Info on Maori- racism and schooling...

[Ashantai]

I'm doing research for a book about a Canadian girl who moves to New Zealand with her family and falls in love with a Maori boy. That's about as far as I've gotten so far, as I am not quite sure about an average New Zealand high-schooler's attitude toward the Maori. Is there a lot of racial tolerance there? And do Maori children attend regular schools? If anyone has the answers to these questions or has any additional information/comment they think might benefit my research, please respond to this message. Thank you!

~ Ashantai

[Swtnan]

Kia ora Ashantai.
You seem to have been waiting for ages for a reply.
I am Maori, and here in New Zealand there are many young people and Mature people too who fall in love with and marry Maori men and women.80% of Maori children are found in Mainstream schools every day of the year.Racial tolreance abounds here, but don't ever think that it is non-existant...ho!ho!ho! even Santa can probably tell a tale or two about racial prejudice, and speaking as a Maori, even some of my people can be as prejudiced as the next person.We however,have come to learn the ways of the dominant culture and we have no qualms about playing them at their own game.That should stir up a bit of discussion for you, but we'll wait and see.Until some reaction happens,good luck.One other tip - look for novels written by Witi Ihimaera (also Maori) because they are based on fact.Have fun.Ka kite.

[brendonm]

Tena koe Ashantai,

Like Swtnan I too am Maori. I was brought up in a small town called Bluff at the base of New Zealand. There were only 3 schools there, one was Catholic and the other two just normal public schools. I went to Bluff Public School. It is co-ed all the way through to form 2. (what year is form 2? I don't think we call it form 2 anymore) Anyway, I guess in smaller areas you school where you can.

I did not know there were even Maori only schools until I was at high school. Public school seemed great
There were'nt any major racial tensions at school then, if there were tensions they were mainly personality conflicts rather than genuine racial issues. Yes there were fights at school, but normally because someone stole someone elses girlfriend or someting like that...

I am sure there are many others out there with more interesting tales than mine though...

[imported_Moe]

Not sure if this is useful to you.
I am half Maori half Italian and was born and raised in Australia. When I was in H/S I was probably the only girl who was of Maori descent. I didn't experience racism at school, we had a diverse group of students from all parts of the world, as well as all the Aussies. We got along real well, in total harmony treating each other with courtesy and respect, and yes the guys would ask me to go out with them.
When I visit New Zealand some people notice my accent or lack of and they say to me "You've been in Aussie for too long" I simply say "I was born there" and that raises eyebrows. I guess they are not used to hearing an Aussie accent from a girl who is so obviously a Maori.
Anyway here are the titles of a couple of books that I think relates to what you are trying to achieve.
Maori Girl, Noel Hilliard author , published by Reed Books, 39 Rawene Rd Birkenhead Auckland. 1st Pub.1960 Reprinted 1970,1973,1974,1977,1980,1983,1991.
And Mistress of Spices, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni author.
Both are excellent reads and both deal with realtionships between people of various indigenous cultures.

[Cam_NZ]

kia ora

I am still at college (highschool) in a small rural town. Its prodominantly a Pakeha town and there is tonnes of racism. It goes both ways though but lately there has been some real sracy incidents. Our highschool has had its own Wharenui on campus for the last 18 years. And over those years there has been over 8 racist attacks to the building. Most of them are kkk and all the other crap that goes with the Nazi and red-neck mentality, but lately the attacks have become more frequent. One time the Wharenui was even fire bombed, another time deisel was poored on the front lawn and burnt leaving the initialls KKK in the ground for weeks. I dont no if this will help the lady writing the book , but i hope that it will show the extremes and the reality of racial tension in this country. The town i live in was founded on confiscated land "thats another issue", other than that most of the peeps i no are pro bicultural(or atleast to my face). Chow!!

[BjornAgain]

its true that racism is alive and well in nz schools. Many schools refuse to integrate Maori into their mainstream curriculums even tho the ed. dept, requests that they do and many of the boards of trustees have nicely worded jargon that seemingly supports traey of Waitangi initiatives but in practice this doesnt happen. The trickle down affect is that Maoridom is not valued by the decision makers. a great example is at Hamiltons Fraser High School - there would be lucky to be a handful of teachers who are Maori out of the 100 or so there! even tho there is a high proportion of Maori students, the principal there doesnt want Maori initiatives in mainstream ed. and this is supported by his clones in the board of trustees and the teaching staff! the Maori activities are separated and this is situated in the Rumaki on the school grounds. So that is the importance Maori is viewed as not good enough for mainstreaming! the teachers there clap and sing when maori students are expelled ( they aren't skilled enough to teach them!!) and this expelling happens alot and the students are shipped elsewhere where people are more skilled and caring. NZ has a very racist system indeed in many schools!!!! it is hard to break the cycle of abuse in schools because they perpetuate this racism by hiring teachers who perpetuate the dominant school culture!!! I believe the actions at Fraser HIgh and the principal there Martin Elliot are as close to racist as you will get in NZ but ofcourse there will be many other examples from other people who will post their replies. Goodluck and ka kite!