MAORI ADAPTABILITY

Te Ao Hou, June 1959, Page 50

MAORI ADAPTABILITY It has been shown by a study of the relationship between Maori and pakeha residents in a community that the Maori does not have to imitate the pakeha to be a good citizen. On the contrary, he derives more respect by behaving like a good Maori. Pekeha neighbours have remarked on the fact that Maori families have their traditional ways which in no way conflict with those of the pakeha and in many cases engender interest and impart character to a settlement. Most of the conduct which gives rise to objections is not typical of Maori traditional life but has been inherited from the pakeha. The way the Maori has fitted into the Auckland community has exploded to some extent the argument that the Maori is a communal being. Rather has it emphasised that he is a highly adaptable person. While he is capable of leading an individualistic life he is also able to depart from it for a time and seek satisfaction in those communal institutions which are so much a part of his tradition. In order to lead a balanced and orderly life the city dweller needs ready access to the essential features of the two worlds in which he is required to live. One of the deficiencies in Auckland is an adequate community centre, or, preferably, more than one community centre, catering for all the Maoris and where Maori and pakeha can meet in a predominantly Maori environment.