Aotearoa: Introduction to Traditional Maori Society

Description

The Treaty of Waitangi was the blueprint for the formation of early New Zealand, it has a contested, complex, and rich place in historical and contemporary New Zealand society. If you want to understand the Treaty of Waitangi and contemporary events like 40,000 strong protests, why there are treaty settlements, and whether there really is such a thing as ‘Māori Privilege’; this is a great introductory course that will give you the knowledge and tools to understand the relationship of the Treaty in Māori issues.

• At one point the Treaty of Waitangi was legally considered a ‘simple nullity’; something that can be disregarded. What is the significance of the Treaty in building New Zealand society, why was it needed and what authority does it have contemporarily?
• Media around Māori Treaty settlements often split the country, challenging a perception of equality. What relationship does the Treaty have towards race relations in past and present New Zealand?
• By the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi there were more literate Māori than settlers. By the late 1950s Māori were numerically outnumbered and considered a dying race. What changes occurred in Māori society pre and post signing of the Treaty and why?
• What were the effects of assimilation and integration of Māori into a western society and are they still in effect today?
• At one point the Crown considered New Zealand too costly to send support for colonisation. What changed and why? What is the basic formula of colonisation, the narratives and goals?


The themes in this course include
• The relationship between settler and Māori before the Treaty of Waitangi
• The Treaty and the transfer of power
• Colonisation, narratives about the colonised, and the effect on Māori identity
• Māori Spirituality as a political movement of protest
• Indigenous autonomy
• The Māori renaissance and Treaty settlements
• Contemporary issues

Course Goals
• Introduce the Treaty of Waitangi and its principles
• Examine the impact of the Treaty on contemporary New Zealand
• Investigate colonisation in New Zealand and the impact on Māori and identity
• Review Māori political and spiritual response to the Treaty



Learning Outcomes
Students will
• Openly discuss common understandings of the Treaty, cultural encounters, race relations and stereotypes in an open environment on a pathway to attain considered opinions
• Gain introductory knowledge to the Treaty of Waitangi, its principles, and the impact on Māori
• Begin to appreciate how the Treaty has shaped New Zealand and race relations
• Have a greater understanding of New Zealand history

Why this Paper?
Students taking this paper may be interested in the following career pathways
• Policy analyst in Māori and Government organisations
• Community development roles especially within Māori and Iwi sectors
• Professional social services, education, health sector roles interfacing with Iwi and Māori organisations.
• Kaupapa Māori research
• Police
• legal
• Librarian


Transferrable Skills
This course contributes to the development of the following transferable skills
• Critical thinking
• Self-awareness
• Communication
• Indigenous world perspective
• Cultural awareness