Nelson, New Zealand and Maoris???

Question

Hello I’m a New Zealander but have lived in the UK since I was 17 months. I grew up in my grandmother/grandfathers home so lived a very typical English life. I am 29 now and have 5 children and have made the decision to return to NZ. For our children’s benefit as I believe that it could be a far better environment for my children to grow up in.

We are moving to sunny Nelson as everyone calls it to where my mom lives. My mom loves NZ and always tells me that I should have made this decision earlier. I try to trust my mom’s judgment but I’m not sure if some of her praising of the country is due to she wants her grad kids around her. So I would like some outsiders view on Nelson, New Zealand as a country and general way of living there.

Also as I have said I’m a New Zealander. Maori/English to be exact. As I have looking into living in New Zealand I have noticed there is a lot of bad press and feeling about the Maoris’. And from people I have spoken to haven’t spoken very highly of them. I wonder what other kiwi’s really think of the Maoris’. And if there is any prejudice towards the Maoris’. I would hate my kids to have to endure prejudice from other kids because their moms half Maori. Or myself to endure it either. I’m sorry if I have offended any Maoris’ out there I’m only going on information available to me from internet sources and a hand full of people I’ve spoken to. And the fact that I’ve never actually met another Maori before.

I do appreciate your replies and want to say thanks for your help and time!!!

Answer 1

There was a very interesting article in the North & South Magazine recently. North & South is a NZ magazine (latest issue i am referring to). The cover and feature article was actually about many Maori (like myself) who aren't, quote "criminals, sport stars or politicans". The reason I found it interesting was because it was about very very normal families, but mainly the middle class Maori. The university educated Maori, particularly how women in their 20s and 30s now have a much more positive 'spin' on it. How they grew up in the post 1980s, Kohanga Reo (maori preschool) years.  The article was called Maori in the middle.

Answer 2

Hi,

I am not a Maori, but a pakeha, have lived all my life in NZ, have always had excellent relationships with Maori folk, they are no different than anyone else in the world. Take off your blinkers & see the world as it is. Nelson is a great city, perhaps a little isolated but that is one of its strong points, lovely scenery & fine warm weather.  All said I love NZ & the people no matter what race they are of. Make the decision to come here & you will not regret it.

Answer 3

Maori get an unfair wrap here in NZ. They are blamed for everything - in that respect we Brits are more to blame than anything (Im 4th gen NZder but still considered a Brit.). The Maori here are like the Irish where you are during the Sein Fein Period. What we did to the Irish - we have done also to the Maori.  We have a saying here in NZ - White mans violence is called the law - a black mans violence is imprisonable.

Answer 4

NZ good yeah, should go back...

Nelson, not sure, maybe Auckland?

Also, quite a few NZ'ers are moving to Australia, this could be worth looking into?

Answer 5

I am Part Maori.....descended from a Maori Dad and European NZ mum.

There was much to talk about when I was growing up ,as you can imagine , negative and positive , but in the end its all good .......if you allow it to be.

My mum's family was very stuanch and upset when it was evident she was going to marry a "Maori"....a little bit like bringing up a black guy or girl if you lived in America.....well I guess its different but its all based on Ignorance.....

Anyway after years of rejection by my mums family ( the white ones) ,followed by curiousity when the babies followed with thier olive skin.....life finally settled down for them....

I am one of those nine caramel colored babies and Im pleased to say we grew up by the sea and bush living a healthy happy life.......

All of us were educated in careers and most of us have adult children now ......

My parents are dead now but my point is this:

Life is Precious , and the people you love.

Get your priorities right and the rest will follow.

New Zealand is indeed beautiful and unique in its character but it is no different to any country in the yukky bits.....humans will be humans wherever they are born.( eventually)....

Dont sweat the small stuff .

Be happy

Good Luck

I walk in both worlds comfortably.

Answer 6

Nelson New Zealand an awesome place to go, however if your used to a fast paced hectic life it will be a serious culture shock.

New Zealand is way laid back it would probably feel like your going back in time and being in Nelson well although their are children n heaps of stuff to do it is more the retiree capital of New Zealand.

