Hon Willie Jackson hosts the Urban Māori launch |
WELLINGTON. A breakfast event at Parliament this set a rousing launchpad for Urban
Māori, the history of Māori migration and adaptation to the cities written
by Bradford Haami.
The Hon Willie Jackson, Minister of
Employment and Associate Minister of Māori Development, hosted the event for Te
Whānau o Waipareira, which commissioned Oratia to publish the work.
MP Peeni Henare welcomed the telling of this chapter in Māori history |
Labour Party Deputy Leader Hon Kelvin Davis was
among a host of MPs in attendance (including Minister of Defence Hon Ron Mark, Hon Peeni Henare and Rino Tirakatene of Labour, and National’s Arts and Culture Spokesperson
Paul Goldsmith).
Waipareira Chair Ray Hall said the Trust had long felt such a book was needed |
Ray Hall, Chair of Te Whānau o Waipareira,
and CEO John Tamihere, both paid tribute to the struggles of those who had gone
before to establish urban communities as the proportion of Māori living in the
cities mushroomed from under 20% before World War to over 90% in the post-war decades.
John Tamihere (left) with Brian Easton, author of the forthcoming Heke Tangata |
Tamihere looked forward to the May release
of Heke Tangata, this book’s companion
publication – an economic analysis of Māori migration and post-war economic
performance by Brian Easton.
Minister Jackson reflected that despite the
apparent tensions between iwi and urban identity, most Māori today are at home
in both worlds – it is just that resources are not yet equally distributed to
the urban communities.
Bradford Haami spoke of his desire to
record the real experiences of ordinary whānau, telling the on the ground story
of those who moved to the cities in search of work, opportunities and
entertainment.
Author Bradford Haami (left) with fellow author and broadcaster Paul Diamond |
Oratia is privileged to have been a part of this kaupapa. Our appreciation to John and the team at Te Whānau o Waipareira for making it possible and to Hon Willie Jackson for hosting today's events.
Thanks also to Brad for his brilliant research and storytelling, and to our editorial squad of Anna Fomison, Carolyn Lagahetau and Frances Chan for seeing the concept into a fine-looking publication.
Urban Māori is available from all good booksellers.
Urban Māori: The Second Great Migration |
ISBN: 978-0-947506-28-5 | RRP $39.99
Paperback with flaps, 234
x 153 mm, 304 pages b&w