Matiunz
Contributor
Itās an impossible argument unfortunately. Modern society means colonisation of some form would almost certainly of happened, other parties at the time would likely of had worse outcomes.This is an interesting point of view.
Would Maori have developed without foreign capital investment and foreign economic and educational systems? We will never now but I would suggest NZ would be an isolated backwater like much of the pacific islands or Africa.
Would it have been better? All perspective but many currently leave for āwesternā countries. 170,000 Maori have left for the bright lights of Australia which is a hugely significant 20% of the Maori population. The take away for me is Maori embrace western colonised society.
Bit of a genie out of the bottle scenario that thereās no going back nor is there anyway to āmake it rightā. Do empathise with anyone who has a negatively impacted life but the discussion needs to be around how do we improve outcomes for all and unify and grow together without playing the blame and victim games