Conclusion

Sir Apirana Ngata, considering in 1930 doing a doctorate in Maori social organisation, left as the introductory part of rough notes the following:

The thesis is that after 140 years contact with the kind of civilisation the English brought to these islands there are indications that the Maori is settling down to a regime under which he finds he can exist side by side with the Pakeha [European] or at some distance from the Pakeha, not merely physically but rather socially, economically, morally and religiously so as to make the Maori communal life possible in the same country.

This chapter bears out Ngata’s thesis, in respect at least of the Ngati Uepohatus during the 1980s.

Further Reading

Alpers, A. Maori Myths and Tribal Legends (John Murray, London, 1964)

Best, E. Maori Religion and Mythology (2 parts) (Government Printer, Wellington, 1976 and 1982) (first published in 1924)

Binney, J., Chaplin, G. and Wallace, C. Mihaia—the Prophet Rua Kenana and His Community at Maungapohatu (Oxford University Press, Wellington, 1979)

Metge, J. The Maoris of New Zealand (rev. edn) (Routledge & Kegan Paul, London, 1976)

Reed, A.W. Maori Myth and Legend (Reed, Wellington, 1972)

Salmond, A. Hui—A Study of Maori Ceremonial Gatherings (Reed, Wellington, 1975) Schimmer, E. The World of the Maori (Reed, Wellington, 1966)

Simmons, D. The Great New Zealand Myth: a Study of the Discovery and Origin Traditions of the Maori (Reed, Wellington, 1976)