🥝History of New Zealand Unit 9 – Social and Cultural Changes

Key Social and Cultural Shifts

• Urbanization led to a shift from rural to urban living, with more Māori moving to cities for work and education opportunities
• Increased intermarriage between Māori and Pākehā resulted in a growing mixed-race population and cultural exchange
  • Children of these unions often grew up with influences from both cultures
• Adoption of European clothing styles and housing by Māori, while still maintaining traditional elements (kākahu)
• Decline in the use of te reo Māori language due to the dominance of English in education and government
  • Efforts to revive and preserve the language gained momentum in the late 20th century
• Changing gender roles as women gained more rights and opportunities in the workforce and politics
• Secularization of society with a decrease in religious adherence and influence on daily life
• Growing recognition and celebration of Māori culture and heritage as an integral part of New Zealand's identity

Influential People and Groups

• Sir Āpirana Ngata, a prominent Māori politician and lawyer, advocated for the preservation of Māori culture and language
  • Instrumental in the establishment of the Māori Soldiers' Fund and the Māori Purposes Fund Control Board
• Te Puea Hērangi, a Māori leader and activist, worked to improve living conditions and opportunities for Māori
  • Founded the Tūrangawaewae Marae and promoted Māori arts and crafts
• The Māori Women's Welfare League, established in 1951, focused on improving the well-being of Māori women and families
• The Ratana Church, founded by Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana, blended Māori spirituality with Christian beliefs and gained political influence
• The Māori Renaissance movement of the 1970s and 1980s, which sought to revitalize Māori culture, language, and identity
  • Artists, writers, and activists played key roles in this movement (Witi Ihimaera, Keri Hulme)
• Whina Cooper, a Māori leader and activist, led the 1975 Land March to protest land alienation and advocate for Māori rights

Major Events and Turning Points

• The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, which established British sovereignty and granted Māori rights as British subjects
  • Differing interpretations of the treaty led to ongoing debates and grievances
• The New Zealand Wars of the 1840s to 1870s, which resulted in significant land confiscation and loss of life for Māori
• The influenza pandemic of 1918, which disproportionately affected Māori communities due to poor living conditions and limited access to healthcare
• World War I and II, where Māori served alongside Pākehā in the armed forces, leading to increased cultural interaction and shared experiences
• The urbanization of Māori in the post-war period, driven by economic opportunities and government policies
• The Māori Land March of 1975, a pivotal moment in the struggle for Māori land rights and self-determination
• The establishment of the Waitangi Tribunal in 1975 to investigate and address breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi

Changes in Māori Society

• Shift from traditional subsistence economy to participation in the cash economy, with Māori engaging in wage labor and commercial agriculture
• Adoption of European farming practices and crops alongside traditional Māori horticulture (potatoes, wheat)
• Decline in the power and influence of traditional Māori leadership structures (rangatira, tohunga) as British colonial administration took hold
• Erosion of Māori land ownership through land confiscations, sales, and government policies
  • Establishment of the Native Land Court in 1865 to facilitate land transactions and individualize Māori land titles
• Increasing Māori participation in European-style education, with the establishment of Native Schools and scholarships for higher education
• Adaptation of Māori religious beliefs and practices in response to Christian missionary influence (Pai Mārire, Ringatū)
• Growth of Māori urban communities and the development of distinct urban Māori identities and cultural practices

Impact on Pākehā Culture

• Incorporation of Māori words and concepts into New Zealand English (kia ora, mana)
• Adoption of Māori motifs and designs in art, architecture, and fashion
  • Māori-inspired patterns and symbols used in clothing, tattoos, and home decor
• Increased appreciation and understanding of Māori culture and history among Pākehā
  • Inclusion of Māori perspectives in education curricula and public discourse
• Growth of Māori tourism industry, showcasing traditional arts, crafts, and cultural experiences to visitors
• Influence of Māori cuisine on New Zealand food culture, with the popularity of hangi and Māori-inspired dishes
• Collaboration between Māori and Pākehā artists, musicians, and writers, leading to cross-cultural exchange and innovation
• Recognition of Māori place names and the incorporation of Māori language into official signage and documents

Economic and Technological Factors

• Introduction of European agricultural practices and tools, leading to increased productivity and trade
  • Use of iron tools, plows, and livestock alongside traditional Māori farming methods
• Development of infrastructure, such as roads and railways, facilitating the movement of goods and people
• Growth of the dairy industry, with Māori land being leased or sold for dairy farming
• Establishment of Māori-owned businesses and cooperatives, particularly in the agriculture and fisheries sectors
• Adoption of European building techniques and materials, leading to changes in Māori housing and settlement patterns
  • Use of timber framing, corrugated iron roofing, and brick construction
• Impact of new technologies, such as the telegraph and telephone, on communication and social connections
• Increasing Māori participation in the manufacturing and service industries, particularly in urban areas

Artistic and Literary Movements

• Emergence of Māori modernist art in the mid-20th century, blending traditional motifs with Western styles and techniques
  • Artists such as Ralph Hotere, Paratene Matchitt, and Cliff Whiting gained national and international recognition
• Development of Māori literature, with writers exploring themes of identity, colonialism, and cultural revival
  • Notable works include "Pounamu, Pounamu" by Witi Ihimaera and "The Bone People" by Keri Hulme
• Growth of Māori performing arts, including kapa haka and contemporary dance
  • Establishment of Māori theatre companies and the incorporation of Māori storytelling traditions into modern theatre
• Influence of Māori art and design on New Zealand's visual culture, from public sculptures to graphic design
• Increasing representation of Māori perspectives and stories in film and television
  • Films such as "Whale Rider" and "Once Were Warriors" gained critical acclaim and international recognition
• Revival of traditional Māori arts and crafts, such as weaving, carving, and tā moko (tattooing)
  • Establishment of Māori arts education programs and cultural centers to preserve and promote these practices

Legacy and Modern Implications

• Ongoing efforts to address historical grievances and breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi through the Waitangi Tribunal and settlement processes
• Increasing recognition of Māori language and culture as integral to New Zealand's national identity
  • Māori Language Act of 1987 recognizing te reo Māori as an official language of New Zealand
• Growth of Māori-medium education, including kōhanga reo (language nests) and kura kaupapa Māori (Māori-medium schools)
• Establishment of Māori seats in Parliament and the creation of Māori electoral roll to ensure Māori political representation
• Ongoing debates around Māori sovereignty, self-determination, and the role of the Treaty of Waitangi in contemporary New Zealand society
• Efforts to address socio-economic disparities between Māori and non-Māori, particularly in health, education, and employment outcomes
• Increasing global recognition and appreciation of Māori culture, art, and heritage
  • Māori cultural performances and exhibitions featured in international events and museums
• Continued evolution of Māori identity and culture in response to changing social, political, and technological contexts