Maori and White Culture in NZ

 

New Zealand was a British colony, populated by free settlers, many of whom came from Scotland. This explains why their pronunciation of certain words is different, to say, Australia and America.

 

Maori children are encouraged to learn their language and traditions from a very young age, but what impresses me is the way in which the Maori culture has been interwoven with the European culture.

 

Maori Law is melded into the "English" law so that Maoris are for many matters, subject to traditional Maori Law, meted out by tribal elders. Of course the old brutalities have gone, but the elders' words are law.

 

The "white people" (and I hate that term, but...) also learn some of the Maori Language. It's my understanding that while the official language of New Zealand is English, the Europeans are also being encouraged to learn Maori.

 

What a pity other countries, such as Australia, couldn't follow the New Zealand approach!