February 05, 2014
Maori part of Asian future
Former National MP and law commissioner Wayne Mapp believes New Zealand is becoming more an Asia Pacific nation, and Maori links with Asia will be an important part of that transition.
Dr Mapp delivered this year’s Waitangi Rua Rautau Lecture, which aims to look towards where Aotearoa New Zealand will be in 2040.
He says even in the 24 years since 1990’s sesquicentennial celebrations of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s make-up has changed in unexpected ways because of migration from Asia.
Maori have been responding to the change, with trade missions to China and companies like Miraka entering commercial partnerships with Asian businesses.
" I just think there’s a connection between economics, culture and relationships that we've barely begun to explore. Often we think of China purely in a commercial way. Theres much more to the relationship to than that. And cultural connections and human relationships both the indiviual but also in the broader iwi – whanau level, I think are going to be hugely important looking into the future" says " Dr Wayne Mapp
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd