Gifting of Maori land by Maori in Aotearoa/New Zealand

By

CHAPTER: 1 INTRODUCTION

This research paper is mainly concerned with a Maori theological perspective with regard to relationship to gifted land. Proposed here are some of the ideologies that underpin Maori understanding of and therefore relationship to land. Maori are a migrant people who left the ancient ancestral home and journeyed through the Pacific to Aotearoa (New Zealand).

Seven leading waka or canoes are said to have carried the seeds of the various autonomous tribal nations to the different parts of Aotearoa. The similarities between Maori language, carvings, and mythologies and those of other indigenous peoples in the Pacific, raises the possibility of a level of close relationship (Belich, 2006). The stories of the journey conveyed in song and chant certainly provide evidence of landings elsewhere before reaching Aotearoa.

Each iwi maintained autonomy even though there were blood ties between them. Aotearoa was colonized by the British, and a treaty was signed with many iwi at Waitangi on 6 February 1840. Land wars and land confiscation ensued as land hungry settlers poured in. Among them missionaries bringing their particular interpretation of Christianity to the 'pagan' people. They were determined to 'civilize' Maori through the imposition of European cultural norms.

These two oppressive partners, missionaries and colonizers, had already perfected this process on other indigenous nations. The assumption of the colonizers and evangelizers that they were encountering a nation of savages without intelligence, laws, politics or religion, who based their lives on superstitions, was absolutely incorrect. It is not possible to detail the complexities of Maori culture, religion and spirituality here, but some explanation will be included, as it is from that set of values and beliefs that Maori relationship to whenua is derived (Crozet, 2001).

Problem statement

The ideologies associated with land as understood by Maori are complex. For a contextual Maori theological perspective of land to be articulated iwi must examine the depths of ancient knowledge and rituals. The most challenging aspect involves bringing such research into dialogue with the dynamics of Scriptural perspectives regarding land. There are very few places in New Zealand, where the natives still live in the Maori.

Research objective

The primary objective of this study will be to study the Maori theological perspective with regard to relationship to gifted land.

Research question

Why and how has customary relationships with whenua(land) changed for Maori in Aotearoa?

Why did Maori gift their land in the first place ?

If the land is no longer being used for the purpose it was gifted for what do Maori expect to be done with it now?

Is the Treaty of Waitangi and many Maori historical claims adding to the issues around Maori gifted land?

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

The original inhabitants of Aotearoa were/are Maori. Aotearoa was/ is whenua Maori. However, the arrival of large numbers of Europeans seeking to establish themselves as land-holders all but left Maori landless. A landless Maori is literally a nonperson; there is no 'place' they belong (White, ...