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It seems like from the start the Maori were more respected by the European settlers than the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders were.
Maori still face social problems and racism in New Zealand, but in general they seem far more assimilated into the national identity, while Australian Aborigines seem to be left so far behind in the system.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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^ Yes, they actually did stick it up to the colonists to a larger extent, being the warriors they were. Australian aborigines were a varied lot and each tribe seemed to react differently to the colonists. NZ has, imo though, tried to at least assimilate Maori cultural identity more, and Maori's constitute about 10% of the population compared to about 2% for aborigines in Australia.
I think the Maori have been treated well overall compared to the Aboriginals no question. I think a lot of it goes back to the cultural differences of Australia and NZ. Australia was founded by criminals and prostitutes and NZ was founded by middle class merchants and farmers. Two different outlooks on life there.
The distinction between the treatment of the Moari and the Aborigines really stems from the position under which their occupation of New Zealand and Australia was viewed. The British viewed the colonisation of New Zealand as the conquering of an occupied land so they really dealt with the existing rulers and peoples in a way that was to compromise. The colonisation of Australia on the other hand started out on the basis that Australia was unoccupied so the Aborogines were never regarded as existing rulers or occupants of the land.
The British viewed the colonisation of New Zealand as the conquering of an occupied land so they really dealt with the existing rulers and peoples in a way that was to compromise. The colonisation of Australia on the other hand started out on the basis that Australia was unoccupied so the Aborogines were never regarded as existing rulers or occupants of the land.
When the british first came to New Zealand they were told by their queen elizabeth I to respect the people who were already there (the Maori) . Instead captain cook and his crew on his ship named 'the endeaver' , killed and slaughtered the Maori tribe that occupied the area. More british came to New Zealand as places in England grew overcrowded and there was opportunity for farmers to build and cultivate farms on the untouched land. As a result the british and the Maori fought each other in fierce land wars over land that the Maori already owned. There are about 20 or so different Maori tribes. Most tribes fought amoungst each other before the british arrived over marriages,land,and family disputes. When the british came they forced the Maori off there land by burning down their villages and shooting innoncent people. That all happened in the early 1800's. In 1840 the british govenment made a treaty and tried to get all the chiefs from each different tribe to sign it. The british told Maori that signing the treaty meant they would share the land and resources between them. However the treaty actually said that "each Maori tribe gives full ownership of the land and resources to the british". Few Maori could read english and were tricked into signing the treaty. After half of the chiefs had signed the treaty the british then burned their villages killed the woman and children and forced the men to work in the british army where they had to kill and touch villages of their own people. Around the start of the 1900's it was illegal for Maori to speak their language and children were forced to speak english . They were also discouraged to participate in cultural activities. This lasted till about the 1980's where it was legalized to speak Maori again. By this time Maori tribes had lost most of their language and have only really regained it in the 2000's. It is better for Maori in New Zealand now as we have Maori speaking schools and kindergardens as well as Maori speaking TV channels. There still is racisim however not so bad as the aborginis. Maori are included as New Zealanders, but also have large crime statistics, have problems with drug/alcohol abuse,domestic violance,poor living conditons, and criminal gangs. 3/5 Maori are in or have family that are in a criminal gang. Most Maori can't speak their own language either and only know some common words. These are all common steriotypes that european kiwis associate with Maori.
In the media in New Zealand they try and make out that New Zealander's whether they be Maori or non-Maori are all united and together, where if you go out on the street it's a completely different story. I live in Christchurch, NZ which is the most racist town/city in NZ. The medias a frickn joke if u ask me !!
In the media in New Zealand they try and make out that New Zealander's whether they be Maori or non-Maori are all united and together, where if you go out on the street it's a completely different story. I live in Christchurch, NZ which is the most racist town/city in NZ. The medias a frickn joke if u ask me !!
Sounds like the way Canada tries to promote itself as a multi-racial/multi-ethnic utopia, the best on the planet for "tolerance",
and while I would agree in modern times it's generally "pretty good" in that regard,
their descriptions are probably not entirely accurate.
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Cringe! 
Now, we just treat them like museum artifacts instead. Which has improved things immensely. Not.
