‘Equality’ Not Enough

Te Ao Hou, March 1963, Page 21

‘Equality’ Not Enough This is a comment on the peculiar nature of the relations between the races in New Zealand, and can perhaps be traced back to the school. New Zealanders are brought up to the ideal of equality, but the special feature of equality is that it applies at the individual level, and is incapable of reconciling cultural differences. No differences are made between Maoris and Pakehas at school, which aims to fit the pupils into the European life of the community, when Maoris reject Pakeha values in preference to their own, (‘going back to the pa’) they are regarded by Europeans as having failed the test of equality. Nevertheless the emphasis nowadays is on common interests and co-operation in joint enterprises, instead of on the differences dividing the people. One interesting thing about this is that it has come from the top, from prominent Pakehas and Maoris, rather than a movement from the bottom to the top. In other words, co-operation is not being established nearly so readily between householders and neighbours. This is why the town can boast a Maori borough councillor despite the rather feeble communication at the individual level. Maori leaders have lost little time grasping the opportunities that have come their way, and such positive action is now paying dividends. I was present when the Mayor, Mr S. C. Childs, sought the co-operation of Maoris in the borough Jubilee Queen Carnival last year. The Maoris responded by sponsoring their own Queen, and raised over £1,800 to take second place in the four-cornered contest. These results were very gratifying to all concerned. The Pakeha response was quick and equally effective, in assisting the tribal committee to organise an Education Foundation appeal. Behind these developments, and in a way When Miss Rene Tuhi won second place in the Pukekohe Queen Carnival last year, it was one of the signs of a new understanding between the races which is developing in Pukekohe.

at the very heart of them, stands Bill Proctor, a man of great energy and vision, leading the people to a more respected place in the community. Outspoken to the point of bluntness, he is not easily turned aside from a task once he sets his mind to it. Early in 1962 Bill initiated the establishment of a Credit Union for the benefit of the Maoris of the district. To save it from the fate of many similar enterprises undertaken by Maoris, he was careful to ensure that it was properly constituted, and enlisted the aid of several professional Europeans to supervise the running of the Union. The Credit Union is a positive approach to the problem of Maori credit, and a project of real promise. The mixed Maori population of Pukekohe have given themselves a name—‘Nga Hau E Wha’ (The Four Winds)—which expresses their varied backgrounds. The Four Winds of Maoridom appear to have been caught in the stronger current of change, and it is worth-while considering the direction in which they are blowing. A group well-known in the Bay of Plenty, Wairoa and Auckland districts as the Maori Presbyterian Missions, has been working in Wellington for the past six months. The group meets at an old manse in Thorndon under the direction of the Reverend Tom Hawea, who has with him Miss Mary Kahukura, the first Maori Presbyterian deaconess to be ordained to the Maori Synod of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. Their work is to help young Maoris with housing and other problems met when they first came into the city, and this will later include hostel visits, and work with borstals, prisons and hospitals. Miss Kahukura's experience before being ordained included work as a ‘trammie’ in Auckland and as a worker in munition factories, hospitals and institutions. Before being ordained at St. James' church, Newtown, on November 14, she spent three years at the Maori Theological College, Whakatane, and eight months at the Deaconess College, Dunedin. She was brought up by Miss I. D. Paulger, who was in charge of mission work at Maungapohatu for 23 years before retiring to Brikenhead, Auckland, where she now lives.