An Indian Viewpoint

Tu Tangata, Issue 4, 1 February 1982, Page 6

An Indian Viewpoint

One of the international participants in the Wananga Whakatauira last year was a representative from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs.

As well as praising the Department of Maori Affairs for setting up the International Symposium which worked in with the conference, the Indian representative had this to say about Maoris.

“Their language is used on a daily basis among the majority of Maori 40 years and over. The Maori are a very proud people, rich in tradition and culture. They have kept their native song and religion. Nowhere in New Zealand can you not see Maorism reflected in the country, whether it is designs on their coins, the names of towns or the many marae throughout the country. The Maori people are well established in all levels of society.

The fact that New Zealand has a Minister of Maori Affairs who is Maori sitting in Parliament is a tremendous asset. The ‘unified voice’ approach is very effective. The idea of workshops attended by the people working on key issues in which they make their proposals to the Department of Maori Affairs has a lot of significance to me. I can see where tribal leaders, if they would take issues to the people and involve them in the decision making process, would solve a lot of problems we are now encountering.”