The All Blacks performance of the haka is definitely representative of the Maori as a convergence culture. Through the popularity of rugby and the success of the All Blacks, this has inspired flash mobs to perform the haka in public places, and it has also inspired fans to do the haka on the top of a sky tower to express their support. As discussed, videos of this tribal dance have been circulating the Internet via blogs, YouTube, Facebook, etc., allowing for an increase in audience participation and support globally, which can do nothing short of provide the team with inspiration. I believe that the enormous amount of support and collectivism displayed by these acts of unity coincide with the events that are occurring in New Zealand as of late.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMRGk0W4vVY&feature=player_detailpage]

Currently, the Maori make up about twenty percent of the New Zealand population. The regional council is voting on whether to reserve two Hamilton City Council seats strictly for Maori, in order to strengthen their representation and participation, which is currently nonexistent. Sixty percent of citizens, including some Maori, were against the idea. The main opposition is that “everybody in New Zealand should have the same opportunity and that opportunity should not be divided between race, creed or color,” (Ihaka, 2011), and they shouldn’t receive any special treatment. The ones who are for this idea believe that this is a necessary and strong step forward for the Maori.

There is also much debate going on about the judicial system because fifty-one percent of the prison population in New Zealand is Maori. Some believe that there is discrimination against the Maori because Police are three times more likely to arrest and prosecute them than any other ethnic group. Others believe this is merely because Maori commit crimes at a much higher rate. “There are societal attitudes and prejudices about Maori and crime,” (Sharples, 2011). The Maori prison population reinforces these prejudices, and integrates imprisonment into the norm of the Maori community. There are suggestions that the judicial system is in need of reform in order to break this cycle. The opposition believes that by saying discriminatory actions are being taken against the Maori, the victim mentality and feeling of entitlement are being reinforced in the minds of the Maori.

The differences in opinion among the Maori are representative of the holistic/individualistic divide in their culture with the emergence of new generations. Some Maori believe that individuals are responsible for their own positions in life, not all Maori are the same, that it is their responsibility to work hard and get an education in order to move forward in life, and the government and the police should not be blamed. Others feel that the middle class is simplifying the complex problem of Maori prejudice and discrimination.

The Treaty of Waitangi was basically an agreement that Māori give the Crown an exclusive right to buy lands they wish to sell, and, in return, are guaranteed full rights of ownership of their lands, forests, fisheries and other possessions; and Māori are given the rights and privileges of British subjects. So once again Europe decided they wanted something and they took it. In this case it was Maori’s New Zealand. The British invade Maori land, and make them agree to sell their things in order to keep their rights, in order to protect their commercial interests. So the British simply gave the Maori the choice to accept money and higher status from the Europeans taking over to avoid the slaughtering of indigenous people on invaded land like other groups centuries prior.

Were the current Maori protests inspired by protests all over the globe like they were in the 1970s? The poor, underrepresented, minority group standing up to “the man” for equality and justice. Can the haka performed by the All Blacks inspire the Maori’s ego individualistic and relational collectivistic values to work together and strengthen among this culture, allowing for individuals to take pride in their culture and responsibility for themselves in order to benefit the group as a whole?

The media, spanning from the local news in New Zealand to the All Blacks global representation, reinforces views and ideas about the Maori and reintegrates negativity back into New Zealand society by not representing the whole culture. With lack of representation in government, high imprisonment rates, and high poverty levels, how are the Maori to break these prejudices and cycles without reform in the government and judicial system? Also, if the Maori expect to “brown-up” New Zealand and achieve racial justice, they need to place less focus on commercialism, and more focus on public media and increasing their participation as individuals and as a society.
 
References
George, G., (2011). New Zealand Herald. Inbox lifts lid on how Maori see ‘victim’ label.
Retrieved October 28, 2011 from
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/maori/news/article.cfm?c_id=252&objectid=10758599
George, G., (2011). New Zealand Herald. Victim mentality keeps Maori on the back foot.
Retrieved October 28, 2011 from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/maori-
party/news/article.cfm?o_id=265&objectid=10756781
Glynn, K., (2011). University of Wisconsin – Madison. Convergence culture, Maori-style: The
browning up of New Zealand. Retrieved October 28, 2011 from
http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/2011/10/20/convergence-culture-maori-style-the-browning-up-of-new-zealand/
Ihaka, J., (2011). New Zealand Herald. Regional council votes in Maori seats but city against.
Retrieved October 28, 2011 from
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10762152
http://maher.filfre.net/writings/convergence.html
Preston, N., (2011). New Zealand Herald. Iwi push for Maori seats on council. Retrieved
October 28, 2011 from
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/maori/news/article.cfm?c_id=252&objectid=10761714
Sharples, P., (2011). New Zealand Herald. Tackle prejudice in justice system. Retrieved October
28, 2011 from
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/maori/news/article.cfm?c_id=252&objectid=10757807
‘The Treaty in brief’, URL: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/politics/treaty/the-treaty-in-brief, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 16-Jun-2011