A presentation by Adrian, Brian,
and Dan
Moriori view: That they are tchatat henu
(tangata whenua) of the Chatham
Islands.
Colonial/Popular view: That they are the
original inhabitants of NZ who were
forced to flee to the Chatham Islands in
the face of a superior culture the Maori.
Modern view: Moriori and Maori share a
common ancestor.
Slander
Land Ownership
Failure of the Crown to protect Moriori
under the Treaty of Waitangi.
Moriori have been portrayed as being an
inferior and low culture in Crown publications
such as the School Journal.
How The Maoris Came To New Zealand,
School Journal, Part 3 (March, 1916), pp. 4146
Maruiwi/Mouriuri: an inferior culture
occupying the North Island, who were driven
out and became the ancestors of the Moriori.
1870 Native Land Court decision
awarding 97% of Chathams to Maori
Leaving only 3% of Chathams to Moriori
Failure of Crown to remedy actions of
British Subjects which allowed 1835
invasion.
Failure to end slavery after 1840, or to
improve conditions of Moriori in captivity.
Slavery continued until 1863.
1835: Aprox. 900 Ngati Mutunga and
Ngati Tama invade Chatham Islands, after
being driven from their ancestral lands in
North Taranaki.
Transported in TWO journeys by a British
trading Brig from Pt. Nicholson.
Aprox. 1600 Moriori in Rekohu living
under Nunukus law. 1200-1300 survive
invasion. By 1860s fewer than 200
survive.
Because it is integral to changing
perspectives of NZs past.
Because it allows us to introduce
important concepts to students.
Because it allows us to show how historic
wrongs can be addressed.
Because it shows the determination of a
culture to survive.
Ngati Mutunga and
Ngati Tama
Moriori
1835 invasion should
have been prevented
by Crown.
Post 1840 Crown
failed to act.
Rekohu is theirs by
right.
Slandered as
inferior
Chatham Islands is not
covered under 1840
Treaty of Waitangi
Chatham Islands is
theirs by Right of
Conquest and lack of
resistance to their
claim.
Native Land Court
supported claims 1870.
POPULAR/ SOCIAL
DARWINIST VIEW
Moriori are the first
Moa Hunter people
This inferior culture
was swept away by
Maori.
European treatment
of Maori is better
than Maori treatment
of Moriori
MODERN VIEW
Moriori and Maori are
the first people of NZ.
Moriori developed a
separate material and
spiritual culture on the
Chathams.
This culture is clearly
related to, and as rich
as, Maori culture.
The past must be
judged by its own
standards.
Find common
ground
Present facts and
rationales rather
than emotions.
Guided roleplays.
Check for traps. Be
aware of your student
backgrounds.
Six thinking hats
activity to allow
students explore
different perspectives
and ways of thinking
Link concepts to
student cultural
experience.
The Chatham Islands: My Views on the Sto
ry of Rekohu (2009) http://rekohu.wordpr
ess.com/category/conversation/
Accessed October 15, 2010
http://www.waitangu-tribunal.govt.nz/report
s/