New Zealand as a whole, the price of living has crept up in recent years, butter, milk, cheese, bread, not to mention gas, housing - although the market has stalled and starting to decline (so hold off if your planning on buying a house) at least for a year or two.

The far north is an awesome place to go and/or visit sun surf sand, green, farm land paddocks etc and small towns dotted about the countryside.

Auckland is high in housing prices and some neighbourhoods are pretty rough (especially south Auckland) where it has featured prominently by the media in recent weeks, gangs, graffiti etc - that's not to say it doesn't happen anywhere else - actually it doesn't.

Tauranga is another great place to visit also like the far north with alot of sun however more of a tourist like destination.

Taupo also a tourist destination nevertheless a great place to visit.

Wellington a boat ride away from Nelson.and lives up to its name of windy wellington.

The south is quite different from the north, less compact more open quite a distance to each town and city its a beautiful vista and I do recommend you take it all in when you arrive.

As for maori and racism I myself have never encountered it however I would be naieve to say its not out their, it just depends on where you live I surpose, as for your children encountering it, I honestly believe they wouldnt but again its not to say that it isnt out their.

In saying all this you wont really know what all of us mean until you get over here so good luck youve made the right decision.......

Answer 7

When you finally reach these most precious of southern lands down under you will notice an immediate change to your whole psyche. The powerful energy which resonates from deep within this land mass called Aotearoa will surge thru you like a hot knife thru butter.

You will discover and be reunited with an incredible feeling of 'home' and you will, after all these years, realise that you are the product of thousands of years of tradition.

Your Tipuna (ancestors) who went before you, will embrace, shower and weep in absolute joy at your return home.

Haere mai nga tamariki o te ao marama. Naumai, haere mai!

Answer 8

Hi.

I'm a Kiwi and also live in the UK, London to be exact.

The Maori people are just the same as any other race, you have the good and the bad. I personally don't expect that people would be prejudice towards you and your family.

New Zealand is a fantastic environment to raise kids in, you won't regret it in my opinion, there is so much more emphasis on the outdoors and I had a very happy childhood there.

New Zealand is quite an expensive place to live though and it is completely different to the UK.

It took me about 3 months to start enjoying myself when I first moved to England just because it is so different so I advise you to keep an open mind when you first arrive because it will take a while to settle in.

I've never been to Nelson but have heard it is beautiful.

Answer 9

I have learnt during the years that there are good people and there are bad people no matter what race they are ..... not all us Maoris are bad.

Answer 10

If anyone else is offended by Doris please report him/her.  It is not the first time Doris has provided a disappointing answer.  To answer your question, NZ is a wonderful place to bring children up in.  Racism and violence occurs wherever you go, no more or less in NZ.  We are a multi-racial society and proud to be so.  Generally, people are very tolerant of each other and the lifestyle NZ offers is second to none if what you are after is a peaceful country away from some of the turmoil overseas and one that provides a safe environment for children.  I doubt you would regret a move here.

Answer 11

I am 27 and pakeha living in Nelson.  I am married to a man that is maori and have one beautiful brown baby with him.  I wouldn't say that we have ever encountered any racism here.  I have taught in schools here and have only ever heard one racist comment about maori in gest by a young boy that was maori himself.  As bad as it sounds the only kind of racist stuff you hear is usually at the pub and not to be taken seriously (as un-pc and terrible as that is).  Your kids would not have a problem here.  

I think if you don get any horrible racist answers here it would be from people that wouldn't say it to your face.  

Nelson is a lovely place and has a strong element of maori culture that is to be admired.

Good luck with the move.

Answer 12

I'm actually upset there are so many kiwis on this page =P i am a Brit and have never been to NZ yet but my friend is out there she was born and raised in Christchurch but came here to teach for a few years but now she has gone back home. From what i have learned from her the Maori are not bad people (she is not Maori) but they have received bad press about the child rearing practices i think which is actually ironic seeing as its their country and European descendants are criticising them! but form what i have leaned it is the media sensationalizing stories like they do here. I would love to visit! possibly move there... but from what i personally know about the country as a whole (not Nelson sorry) your kids will be happy its good that you are teaching them about their culture alot of that is actually dying out =(. GOOD LUCK!