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In case you were, like myself, wondering, "Aotearoa" is the Maori name for New Zealand (originally just the Northern Island). >They tend to be pro-[...]hunting

In case you were, like myself, wondering, "Aotearoa" is the Maori name for New Zealand (originally just the Northern Island). >They tend to be pro-[...]hunting Interesting that you describe hunting as something favored by white New Zealanders. Are Maori people against hunting? Do they hunt mammals?

jasonisalive 12y ago
Hunting is a traditional activity among Pakeha farmers and farming communities in Aotearoa. These people came from lower and middle class British communities, and enthusiastically began hunting in Aotearoa because in Britain it was traditionally an upper-class-only privilege. As such it is and has always been primarily been a leisure activity. Nowadays Pakeha culture is strongest in rural areas so the hunting continues and is part of a grid of activities (rugby, agricultural shows, many varieties of sport, other farming-centric activities) which strengthen in-group bonds. Maori hunted extensively for subsistence, primarily bird and fish species, but this was more trapping and gathering (rope traps for birds, gathering bivalves). In recent times their culture has become more urban-based, relatively young and lower SES, and I think they are more involved and interested these days in urban family/community ties, Marae activities, travel and international youth culture. Maori groups promote the traditional ecology of the islands, and promote the authenticity of traditional Maori food-gathering, but especially given the scarcity of native birdlife, don't actually hunt birds anymore (as far as I'm aware - though shell-gathering is popular). The university-liberal segment of Pakeha culture that is pro-Maori is generally pretty pacifist and urban, so they don't participate in rural-centric activities like hunting. I think Maori people in Aotearoa taking up white-style hunting would be like native tribes in America turning into massive baseball lovers.
- EdwardDiego 12y ago
  Are you actually from NZ? Because what you're saying doesn't really match reality. Heaps of Maori people hunt.
  - jasonisalive 12y ago
    News to me, but I haven't spent much time in the North Island so maybe I just haven't seen it. I'm not really a North Island/Maori expert.
    - cconcepts 12y ago
      So, you're not an expert, but I'm still defensive, irritable (with) black and white argumentation when the pro-white side (presumably me) feels under attack.... I am pakeha but went to bilingual school, am pro treaty settlements, predominantly hunt WITH Maori people, have been involved with Maori society my entire life and my family members are buried in a Maori urupa. Please be more careful about the snap judgements you make based on a single comment.
      - jasonisalive 12y ago
        Sorry, in my experience white South Island culture is generally pro-hunting and anti-Maori. I've also met plenty of rural North Island people who are cut from the same cloth. I take back the implied characterisation of you but I've seen it many times that when Aotearoa is discussed among foreigners online, Pakeha apologists come forward and start pushing their agenda in a way that sounds very reasonable and benign to those not in the know. And hunting seems to be one of those issues where the apologists feel like drawing a line in the sand. People tend to assume NZ is this cute little nation where everyone agrees on everything, so everyone is on the same page when it comes to stuff like hunting, environmentalism, etc. So I would say it's useful to have it pointed out that there are big differences of opinion. Anyway it's interesting to know that there are Maori who hunt, that's something that I'd like to learn more about.
        EdwardDiego 12y ago
        > Anyway it's interesting to know that there are Maori who hunt, that's something that I'd like to learn more about. http://www.maoritelevision.com/tv/shows/hunting-aotearoa http://www.maoritelevision.com/tv/shows/hunting-aotearoa
EdwardDiego 12y ago
You ask an excellent question. Maori people do heaps of hunting, I have no idea what the person you're responding to is on about. Hell, the best hunting show is on Maori television: http://www.maoritelevision.com/tv/shows/hunting-aotearoa http://www.maoritelevision.com/tv/shows/hunting-aotearoa

jasonisalive 12y ago

Hunting is a traditional activity among Pakeha farmers and farming communities in Aotearoa. These people came from lower and middle class British communities, and enthusiastically began hunting in Aotearoa because in Britain it was traditionally an upper-class-only privilege. As such it is and has always been primarily been a leisure activity. Nowadays Pakeha culture is strongest in rural areas so the hunting continues and is part of a grid of activities (rugby, agricultural shows, many varieties of sport, other farming-centric activities) which strengthen in-group bonds. Maori hunted extensively for subsistence, primarily bird and fish species, but this was more trapping and gathering (rope traps for birds, gathering bivalves). In recent times their culture has become more urban-based, relatively young and lower SES, and I think they are more involved and interested these days in urban family/community ties, Marae activities, travel and international youth culture. Maori groups promote the traditional ecology of the islands, and promote the authenticity of traditional Maori food-gathering, but especially given the scarcity of native birdlife, don't actually hunt birds anymore (as far as I'm aware - though shell-gathering is popular). The university-liberal segment of Pakeha culture that is pro-Maori is generally pretty pacifist and urban, so they don't participate in rural-centric activities like hunting. I think Maori people in Aotearoa taking up white-style hunting would be like native tribes in America turning into massive baseball lovers.

EdwardDiego 12y ago
Are you actually from NZ? Because what you're saying doesn't really match reality. Heaps of Maori people hunt.
- jasonisalive 12y ago
  News to me, but I haven't spent much time in the North Island so maybe I just haven't seen it. I'm not really a North Island/Maori expert.
  - cconcepts 12y ago
    So, you're not an expert, but I'm still defensive, irritable (with) black and white argumentation when the pro-white side (presumably me) feels under attack.... I am pakeha but went to bilingual school, am pro treaty settlements, predominantly hunt WITH Maori people, have been involved with Maori society my entire life and my family members are buried in a Maori urupa. Please be more careful about the snap judgements you make based on a single comment.
    - jasonisalive 12y ago
      Sorry, in my experience white South Island culture is generally pro-hunting and anti-Maori. I've also met plenty of rural North Island people who are cut from the same cloth. I take back the implied characterisation of you but I've seen it many times that when Aotearoa is discussed among foreigners online, Pakeha apologists come forward and start pushing their agenda in a way that sounds very reasonable and benign to those not in the know. And hunting seems to be one of those issues where the apologists feel like drawing a line in the sand. People tend to assume NZ is this cute little nation where everyone agrees on everything, so everyone is on the same page when it comes to stuff like hunting, environmentalism, etc. So I would say it's useful to have it pointed out that there are big differences of opinion. Anyway it's interesting to know that there are Maori who hunt, that's something that I'd like to learn more about.
      - EdwardDiego 12y ago
        > Anyway it's interesting to know that there are Maori who hunt, that's something that I'd like to learn more about. http://www.maoritelevision.com/tv/shows/hunting-aotearoa http://www.maoritelevision.com/tv/shows/hunting-aotearoa

EdwardDiego 12y ago

You ask an excellent question. Maori people do heaps of hunting, I have no idea what the person you're responding to is on about. Hell, the best hunting show is on Maori television: http://www.maoritelevision.com/tv/shows/hunting-aotearoa http://www.maoritelevision.com/tv/shows/hunting-aotearoa