Colonization, whenua and capitalism: experiences from Aotearoa New Zealand

The English Laws Act, passed in 1858, declared the Laws of England applicable in New Zealand and cemented the hitherto alien ideology of land as property. Part of this ideology was the separation of tangata from whenua along with the separation of ownership of land from ownership of water. Maori, as tangata whenua - people of the land, made no such distinctions. Ownership affects how people 'manage' whenua (land), make decisions and account to the legal system. Under English law, financial considerations are at the forefront. In contrast, Maori kaitiakitanga values are concerned with the interests of land, understanding that the best interests of people will follow. Despite stark contrasts between the ideology of land as property and the ethics of kaitiakitanga - obligation, sustainability and nurture - Maori engage with mainstream agencies and lead by example in efforts to promote the wellbeing of people and environments in a unified approach. This paper outlines competing paradigms, changing relationships and challenges faced by communities who seek to nurture and respect whenua in the face of colonization. Interview data from Maori involved in community land-based initiatives illustrates past and present struggles and what some possibilities might be for the future.