A Maori Speaks

From an article by Maori Manuka Mita Puku, in Development News Digest December 1978: In many respects it would be a good thing from a Maori and Aborigine point view for the economies of Australia and New Zealand to collapse because it would be a wonderful test of the sincerity and commitment on the part of the European immigrants. Those who are committed will stay, those who are here for their own ends will go back to Europe just as the Europeans left India, China, the Belgian Congo, Angola and Mozambique. Just as the white Rhodesians are now leaving Zimbabwe. ‘This trend is apparent now in New Zealand. As our economy has become very shaky, we have the spectacle of more people leaving New Zealand than coming in. Where are they heading?

To the other white enclaves, Australia first, perhaps Canada, but many are returning ‘home’ to Europe. ‘ln the meantime the Maori will continue to wait patiently for the Pakeha to sort out his and her identity crisis, to seek reconciliation of their historical guilt complex and to transform their latent colonial attitudes, and finally to integrate with the indigenous peoples of our part of the world. ‘lt is important for all of us that the Pakeha solve their prob lems, because the Pakeha dreams of building new societies in Australia and New Zealand are becoming Maori and Aborigine

nightmares. ’