Land Stories

Most of us understand that treaty settlements with New Zealand Maori are about trying to redress past wrongs. Growing up in Christchurch, I didn't give much thought to the matter, as I recall there was only one Maori kid at our high school, indeed there were probably more Asian exchange students back then. Besides Canterbury was purchased and paid for and native rights had been extinguished when the first European settlers arrived.  What we weren't taught was what a shonky and dishonest that deal it was. Enterprise and prosperity followed colonisation, but not for all, Maori were made beggars in their own land. This is a sponsored story for the Christchurch Methodist Mission. My thanks to Dr. Jane Higgins for allowing me to share her work.