The indigenous people of New Zealand, the Maori, seem to have integrated into the NZ culture through their traditions that have become a more assimilated part of the Country.

Furthermore, efforts are made to ensure that the Maori of New Zealand feel integrated with the rest of the population, for instance the recognition of the Maori language as an official language of New Zealand, the use of certain Maori rituals and practices in New Zealand's Pakeha traditions (we think particularly of Haka, a Maori ritual dance that is performed by the team prior to the Rugby match, a game that has developed in England. Also important is the social and economic assistance put in place by the government in favour of the most disadvantaged people, in poverty or unemployed, mostly Maori People.

 

However, this is unfortunately where we still discover inequalities between Pakeha and Maori because the rate of alcohol use, unemployment and people living below the poverty line are very high among the Maori Population.

 

We have the right to ask ourselves why the Maori have to integrate into the Pakeha population knowing full well that the native People of New Zealand are the Maoris.