A. Maori View

Te Ao Hou, March 1967, Page 19

A. Maori View Just as machines designed by Richard Arkwright and others ushered in the age of industrialisation and spelt death to the old agricultural society, new machines are going to completely change our way of life. Already there is instantaneous communication with almost any part of the world via ‘Compac’. Satellites are relaying instant live television programmes across oceans and continents; supersonic passenger aircrafts are carrying hundreds of passengers travelling between countries, in a fraction of the time that it took five years ago; space craft are landing on the moon. Man has already walked in outer space. The atom and hydrogen bombs are things of the past. Artificial organs are replacing worn out human ones. Wonders never cease. We are indeed living in an exciting era. With all this technical know-how it is important that new inventions are used for the benefit of mankind. It is evident that those in authority have a responsibility to ensure that the new discoveries are used intelligently. Today in New Zealand we are feeling the impact of one of these discoveries. It is changing our habits and our lives. It is bringing us face to face with other people, their way of life and their aspirations, and some of their ways are rubbing off on us. Whether we like it or not, television is here to stay. Its potential to do good for the people is dependent upon those who are responsible for its policies and future development. It is evident that television has a vital role to play, and will influence this country's future. We in New Zealand are fortunate that our race relations are such as they are—the best in the world. However, we can ill afford to sit back on our laurels with a ‘not to worry’ philosophy. We are becoming more aware of each other—some Pakehas thinking in terms of a ‘Maori problem’ and on the other hand some Maoris thinking in terms of a ‘Pakeha problem’; each group blaming the other for its frustrations; making false generalisations and more often imagining the other to be a person governed by altogether different instincts, almost as if the other were a different species of animal. Recently, TV viewers were hosts to a representative group of people who were not from outer space nor from a far off land, but fellow New Zealanders. I imagine that the programme was like Topsy—it ‘just grew’. I even doubt whether the producer or those responsible knew where they were heading. However, the product that was finally presented was one on Integration through Maori eyes. Geographically it covered a lot of ground. It was refreshingly different. Viewers were able to meet people from all walks of life and each one had a point of view. They were at ease, frank and honest, and captivated their hosts. They communicated with their eyes, their faces and their hands. I hadn't realized the effectiveness of using the hands until one of the visitors described his feelings in this way. The message came through loud and clear. These people demonstrated clearly that they wanted to be themselves, they wanted to be understood, and to be accepted for what they are. We were able, in the short time available, to peep into their past experiences, to see what they are facing today and to look into the future with them. The accepted theory is that with the move to town, the Maori will give up his old ways and interests and will inevitably live like the Pakeha. What the programme demonstrated to us was that the Maori migrant is becoming more Maori than the rural Maori, like the Scots of Dunedin out-Scotting the Scots in Edinburgh. People are still returning to their maraes, others are creating maraes in their new environment. Their problems are not peculiar to them but are universal. We must not forget that when we talk to a Maori or to a Pakeha, we are simply talking to another man. My family and I enjoyed the programme. So did all the other Maori people I spoke to, and I think this was because it said things that need to be said, that a lot of us are not prepared to say for fear of hurting our friends and neighbours. This of course is how it appeared to me through my Maori eyes. As a member of the Department of Maori Affairs I was annoyed, perturbed and to put it mildly, a little incensed at the manner in which the Department was portrayed. I will concede the point that the Department is not perfect, but on the other hand there are thous-

ands of people today, including myself, my family and many hundreds of relatives, who are indebted to the Department and its officers. So brief were the glimpses, and this applies to the programme as a whole, that it made the Department appear to be a Pakeha organisation, pushing the Maori people around. It is indeed a pity that Maori officers of the Department were not included. This would have put things into perspective. On donning my Pakeha glasses, I saw very few Pakehas being asked to express a point of view. The few that were asked did well—especially Mr Geddes, who is apparently giving unstinting service to a group of Maori people by running a homework scheme. I thought his analogy one of the best I have heard—that if he were living in a French community and the means of communicating was in the French language, he would not hesitate to approach French families to give his children assistance, and if he were a Maori he would ask Pakeha families to help him and his children with their school work. Norman Perry's statement on integration was excellent. His brief appearance and final comment that integration did not mean sameness but harmony was brilliant, and to my mind was the redeeming feature of the programme. The N.Z.B.C. can rightly claim that this was a ‘pipe opener’. It can say that it was presenting a Maori point of view. It can argue that it has limited resources, but it cannot claim that it presented a balanced picture. I think that Reggie Harrison did a grand job. I imagine from his accent that he is an Englishman, possibly from the southern region. I suspect that he is a member of a minority group, hence his apparent enjoyment in his presentation. Last but not least he had that air of a political scientist about him. To the rangatiras of the N.Z.B.C., thank you—for a one-eyed programme. Allow me to remind you that you have an almost sacred duty to perform, and that you have a vital role in ensuring that your productions do not present bits and pieces of the truth, but present