How can a pakeha become a chief of a Maori Tribe?

Question

If you have any leads please leave the details here.

I think these days that both cultures can interchange in positions of leadership under Equal Opportunites. It is law that Maori have equal opportunities in the workplace, so I'm wanting to become a Maori Chief. It's quite possible so please don't laugh at me. I really enjoy working with other cultures.

Answer 1

In theory you may be right but I'm afraid that maoritanga will not allow you to do so. Equal Opportunities and rights are a one way street when it comes down to it with regards to the Maori race. Check out how many exclusive positions there are in all parts of our education system to start with.

When I was younger to be classed as a Maori you had to be 1/8 Maori. Now anything goes and it has been said that if you think you are a Maori then you are.

Just as a point of interest seeing as you have used the term "Pakeha". Do you really know what it means?

Pa - A village usually fortified.

Keha - A Flea.

As the Maori language is descriptive / pictorial then a visitor (anyone regardless of race) to a Pa usually brings nothing, takes what they want and leaves the occupants irritated.

Now go and take this up with your university lecturer in Maori studies. This has been explained to me by Maori of the North where the first Maori language was translated into English. As the missionaries and traders would have approached the Pas they would have heard the children calling out Pakeha, Pakeha, as my Maori friend did when she was a little girl on the shores of the Hokianga Harbour.

Answer 2

An Interesting question, but one that is easily answered.

You can't become a Maori Chief. It is not an occupation and therefore the EO Act does not apply.

A chief is born that way, or becomes one through conquest.

At the cultural ceremonies performed for tourists, a delegate from the visiting "tribe" (of tourists) is designated an honorary chief for the purposes of the welcoming ceremony. The title in this case is only for that one occasion, but some Maori will allow that person the same rights as a "Chief" on subsequent visits to the same Marae (or other Marae operated by the same whanau.)

A side issue that has developed with your question is the derivation of pakeha.

The answer is not for everyone's ears (or eyes) so if you don't want to know the truth, click 'Back' now.

From about 1790 the whalers and sealers were the only Europeans that visited NZs shores - up until about 1830 when others started to dribble in.

These people were not very cultured - the scum of the earth - the ones that gave Russel the name 'h**l hole of the Pacific'.

They referred to each other as F+++++g B+++++d. To the Maori ear this was perceived to sound very much like pakeha. And they assumed that all Europeans went by this title.

Nothing to do with fleas and houses, nor turnip seed which goes by the same name.

That is like trying to tell us that Yahoo means 'ya - you' and 'hoo -hole' in a Scottish dialect.

Driver T

(or to use my own Maori name -Pahau)

Answer 3

Hahaha what an amazing question. I'm going to star it and hopefully you'll get some helpful answers!

Answer 4

That's a very interesting point...I guess that wouldn't be an easy feat as maori go back generations and have their own areas which are ruled by local maori leaders - and there is a Maori King (see details on website below).  Let us know how you get on...