What's My Role?

Asking Pākehā about their culture is like asking a fish to describe water. There is a tendency to see our culture as "just normal" or even an absence of culture. It's often when we go overseas that we see we have something unique. Pākehā culture has been shaped by our ancestory, our relationship with Māori and the land. 

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A look at privilage 'Land of the Long  White Cloud' Radio NZ webseries "

How do white New Zealanders overcome feelings of guilt to take positive action against racism in Aotearoa?

Land of the Long White Cloud is a seven-part documentary web-series that tells the stories of New Zealanders who are reflecting on their colonial heritage and white guilt, and the ways they push through to find a more healthy Pākehā identity.

The Series Producer's explain "This is an anti-racism conversation timed to coincide with the 250 year anniversary of Captain Cook’s arrival in Aotearoa."  Racism is a white problem, and the onus is on white New Zealanders to look at ourselves."

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'State of the Pākehā Nation' is an audio recording

"What Pākehā need to grapple with to make the Pākehā nation a compelling place for the coming generations."

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"I have a choice not to look at this.... Maybe it's too big for me.... Maybe I'll feel isolated and blamed." Acknowledging these thoughts takes their power away. These are normal human worries. Naming them will help us have compassion for others who are also brave enough to learn. We don't need to argue with the thoughts. We can name them, forgive ourself and then carry on in the direction of fairness, caring for others, justice, honesty.....Keep practicing. It does get easier.

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'Pākehā Identity and the Treaty' 

"I’ve often heard is Pākehā insecurity about their identity and place of belonging. “Māori know who they are, but who are we?”

So, although Pākehā “enjoy” the political, social, and economic advantages of a dominant people, in the deep area of our identity, we are insecure and somewhat challenged."

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'Being Pākehā' By Michael King

"Unless you were Māori, it was possible and forgivable, in the 1940s, to view New Zealand as a single-culture society. The country’s major institutions were based on European models, the systems of government and law derived from Britain, the dominant values were post-industrial revolution, Western and Christian. Most New Zealanders accepted this package without question, and new immigrants were expected to conform to it. So were Māoris when they moved out of their rural communities into the nation’s towns. Suspicion and hostility fell upon those who behaved differently or spoke any language other than English."