To the casual observer, there seem to be a few problems between the Maori people and New Zealand’s other ethnic groups. The Maori people make up 15 percent of the population and have a moderate level of influence in government. Of course, not everything is perfect as with all things involving indigenous people; the past is a bit more colored.
Today, the indigenous people of New Zealand experience lower life expectancies and income, higher levels of crime, a greater instance of health problems, and other issues that indicate the Maori people are receiving the short end of the stick.
Perhaps the title of this entry is a bit of a misnomer, because New Zealanders, as they would say, are very keen to protect the history and culture of the Maori. At the University of Auckland, much of the signage is written in both the Maori and English language, something uncommon for a language 5 percent of the population speaks. This speaks to the fact that people here are very intent on protecting Maori culture, including the language. These efforts to protect culture are found in other areas of society as well.
For example, both the All Blacks Rugby team and the Maori All Blacks regularly play in the same black jersey, but the Maoris' jerseys are adorned with a distinct Maori print. In the Te Papa museum located in Wellington, the capital city, there is a floor designated to the history and customs of New Zealand’s indigenous population. In my experience there really does seem to be an amicable relationship between the two largest ethnic groups.
This stands in stark contrast to how Native Americans are positioned in the United States. Perhaps the two most revealing examples of where things stand can be found in our nation’s capital. For instance, Washington, D.C.’s National Museum of the American Indian boasts an impressive shell but is hollow on the inside. This first example is representative of other olive branches or helping hands that the United States government has extended to the Native American people.
I’m not debating the merits for or against changing the name of Washington, D.C's football team, but I would like to bring to light the fact that this issue has a very low level of practicality for Native Americans. With gross levels of poverty, health concerns, and lackluster levels of virtually every other metric you think measures quality of life, it does not seem that changing the name of a professional sports team is the most pressing issue or most effective use of resources, especially when polls seem to indicate only a vocal minority of Native Americans are offended by the term.
Looking back at New Zealand, things are different. Still afflicted by the aforementioned health and economic problems, the effort coming to integrate Maori people into New Zealand culture has all the features of something genuine. Granted, I haven't been here forever and recognize that I don't fully grasp much of the nuance behind this issue. From a foreigner’s view, however, I see many positive aspects in how New Zealand treats its indigenous people that I have seen missing in America’s efforts.
New Zealand has the Maori language in the name of many of its places, signs, and colloquial greetings. The United States has none of those things. The biggest issue for discussion in each capital is also markedly different. In New Zealand it is political representation; the Maori have a party on the ballot and obtain some representation in parliament thanks to the proportional electoral system. In D.C. we see the heated debate about the name of the Washington Redskins, but no true efforts for greater political representation or assistance of the Native American population. Your average American knows very little regarding current Native American issues.
There is a palpable authenticity about the way European and Maori New Zealanders interact. The Maori have many richly unique customs that they are able to maintain in modern day society thanks to the fostering of these cultural elements by other ethnic groups in the country. Although, to be fair a critique can be made that the Maori culture has been commercialized, since you can pay a healthy sum of cash to have an “authentic Maori experience.”
The difference between the two countries I’ve lived in is interesting, and I am curious as to what accounts for the different trajectories. Was it because the Maori, known for their acceptance of Western culture, were more open to change? Did American manifest destiny and New Zealand’s strict immigration policies promote two different cultures? It’s likely we’ll never know for sure, but I think speculation and reflection about such matters allows us to better understand them and be more thoughtful about the past, present, and future.
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