Māori renaissance

The Māori renaissance, as a turning point in New Zealand's history, describes a loosely defined period between 1970 and the early 2000s, in which Māori took the lead in turning around the decline of their culture and language that had been ongoing since the early days of European settlement.

[6] Until 1914, and possibly later, the perception of the Māori race by Pakeha was that it was capable and worthy of being saved but only by assimilation into a European system.

In general terms, he thought Māori should concentrate on a rural existence while leaving the towns to non-Māori.

Ngā Tamatoa (the Young Warriors) was a group formed by Auckland University students and, by 1972, it had branches in Wellington and Christchurch.

In 1975, a hīkoi (land march) led by Whina Cooper traversed the length of the North Island finished outside Parliament in Wellington.

Thousands had joined the march, illustrating how Māori concerns about the loss of their culture and landholdings were reaching the wider public.

From the early 1980s, the kohanga reo movement of language nests was started, and this was followed by the creation of kura kaupapa in which schooling in Māori took place.

[12][13] By 1979, both main parties had recognised that New Zealand was ethnically diverse and in principle they had accepted the argument that Māori should be able to follow their own path and not be drowned within Pakeha mores.

Although the list of tangible benefits to Māori from the Treaty grew ever larger in the late 1980s, such as huge government payments to settle Tribunal claims, the non-Māori public were generally dissatisfied.

Moutoa Gardens in Whanganui were occupied in 1995 by iwi claiming ownership rights and in Auckland, One Tree Hill's lone pine was damaged.

Founded by former Labour MP Tariana Turia, the party gained four seats in the following year's general election.

about the scope of the Waitangi Tribunal extending back to 1840, because "the past is interpreted by legal reasoning to suit presentist purposes."

An established catalogue of notable authors has emerged, including Keri Hulme and Witi Ihimaera.