TE MANA, TE KAWANATANGA: THE POLITICS OF SELF DETERMINATION.

• Author: Piripi, Haami
• Position: Review

by Mason Durie Oxford University Press

Professor Mason Durie of Ngati Kauwhata and Rangitane Iwi is Professor and head of the Department of Maori studies at Massey University. He has also been director of the Maori Health Research Unit at Massey (Te Pumanawa Hauora). As a psychiatric health researcher and Maori mental health expert he has contributed enormously to the wider appreciation of Maori health concepts. His influence on health policy in New Zealand has led to an increased understanding of the critical importance of social, economic, political and cultural determinates of Maori health.

His latest book "Te Mana, Te Kawanatanga The Politics of Self Determination" draws together an abbreviated chronological history of British and State interactions with Maori. In particular he discusses significant developments and events of the recent past and provides a pragmatic analysis of the factors and issues influencing the ability for Maori to gain future autonomy. In the context of his focus on Maori self-determination, this work is a logical progression from his previous writings which have focussed more specifically on the health sector. He has written about Maori models of health provision, effective purchasing frameworks for Maori Health Services and provided a broader examination of the historical and political context of Maori health. In his previous book "Whaiora -- Maori Health Development" it is clear that to improve Maori health in any real sense, more aspects of Tino Rangatiratanga must be addressed first.

In his analysis of the interface between the Crown and Maori there are two broad themes. The first is about the role of the state in either facilitating or blocking Maori development. The other is about the capacity of Maori to take advantage of windows of opportunity in a situation of change to realise aspirations for cultural, social and economic advancement. Professor Durie views self-determination in terms of advancement for all Maori through social equity, economic self-sufficiency and cultural affirmation, with an additional goal of nurturing the physical, social and cultural environment for future generations.

The first chapter of this book is a brief historical overview of Maori development where he establishes the traditional foundations of Maori authority and recounts early moves to establish a Maori nationhood culminating in the Maori Declaration of Independence (1835). This embodiment of Maori Sovereignty (in itself a...