The relationship between Maori and Land

Tu Tangata, Issue 8, 1 October 1982, Page 26

The relationship between Maori and Land

Land has given a feeling of identity and purpose to the Maori. Land determined whether a tribal group would survive or perish by holding it against the depredations of rivals, until the twentieth century, where the Maori turned to other symbols of identity such as his language.

Land until the nineteenth century, was a diverse reflection of the values of Maori culture. It influenced every social activity he carried out, from gathering food to fighting. Under the Maori the land was treated harmoniously and making few changes, unlike the European colonists. He regarded his home territory with intense feelings, brought out in myths, proverbs and chants.

During this period, the Maori had developed a deep understanding and used acquired knowledge to fully utilise his land in such a way they could prosper without serious side-effects to the land itself. The Maori centred his whole existence on land and its resources with pride and custom. Their religion too emphasised a close relationship between Maori and land attempting to show their loyalty towards and land they owned and occupied; and to call for ritual protection. Maori cosmogony was the base of this relationship, personifying the many different aspects of land mirroring their own feelings.

The European or Pakeha’s appearance upset the delicate balance causing serious vicissitudes. The Maori’s political inexperience cost him dearly. The expansion of the European with the unfamiliar attitudes to land was one that led to the Maori being robbed of his land and a deteriorating

status. Opposition eventually formed under the idea of unification. Conflicts in the land wars were paid for by the Maori with more land. Land was confiscated and the dispossessed harboured resentments. Also the tribal social structure continued to dissolve, its fate out of their hands.

This sad state of affairs has had a major impact on the disintegration of his community life. The urban migration of the Maori has left some lacking in certain values of land and man. It is imperative the Maori must maintain, preserve and adapt for his cultural identity to remain. Without his relationship to land the essential part of Maori culture will have disappeared by the next century. The time is now to insure this does not happen. The time has come for the Maori to learn, from his past mistakes, by preserving this own ideas, yet adapting them for today’s and tomorrow’s conditions in order to keep his rightful place.

Unity, consistency, integrity and adaptibility should help the Maori to maintain and improve its relationship with the Land. Forgive, but do not forget the European’s unjust treatment. Instil a sense of how we should use our resources into them and also learn from them their good points. The road ahead won’t be easy, but hopefully a revival of lost feelings to land, if achieved will enrich the Maori culture and its attitudes greatly.

D. Lightburn

Whangarei Boys High School

Form 5