Today the final stage of a tangi [funeral] for the late Maori Queen was broadcast live on national television for over six hours non-stop. Many dignitaries from New Zealand and the wider Pacific paid their respects, gave tributes, and shared memories. It was an impressive affair, laden with ceremony and tradition. The Maori people have a rich cultural heritage, and it has not been forgotten. In spite of this however, they're not doing so well in society overall. They have the highest rates of poverty and crime in this country, and the most health problems - the life expectancy for Maori men is a third-world-standard 55 years. Somewhere along the line they have been damaged, and have developed a new culture of the worst kind. The Government is pouring out cash and funding left-right-and-center (much to the disgust of many non-Maori New Zealanders) to try to counter this - but money only fixes technical glitches. This goes far deeper. The cause? I'm not going to try to nail that down - it's way too complex for an easy answer - but I don't think that the "European take-over" is the primary problem. Because they were once a strong people, culturally, spiritually, morally - not so long ago. The slow dawn of their decline is still within living memory.
They are, unfortunately, not unique in these respects. There are many cultures and peoples who seem to have lost their purpose and hope. What can be done for them? Nothing, I'm afraid. They must take action themselves - embarking on a quest that, if successful, will bring them in time to the foothills of the designs of God.
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