rugbymatt

I am not usually in this forum, so forgive me for my butting in, but after a conversation with some people in the pub a few nights back, and then talking to my best friend who lives in the Hawkes Bay area i am interested in your contacts with the Maori.
Have you found them to be a load of Hori (her word not mine i add!), have you mixed well with them, have they accepted you, have you even met any?

I have a few Maori friends, one has been my best friend since my first trip to OZ when i was 17 and i have found the ones i know and mix with in london, really nice warm and spiritual people, but they have some tales of bad ones.

What is your take, how do you find them, etc.

Thanks.

Littletoe

I've found them to be wonderful people. When I was on my way to NZ the first time, I stopped over in Tonga, and these Kiwis were going on about these KFC munching, Lion Red drinking, wife beating criminals. They had terrible tales, but I went with an open mind. I find the culture very interesting, and as I said, I've always been treated warmly. I think they're awesome people.

Boopy

I work and socialise with Maori, it's like everywhere in the world you get good and bad. Most people here in general are very nice, helpful and friendly. Maori are no different, most that I know are very european in attitude and looks. Where I live they are way out numbered by Pacific people.

rugbymatt

I wasnt in any way saying they were different, as i said, i have a few Maori friends, and my best mate is a pure blood whos family are very traditional, but it was something said in a pub that made me really wonder how others have felt about them.

Apple12

It would be nice to have some rational comments about this, after one poster's comments yesterday, who basically seemed to think someone with a brown skin should be avoided at all cost, lest they tattoo her son and make him learn another language against her will.... and drag him down into the lower echelons of society.

To answer your questions, yes I do mix with them, have some good friends amongst them, and have gained a lot out of my friendships. It is always good to get another perspective on life, really friendly, genuine people.

There are bad eggs and bad families in every creed colour and race.

rugbymatt

i definitely agree, my experiences with them have all been positive, yes they have been outside NZ but positive all the same, but one opinion i heard the other night was from someone who had worked in Auckland for a year and he had nothing but bad to say, that was swiftly followed by some comments about them being black, halfwits, impossible to educate and too easy to turn to crime, vice and drugs.

sniffydog

I live in Yorkshire - the same has been said about the population of Leeds!

Beachcombers

That is the opinion of many white NZérs and (some)expats I have met. Alot of resentment I believe, stems from various treaty settlements, the whole foreshore debate, welfare state.....etc

From what little I understand (something I am addressing, but it's a BIG subject) the treaty of Waitangi has left some provisions for the Maori, which is now viewed as "inconvenient" by some NZérs and seems to be reflected in the policy's of the National Party. (Correct me if I am wrong).

Personally I think New Zealand has struck a good balance on the whole, I have met many Maori and have only had positive experiences, friendly, welcoming. I love the Maori culture and wish all New Zealanders would be proud of it.

We are hoping to raise a family here, I would love my kids to be fluent in Maori, I believe it is a very important part of New Zealand to be able to identify with and represent. It is uniquely Kiwi.

Boopy

I did "the treaty of Waitangi training", it gave an awareness into maori beliefs and spirituality. They are people with good and solid beliefs, but their youth have gone off the rails and won't follow the elders. Like everyone has said, this is the same world over. Yes - some may have a big bee in their bonnet because of the way the Maori were treat in the past, but this needs to be addressed by New Zealanders with support or the problems will continue.

Everybody should be looked at as an individual and not categorised or labelled.

mardybum

We are moving from Oz to the BOP next month. Although I am not yet familiar with the above mentioned treaty settlements etc, I completely agree with your comment re our children learning the language. We are first language Welsh (yes, it does still exist and no, we don't just speak it to talk about people behind their backs! ), so learning Maori will be high on our list...
Here in Perth, anti Aboriginal attitudes are rife, which I find completely disgusting. Speak as you find is my motto - there are all kinds of good and bad people of all colours and creeds.

Littletoe

We are hoping to raise a family here, I would love my kids to be fluent in Maori, I believe it is a very important part of New Zealand to be able to identify with and represent. It is uniquely Kiwi.[/QUOTE]

I second that! I hope both my girls will learn Maori, take an interest in the culture, etc. Its a very important aspect of their culture. Same as learning about English history. I think the language is beautiful, and I really love the spiritual faith that they have. Just from a personal point of view, I worked as a counsellor for women in crisis in NZ a few years ago and I had a miscarriage. The Maori women supported me and offered me truly beautiful words of support and healing. It really helped me deal with the loss. I have only encountered Maori that are proud and educated about their culture. I appreciate that setting up in Auckland I will hear mixed views.

Apple12

A friend of mine has just given me some whakatauki (maori sayings) for me to hand on to someone in my family who is having trouble. They seem applicable to this forum too:

Ka mate kainga tahi, ka ora kainga rua.
When one home is gone, it is replaced by another.

He manga wai koia kia kore e whitikia.
Is a river never to be crossed?

Tungia te ururua, kia tupu whakaritorito te tapu o te harakeke.
Clear the undergrowth so that the new shoots of the flax will grow.

danny.f

Our personal experiences are limited,but much the same.I can't yet tell the difference between Maori and Pacific,but they all seem to be well friendly.
I actually find it easier to hold a conversation with Maori/Pacific than White. But what the hell-everyone's pretty cool.

donnaf

Our kids are learning Maori at school, which we encourage and welcome. As Danny said we have limited experience but certainly after picking our kids up from school we've found that all the kids, no matter what background, are polite and really nice kids.

Beachcombers

Just wanted to add, that a second language is so important. My mum is from the Philippines, but my dad was one of these "English is good enough for me, so it's good enough for my son" type of guys. So he forbade my mum from teaching me Filipino and Spanish. As a result, I feel there is a huge gap in my identity as when I travel to the Philippines, I feel out of sorts....Makes me sad sometimes.

When we have kids, language is going to open up so many new horizons. Melissa is Finnish and speaks three languages and for our little Kiwi's being able to speak Maori/Finnish/English is going to open up such huge opportunities for them. Gonna make it a top priority for their education.

And for those people who complain that their kids are "forced" to learn Maori, what the hell are you doing in NZ?

Beautiful poem Apple.