New Zealand History: Pākehā Impact on Māori

Pākehā Arrival and Impact on Māori

• Pākehā arrival led to immersion in te ao Māori, with many learning Māori language for survival and trade purposes
• Initial interactions were driven by self-interest, not affection for Māori culture

Demographic Shift and Displacement

• Mid-1800s saw a significant increase in Pākehā population, leading to Māori displacement from their land, culture, and identity
• This displacement resulted in the sacrifice of Māori language, customs, and tikanga

Language and Cultural Shift

• Establishment of Pākehā government led to a desire to exterminate the Māori people and their culture
• Factors contributing to cultural shift included diseases, language shift, resource challenges, and conflict
• Pākehā society portrayed Māori as inferior, with stereotypes of savagery and Neolithic culture

Māori Response and Adaptation

• Māori realized the need to learn English to participate in industry and maintain sovereignty
• They aimed to maintain customs, autonomy, and sovereignty by learning English and engaging in business and government
• The goal was to ensure the well-being of future generations, but ultimately, the Māori language was lost

Loss of Te Reo Māori

• Pākehā politicians actively worked to suppress the Māori language
• The loss of te reo Māori was unforeseen by Māori ancestors, who had not anticipated the extent of Pākehā influence

Pākehā Arrival and Impact on Māori

• Pākehā arrival in New Zealand led to immersion in te ao Māori, with many learning the Māori language for survival and trade purposes
• Initial interactions between Pākehā and Māori were driven by self-interest, rather than a genuine interest in Māori culture

Demographic Shift and Displacement

• The mid-1800s saw a significant increase in Pākehā population, leading to Māori displacement from their land, culture, and identity
• This displacement resulted in the sacrifice of Māori language, customs, and tikanga

Language and Cultural Shift

• The establishment of a Pākehā government led to a desire to exterminate the Māori people and their culture
• Factors contributing to cultural shift included diseases, language shift, resource challenges, and conflict
• Pākehā society portrayed Māori as inferior, with stereotypes of savagery and Neolithic culture

Māori Response and Adaptation

• Māori realized the need to learn English to participate in industry and maintain sovereignty
• They aimed to maintain customs, autonomy, and sovereignty by learning English and engaging in business and government
• The goal was to ensure the well-being of future generations, but ultimately, the Māori language was lost

Loss of Te Reo Māori

• Pākehā politicians actively worked to suppress the Māori language
• The loss of te reo Māori was unforeseen by Māori ancestors, who had not anticipated the extent of Pākehā influence