Tour of value

CAN communal values be main tained in the face of capitalism?

That question, facing many South •Pacific communities today, was the focus of a recent tour of Maori enterprises by Pacific Islanders.

On the face of it the two seem to be in hostile opposition to each other, with capi talism’s emphasis on the individual.

Nevertheless, an increasing number of Maori enterprises believe they have learned the trick of using the capitalist sys tem for the benefit of the tribe.

Take the Mangatu Incorporation in Gisborne. It owns around 45,000 ha of land, of which 34,000 ha is divided into 18 farms and studs, and the remaining 11,000 ha is in indigenous forest. The people run ning the farms represent 3000 sharehold ers, all members of Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki tribe. Thanks to astute management, between 1975 and 1994 the return to the shareholders has been increased nine-fold.

The Mangatu example, outstanding as it is, is not an isolated case. For that reason

the Aid Development Division of New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade wanted to share Maori experiences and expertise with Pacific representatives.

The Mangatu Incorporation is a rural, tribally-based enterprise. However, with increasing urbanisation, large numbers of Maoris have lost touch with their roots.

Sometimes described as “the lost Maori tribe”, these 150,000 urban Maori suffer high rates of unemployment and crime.

In West Auckland the Te Whanay O Waipareira Trust caters for the 17,000 Maoris who live in the area. It is now the largest, provider of training and employ ment in West Auckland, it runs a food co operative for 300 families, a medical cen tre and is a major sport sponsor.

In all, the tour took in more than a dozen enterprises. “It was so exciting,” said Lusia Tukidia, a Fiji education man ager. “Fve learned a lot, especially about how Maoris are marrying tradition with technology, and how they use the natural environment in their enterprises.” A