Understanding Maori Language and Maori Culture
I remember the following story well.
It was in 1960 and I was a primary school teacher at Bukit Merah North Primary School in Singapore.
I was then the assistant cub master, addressed by the Cubs (junior boys’ scouts) as ‘Baloo’.
Amongst the songs sung by the Cubs then was the Maori waiata (song) is “E Pa Pa Wa A Ri Ta Ku Ne Ma Hi”. I did not the significance of this song at the time but the rhythm struck me as ‘appropriate’ for the young ones and we used to clap our hands in accordance with this three-beat rhythm. I did not know at that time that I was destined to immigrate to New Zealand nineteen years on in 1979.
By the time I arrived in 1979 I was surprised to find that Maori Language and Maori Culture were (and still are) not common amongst the New Zealand citizens. I would have taught that like ‘Singlish’ amongst Singaporeans, the Kiwis would (and should) have a common bond to communicate with each other in situations where Kiwis need to feel united as one.
Now my points are as follows:
(1) As long as we in New Zealand ignore Maori Language and Maori Culture, we cannot be totally united. I note that there are no or little Pakeha, Chinese, Indian and other kiwis of other race participating in the haka, except only at the start of a world Rugby Game by the Rugby players.
(2) Maori Language and Culture are given only token recognition in Kiwi schools.
(3) Maori Language and Culture are unfortunately heading to extinction as many Maori people choose to communicate, even with one another, in the English Language.
(4) Twenty years on, we will have less and less knowledge of Maori Language and Maori Culture amongst us and this will not unite us, but actually, will divide us. More and more extremist pakehas like Don Brash will marginalize Maoridom to a point that New Zealanders as a whole will suffer.
So, what is my recommendation then?
Simply this:
Start teaching Maori Language and Maori Culture in schools. One suggestion my friends have is to have subjects like Mathematics and Physics taught in the Maori Language as these subjects are not language based. One of the Green MPs has recommended this be done but she was rubbished by many pakehas.
If this is done, we will have a united country in twenty years time and then there is every chance that special Maori seats in Parliament elections can then be abolished.
NOTE: waiata = Maori song; haka = Maori war dance; pakeha = Maori term for Europeans.
E papā Waiari
Taku nei mahi
Taku nei mahi
He tuku roimata
Ē aue, ka mate ahau;
E hine hoki mai rā
E hine hoki mai rā
E papā Waiari
Taku nei mahi
Taku nei mahi
He tuku roimata
Ē aue, ka mate ahau;
E hine hoki mai rā
Māku e kaute
Ō hīkoitanga
Māku e kaute
Ō hīkoitanga
Ē aue, ka mate ahau;
E hine hoki mai rā
E hine hoki mai rā
E hine hoki mai rā
The translated meaning of this waiata is:
E auë, ka mate au E hine, hoki mai rä
Oh, I will surely die
My darling girl, please return to me
E papa waiari Taku nei mahi Taku nei mahi He tuku roimata
My grief overwhelms me And all I do
And all I do
Is to shed tears relentlessly
E auë, ka mateau E hine, hoki mai rä
Oh, I will surely die
My darling girl, please return to me
Mäku e kaute ö hïkoitanga Mäku e kaute ö hïkoitanga
I will count your every footstep I will count your every footstep
E auë, ka mate au E hine, hoki mai rä
Oh, I will surely die
My darling girl, please return to me