W
William18
Guest
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gingergenius @ Dec 23 2009, 01:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>
This is true.
However, the Maori side of NZ culture is unique to NZ. Like it or not, the Pakeha side is derived from British culture and heavily influenced (I presume) by the USA and Australia - in other words it's not as unique.
What's more, there is the question of ratios. I have a lot of respect for NZ compared to other countries governed by white immigrants because the indigenous culture seems to be far more integrated and respected; however I'd still say the fact that Maoris themselves, and their language, are in a considerable minority, means their part in NZ culture will reflect this.
Compare this to a place like Britain - about 90% of the most innovative music we make now is influenced from our Caribbean population; one of our national dishes derives from the South Asian population, and numerous other parts of our mainstream culture have a definite 'non Native' feel. Yet still, everyone who comes to the UK learns English. 60+ million of us speak a native language - whereas in NZ it's less than 5%. And while our culture has, as I explained, taken on parts of others, it remains distinctly British.
Clearly, if you grow up in New Zealand you are just as much a New Zelander as anyone - race doesn't come into it. But it's different when it comes to culture. The Maori culture survives far better than any indigenous culture in other white majority countries in the Americas or Australia. I don't think it's a coincidence that New Zealand is the only place that has had large race-related institutions to preserve the indigenous culture. So if this is how Maori tradition is best preserved, then so be it.
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You make some brilliant points.
I recently studied quite a bit about Maori-Pakeha relations. In the early 1900's Maori were certainly marginalized in society and did suffer quite a few injustices. The loss of land, in equal laws, different benefits etc but still their position in society was never that bad. It wasn't like Australia where aboriginal children were taken from their parents, or like South Africa where apartheid has only been gone 20 years and then you have Southern USA.
We do make a big effort to keep Maori culture alive. Not many people can speak Maori but everyone knows some common words, Maori culture is rightfully still a big part of New Zealand culture.
This is true.
However, the Maori side of NZ culture is unique to NZ. Like it or not, the Pakeha side is derived from British culture and heavily influenced (I presume) by the USA and Australia - in other words it's not as unique.
What's more, there is the question of ratios. I have a lot of respect for NZ compared to other countries governed by white immigrants because the indigenous culture seems to be far more integrated and respected; however I'd still say the fact that Maoris themselves, and their language, are in a considerable minority, means their part in NZ culture will reflect this.
Compare this to a place like Britain - about 90% of the most innovative music we make now is influenced from our Caribbean population; one of our national dishes derives from the South Asian population, and numerous other parts of our mainstream culture have a definite 'non Native' feel. Yet still, everyone who comes to the UK learns English. 60+ million of us speak a native language - whereas in NZ it's less than 5%. And while our culture has, as I explained, taken on parts of others, it remains distinctly British.
Clearly, if you grow up in New Zealand you are just as much a New Zelander as anyone - race doesn't come into it. But it's different when it comes to culture. The Maori culture survives far better than any indigenous culture in other white majority countries in the Americas or Australia. I don't think it's a coincidence that New Zealand is the only place that has had large race-related institutions to preserve the indigenous culture. So if this is how Maori tradition is best preserved, then so be it.
[/b][/quote]
You make some brilliant points.
I recently studied quite a bit about Maori-Pakeha relations. In the early 1900's Maori were certainly marginalized in society and did suffer quite a few injustices. The loss of land, in equal laws, different benefits etc but still their position in society was never that bad. It wasn't like Australia where aboriginal children were taken from their parents, or like South Africa where apartheid has only been gone 20 years and then you have Southern USA.
We do make a big effort to keep Maori culture alive. Not many people can speak Maori but everyone knows some common words, Maori culture is rightfully still a big part of New Zealand culture.
