View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by ResearchArchive at Victoria University of Wellington A History of Marginalisation: Maori Women by Monique Gemmell A thesis submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education Victoria University of Wellington 2013 Page i of 102 Page ii of 102 Abstract This thesis is a history of marginalisation as experienced by Maori women within New Zealand. My argument is that through the founding British Crown, the education system and Christianity, Maori women were marginalised (Pihama, 2001). My hypothesis is that once we understand how we were marginalised, we begin to liberate ourselves. I seek to identify legislation and social phenomena that marginalised Maori women. These are the sorts of discourses led to assimilative, alienative and hegemonic outcomes for ori women. Moana Jackson refers to this form of marginalisation and its influences as, “the destruction of the Maori soul” (as cited by Mikaere, 1995, p. 138). The consequences of marginalisation will highlight the importance of identity, matauranga Maori and the relevance of whenua to Maori women (Mikaere, 2003). In undertaking this task, I seek to answer how the New Zealand education system could contribute to emancipating Maori women. By applying a Kaupapa Maori methodology (Smith, G. , 1997), an examination of how Maori women were effected by colonisation and imperialism will be explored. For this study, I have opted to utilise a qualitative approach in gathering and undertaking my research (Denzin & Lincoln, 1984). The Kaupapa Maori methodology and a qualitative method enable me as a Maori woman to tell the story of our lived experiences as Maori women. Keywords Maori women, mana wahine, marginalisation, transformation, education Page iii of 102 Acknowledgements First and foremost I offer my sincerest gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Wally Penetito, whose patience and knowledge has supported me. Wally, you’re teachings have and always will remain a positive influence in my life. To Victoria University, I thank you for the opportunity that I have been given in writing and studying at a Master level. My examiners, I thank you for your insight and clarity and I hope that I have strengthened my thesis through your review. I would also like to thank Dr. Kath Irwin for her commitment and dedication to teaching me from the onset of my Masters journey. Without a doubt your passion and belief in Maori women has influenced my thesis choice. This thesis would never have happened without the supportive working environment of the Koru Institute of Training and Education (KITE). To my company directors, my work colleagues, and all our students, thank you, your support has been overwhelming and without you I could not have done this. I owe my deepest gratitude to my family. To my Mum and Dad; there are not words to be found that express my gratitude for your never-ending love, support and belief in me. To my dad, I was fortunate to have gained the genetic traits of logic and reasoning, to my mum I was bequeathed the art of challenging and standing up for myself. Without both your strengths I would not have achieved the things I have done in my life, I love you both. To my husband; thank you for all the coffees and the late nights reading my thesis. You have been my rock throughout this process and have always held my hand. God gifted me with 5 daughters, Samantha, Victoria, Natasha, Isabella and Anastasia, thank you for being patient and giving me the strength to carry on, it is perhaps God’s choice that I should write about women and only have daughters. But to my girls - always remember your whakapapa, hold on to the future– remember who you are and where you come from – Kia kaha. To my Nan; thank you, you have been one of the strongest influences in my life. I miss you every day and wish you were here, but having you in my heart has kept me strong and has influenced my journey. Lastly, to my Mum and study buddy, Sharon Gemmell; I don’t know how many times I wanted to give up, but just knowing you were up at the late hours of the night studying and sweating over your thesis gave me the strength to keep going. Mum you are the greatest inspiration in my life – you are living proof of mana wahine. Thank you for all your support. Page iv of 102 Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................. iv Table of Contents .................................................................................................................. v Chapter 1: Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2: Research Design And Methodology ................................................................ 5 Chapter 3: The Significance Of Maori Women .............................................................. 15 Chapter 4: Examining The Marginalisation Of Maori Women ...................................... 33 Chapter 5: Identity, A Sense Of Belonging And Matauranga Maori .............................. 55 Chapter 6: Conclusion ..................................................................................................... 79 Glossary Of Terms .............................................................................................................. 83 Bibliography ........................................................................................................................ 87 Page v of 102 Chapter 1: Introduction Topic This thesis, A History of Marginalisation: Maori Women, is best defined as a thesis regarding how Maori women were excluded and made to feel inferior through the advancement of colonisation and imperialism within Aotearoa. It will reflect upon hegemonic processes of Western civilisation and the implementation of such processes within New Zealand. The effect of marginalisation is still evident in today’s society with many Maori women struggling for freedom from colonisation (Pihama, 2001). Understanding how colonisation affected our identity, our knowledge base and our sense of belonging, I offer education as a transformative tool for liberating Maori women. Aims of Research By applying a kaupapa Maori methodology (Smith, G. , 1997) to this thesis, I intend to explore how Maori women were made to feel inferior and often invisible through imperialism and colonisation. The use of kaupapa Maori as a methodology necessitates that the research is undertaken in a manner beneficial to Maori. Research undertaken by Maori for Maori should contribute to matauranga Maori and be emancipatory (Smith, L., 1999). A qualitative approach to research, synonymous with kaupapa Maori, will be undertaken, enabling me to tell the story of how Maori women were made inferior, and in some cases invisible, through our lived experiences (Cronbach, 1975). I hope to offer education as a transformative process. I will endeavour to answer the question - how can education contribute to liberating Maori women? The focus areas for this thesis are: 1. the historical role and responsibilities of Maori women; 2. the impact colonisation and imperialism had upon Maori women; and 3. how education can be a transformative tool in contributing to the future aspirations of Maori and in particular, Maori women. Key Maori Definitions In writing my thesis, I intend to use Maori concepts and words and while these cannot be easily translated I will explain what these words mean in the context in which I have used them. A glossary of terms is also available to assist the reader. European ethnographers applied the term Maori to define us as a people (Smith, L. , 1999). In this paper I also refer to Maori as the tangata whenua or in other terms, as the people of the land. For Maori today, the term Maori defines the Indigenous people of Page 1 of 102 Aotearoa (ethnic grouping). As Maori, we continue to identify ourselves through iwi, hapu and whanau (Rangihau, 1975). Our knowledge base, matauranga Maori, is informed through our worldview, te ao Maori (Mead, 2003). Matauranga Maori informs us as to how we know what we know. Matauranga Maori is our knowledge base. It stems from a time prior to mankind, a time from where the world and all livings things descend. As whare matauranga, or possessors of knowledge, Maori women were active transmitters of the Maori world view and knowledge base. The word wahine is discussed in more detail in the third chapter of this thesis. Wahine does not only define us as Maori women, it permits us to identify ourselves throughout times in our lives. The position of wahine, as Maori women exists not statically, but as a process of evolution (Pihama, 2001). As whare tangata, or as translated, the housing of the human species, Maori women were respected for their ability to ensure the future of the iwi (Law Commission - Te Aka Matua O Te Ture, 1999). Mana is described as power, authority, status, prestige and integrity. Mana cannot be possessed or generated by an individual; it is bequeathed upon an individual and/or groups (Henare, 1998). Therefore in the context of this thesis mana wahine is used to mean, Maori women’s rights or our right to challenge and gain back our power, author, status and integrity (Pihama, 2001).