[Glenda]

[quote:27f1c97110="tottefan"]I've often heard Australia and NZ referred to as egalitarian societies. That is to say, that everyone is equal, has the same chances in life etc (obviously only in comparison to other countries).

It seems to me that this is nothing but a myth. After all, the Maoris were denied the right to an education until the 1970s by the white Europeans (i.e. English :icon_evil: ). Even today they earn less, are more likely to be unemployed etc.

If what I've read is correct then the UK is probably more egalitarian than NZ!

tottefan.[/quote:27f1c97110]

I'm curious ... why do you think the "evil" English have been denying Maoris an education until the 1970's? :icon_confused: The Europeans who moved to NZ were certainly not all English - what about the Scots, Irish, Welsh, Danes, Swedes, Germans, etc.? Obviously, NZ society has been influenced by the British, more so in the beginning, but (according to my history book) by 1915 there were more pakeha-born New Zealanders than immigrants. New Zealanders have been running their own country long enough to have their own impact on their country - including giving the vote to women in 1893 (before anyone else in the world bar the women of Wyoming) and guaranteeing old age pensions in 1898.

The Maoris have not exactly been a quiet minority (unlike the Australian Aborigines) and NZ governments have had to listen to them. From the beginning they were "given every right to which a white citizen is entitled" but in reality had to be given more assistance to be an equal member of society, a process which took generations. Help was given with Maori health and education, and the Maori was encouraged to farm instead of selling off their land. Naturally, there was many a white man eager to buy their land, and some unscrupulous men often did at price below its value. There was also some inequality at one stage in the benefit rates given to Maori and Pakeha on the premise that Maoris did not need it so much as they basically 'lived off their land'. In the 1940's, however, the government realised they needed to spend much more money on Maori education, housing and welfare.

The trouble then, and now, is that in order to compete successfully in society, particularly the business world, Maoris have to accept to some degree to become a "brown pakeha" and many did not and some still do not want to. Getting an education, going to university and working up to promotion and prosperity is considered "white" by a few and unpatriotic to Maori "culture". Governments try ... giving schools a decile rating and pouring money into the poorer (high percentage of Maori ) ones, and giving almost free university education to Maori whilst pakehas have to take out student loans.

This is a difficult issue, almost on a par with the black population in the UK. The opportunities are there for both but culture, history, background and environment can make them less accessible. I am not going to bring in the 'race' issue as Maoris are an integral part of NZ society and their culture accepted as an important part of NZ's identity. 'Race' is rarely an issue with NZers ... it is other 'cultures' they feel threatened by. If a black, brown, Chinese, or a little green man from outer space :icon_lol: moved to NZ to 'become proper All Black-loving Kiwis' they would be generally accepted ... after a while. But NZers are prickly about their cultural identity (or lack of it) and don't want people moving here to change things.

Just a little history and my thoughts ... no doubt there are a lot of other issues I've missed. I won't be offended if someone disagrees or says I am talking a load of rubbish. :icon_biggrin:

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