Biculturalism, women’s collectives, Māori feminism and mana wāhine Māori : de-storying narratives of mono-culturalism within postcolonial Aotearoa/New Zealand

Abstract

He iwi kotahi tātou – We are one people? The beginning of Mono-culturalism in Aotearoa/New Zealand. We are one people? • Became a rationale for assimilation policies and mono-culturalism. • Hobson’s words epitomised European attitudes towards Māori. European colonists and Māori were to become one people, one culture and live under one law, a European law, where Māori were to become brown Pākehā and assimilated into European culture.

... De-storying narratives of mono-culturalism • Has been an important aspect of feminism within the context of postcolonial Aotearoa/New Zealand in order to create space for biculturalism and distinct Māori feminist frameworks such as Mana wāhine Māori, a Māori feminist discourse which affirms Māori women as critical actors for social change.