Hauora
This assignment will explore events that have occurred in the history of Aotearoa (New Zealand) which have had a significant impact on the health of Maori. Special attention will be given to the Treaty of Waitangi and the events of colonisation. The implications of these events for nursing practice today will also be discussed. Many countries throughout the world have been subjected to colonised control. When this occurs the indigenous people struggle to keep their foundations strong against a culture whose values are totally foreign to their own. While this experience has occurred for Maori over the last one hundred and sixty years, it is not disparate from that of other indigenous peoples who have also been caused to experience colonial domination. Australia,
Canada, South Africa and the United States to name a few, are countries with a colonial history. Control over such things as land, culture, religion, language, values, beliefs, authority, social order and essentially their freedom collapse and are taken from the indigenous people by those who colonised them. The more dominant of the two cultures then run things to suit their own needs. History has shown that the outcome of colonisation has resulted in the impoverishment of Maori, with their culture and health status suffering (McMurray, 1999).
1
The Treaty of Waitangi was signed on the 6th February 1840 between over 500 Rangatira (Maori chiefs) and Lieutenant
Governor William Hobson, a representative of the British Crown.
The Treaty is often referred to as the founding document of New
Zealand and has special relevance to health, with one of its main intentions being to protect the well being of the tangata whenua
(people of the land) (Davis & Dew, 1999).
However, with the signing of the Treaty has come much debate.
As a result of translation issues, the two versions did not say the same thing and subsequently quite different expectations were created. Durie (1988)
Canada, South Africa and the United States to name a few, are countries with a colonial history. Control over such things as land, culture, religion, language, values, beliefs, authority, social order and essentially their freedom collapse and are taken from the indigenous people by those who colonised them. The more dominant of the two cultures then run things to suit their own needs. History has shown that the outcome of colonisation has resulted in the impoverishment of Maori, with their culture and health status suffering (McMurray, 1999).
1
The Treaty of Waitangi was signed on the 6th February 1840 between over 500 Rangatira (Maori chiefs) and Lieutenant
Governor William Hobson, a representative of the British Crown.
The Treaty is often referred to as the founding document of New
Zealand and has special relevance to health, with one of its main intentions being to protect the well being of the tangata whenua
(people of the land) (Davis & Dew, 1999).
However, with the signing of the Treaty has come much debate.
As a result of translation issues, the two versions did not say the same thing and subsequently quite different expectations were created. Durie (1988)