remnants in rural areas, with cultural practices marginalized.

• Colonization continues with ongoing protection of benefits for those in power.

• Māori face lower educational expectations, shorter life expectancy, and higher incarceration rates.

• Living in the colonizer’s house involves loss of identity and adopting foreign interpretations.

Naming Practices

• Colonization influenced everyday practices, including naming conventions.

• Māori adopted transliterated biblical names and European surnames.

• English names became more prevalent, sometimes replacing Māori names due to colonial pressures.

• Reclaiming Māori names can spark discussions about racism.

Cultural Superiority and Resistance

• Pākehā assumed Māori would adopt their ways, seeing it as superior.

• Māori used European ideas to advance their own society, not to become Pākehā.

• Māori are rebuilding their own systems, evidenced by language preservation efforts and Waitangi Tribunal settlements.

• Māori interests are becoming more visible, aiming for equality and support for all citizens.

Addressing Social Issues

• Addressing inequality makes financial sense, but solutions often assume assimilation.

• Decision-making by Māori for Māori can unravel colonial structures.

• Colonization has attacked Māori society's foundations, but resistance has been consistent. The resilience and capacity of those people determine their position in the world. Māori want to live as Māori in today's world.