Whenua- Land

Out of 66 million acres in new Zealand, less then 5% of it is still in Maori hands. Despite Maori not selling their land they are still dispossessed of it. The wastelands act was devastating. This act meant that any land not directly occupied by Maori, was confiscated by the crown.

With each subdivision there are provisions for esplanade reserves, queens chains and recent legislation taking the fore-shore and seabed there seems like little hope for Maori of the future.

I often heard our old people say that a Maori without land is a Maori without Mana. It seems to me the ones without the land are the ones getting on with life. to know how Maori are doing you need to look at them on their ancestral land.

My pakeha cousin asked me why I stay on the land. He tells me "don't you know your going to lose"? Walk away he says. When I look at his blog I often think he is right? He travels from one country to the next from one bar to the other. What do you think? Check out his blog.