What’s in a name?
Aotearoa – Land of the Long White Cloud. Ao – meaning World, tea – white, roa – long. Restoring Ma¯ ori name is important: acknowledges indigenous people. ‘‘We Europeans’’ brought diseases, wiped out huge Ma¯ ori population, also brought booze, rabbits, weasels, even two legged weasels, and their religion.
Attempted to put Ma¯ ori on Reservations, same way they did Australian Aborigines. Ma¯ ori defied them.
As announced recently, in 2022 our country’s history will be taught in schools. Unlike my own education – things Ma¯ ori were derogatory.
Ma¯ ori were punished severely for speaking their language at school. I hated my name, preferred my Pakeha nickname.
Over 40 years later I recognised my attitude to things Ma¯ ori was demeaning and quit using my nickname.
Ma¯ ori families had children taken from their homes and sent away to live with strangers.
My friend’s father was taken as a child from his wha¯ nau in Kaitaia and sent to Gore, never returned to his family.
Ma¯ ori children committing minor offences were sent to Borstal. My 13-year-old brother accused of an offence he denied, was sent to Invercargill Borstal for two years.
J Rae: Ma¯ ori did not have the same benefits as Pakeha.
The Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975/85 which established the Waitangi Tribunal, were empowered to investigate breaches of the Treaty by the New Zealand Government or any statecontrolled body.
For example, when Ma¯ ori answered the call to arms to help Britain, those fortunate enough to return home, were not entitled to War Pensions, their Pakeha comrades received. General Rommel, German tank Commander recognised Ma¯ ori valour and stated ‘‘If Ma¯ ori were on our side, we would have won the war’’.
That was the 19th century. The Treaty: a result of managing lawlessness from colonialists, traders, land sales etc. initiated by Ma¯ ori. Acknowledge the wrong: Time to live in harmony. Ma¯ ori history is we European history.
‘‘What is the greatest thing in the world?’’ God and people. Te Atua, te tangata.
Huriata Weeks, Timaru