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Maori and the New Zealand Natural Resources

Conclusion

Historically, the New Zealand indigenous group had have difficulties obtaining governmental influence. Back when the country was colonized the British had intentions of giving Maori power over the natural resources, because it was important to their culture. Maori could not exercise this power until the Resources Management Act of 1991. The act gave the group control and made sure the Europeans respected Maori culture. Maori practices are continued

Further Research

A more recent case study revealed that indigenous groups' sustainable practices do not always differ between locations. The case study compared the efforts of the Maori and the Dusun (in tropical Malaysia). Maori and Dusun had similar practices including those that centered around the naming of certain plants and animals. Each group learned how to name plants strategically to help with growing and harvesting. Practices of each group still continue to be in use today. Displaying that Maori practices are still relevant in New Zealand.

Maori and the New Zealand Natural Resources

How Does the Case Study Relate to Present Day New Zealand?

Another case study performed on the Maori recently had the intent of making the sustainable practices more executable by the iwi (Maori tribes) chiefs. In the case study many chief admitted that they did not know which natural resources their iwi was in control of. The researchers assisted chiefs in coming up with sustainable practices and plans.

In the original case study for this research project it concluded that the Resource Management Act of 1991 helped Maori take back their control of the resources. Today, Maori still has that control and can be seen within different tribes. However some iwi yet to have exercise their control.

Annie Stevenson

Maori Sustainable Practices

Maori sustainable practices were applied to many different kinds of natural resources. The group had a vast knowledge about the land and the crops that grew there. Maori created a calender that revolved around every crop's harvesting period. Their knowledge extended to how plants could be used as medicine and how they could heal certain ailments. Maori believed that their sustainable efforts kept them in close relationships with the gods of nature.

Maori Governmental Representation

The governing system of New Zealand is a parliamentary democracy. The government is made up of three branches the parliament (House of Representatives), executive branch and the judicial branch. The parliament is the branch that makes laws and is voted on, by the people every three years.

The parliament of New Zealand consists of 122 seats, seven of those sats are for Maori representation

British and Maori Economies

My Case Study

In the beginning, right after the British colonized the land, European settlers depended on Maori for resources. But as the British gained more power, the Europeans became independent and Maori were often discouraged from farming or trade.

To keep up with the technological advanced European settlers, Maori quickly developed commercial relations in their economies.

Maori is the indigenous group of New Zealand that was researched in my case study. The case study went in depth discussing how Maori participated in controlling the natural resources of New Zealand. Before New Zealand was colonized by the British in 1840's,Maori developed sustainable practices and minimized the depletion of the natural resources. The country went under many government reforms before the Resource Management Act of 1991 was created. The act of 1991 helped Maori gain control of the resources and the act respected their culture.

The Treaty of Waitangi

The treaty allowed the British Crown to govern and make laws for the country. However it also gave Maori power to control the natural resources in accordance with their culture and beliefs.

The founding constitutional document was in place to give Maori some power and presentation in the government. However many of the European settlers discarded the provisions written in the treaty. Maori did not have much governmental power at that time

New Zealand's Economy

Maori built economies prior to the British colonization. However, early Maori economies centered around gift exchanges. Early Maori economies had no unit of currency.

Many Maori were gardeners, horticulturists, hunters, and gatherers. New Zealand had many crops such as: sweet potatoes, gourds, fern, fish, and birds.

Settlement of New Zealand

British Colonization

The British colonized New Zealand in 1840. The British initially recognized Maori sustainable efforts.

The founding constitutional document of New Zealand was the Treaty of Waitangi. The treaty was written in both English and the Maori language. In addition fifty Maori chiefs signed its agreement.

Maori settled the New Zealand land between the years 800 and 1300 AD. The group is believed to have came from Polynesia.

Initially Maori diminished a lot of natural resources in the area. However, since they were the first to inhabit the land their human impact on the resources was inevitable.

When they realized how much of an impact they were making on the environment they developed sustainable practices to please their deities.

Deities and Gods

Maori is a very religious group of people. They believe in many deities that control the nature. Such as, Tane Mantu, the god of forests. Their close relationships with the gods is a reason that Maori was so intent with sustaining the natural resources of the land.

What Do Natural Resources Mean to Maori?

Maori are very spiritual people. Valuable objects are considered Taogna, or treasure. To Maori the natural resources of the land are considered Taogna so the resources have to be handled with consideration. Because resources are Taogna, Maori take even more care with their usage. Some resources have rituals that have to be performed before harvesting them

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