The author of a new book on Māori economics says the Government is afraid of addressing tino rangatiratanga, despite it offering many positive benefits to all New Zealanders.
University of Canterbury senior lecturer Matthew Scobie from Ngai Tahu has set out his ideas in The Economic Possibilities of Decolonisation, co-written with Anna Sturman from the University of Sydney.
He says Māori concepts of holistic community care, environmental guardianship and sustainable economic practices are integral to tino rangatiratanga, but government sees those as threats to its control.
“We’ve seen a lot of backlash in that regard, but I think that actually makes it more clear that those in power, who’ve benefitted from that power, are worried about tinorangatiratanga and its transformative possibilities,” he says.
‘
Dr Scobie says everyone can benefit from applying Māori values.
The Economic Possibilities of Decolonisation is published by Bridget Williams Books.
