Māori
Definition
Māori refers to the Indigenous Peoples of Aotearoa/New Zealand who experience acculturation within a post-colonial settler society context. Research with Māori has revealed that their conceptualizations of multiculturalism differ significantly from Western acculturation science frameworks, with Māori perspectives emphasizing grounding in Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) and the value of Manaakitanga (hospitality and care) as essential to welcoming newcomers. A critical concern identified by Māori is that multiculturalism could undermine indigeneity by positioning them as merely another ethnic minority, making their support for multicultural policies conditional on preservation of the bicultural partnership and Indigenous priorities established by the Treaty. Studying Māori acculturation experiences addresses a significant gap in acculturation science, which has historically neglected Indigenous Peoples despite extensive intercultural contact occurring on their lands, and requires integration of historical contexts of colonization alongside contemporary multicultural conditions.
Sources: Ward et al. (2025)
Related Terms
Applications
Māori and Multiculturalism
Māori perspectives on multiculturalism reveal limited overlap with Western acculturation science definitions, which emphasize multicultural ideology, contact, and policies. From the Māori viewpoint, successful multiculturalism must be grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and centered on Manaakitanga, and must not override the bicultural partnership and Indigenous priorities established by the Treaty.
Sources: Ward et al. (2025)
Māori and Colonization
The acculturation experiences of Māori must be understood within the historical context of colonization. Contemporary systemic racism and Indigenous deprivation affect Māori outcomes.
Sources: Ward et al. (2025)
