The continuing impact of amalgamation, assimilation and integration policies

摘要

Calls for the peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand to come together inunity – tuī, tuī, tuituia – have featured frequently in oratory andwritings over the 250 years since the bark HMS Endeavourreached these shores in October 1769. The Ministry of Culture andHeritage has included as a theme for Tuia – Encounters 250events in 2019 ‘Dual Heritage, Shared Future – presenting abalanced and honest history to better understand each other, andbuild a strong foundation for a shared future.’ This paper focuseson the very high rate of prison incarceration in this country andthe large number of Māori who are incarcerated. Current criminaljustice policies undermine hopes for a positive dual heritage in ashared future. The significance of integration policies fostered bythe Hunn Report 1960 is a particular focus. The article draws onan historical report of mine published in 2001 by the WaitangiTribunal during the Wai 262 inquiry that led to the report KoAotearoa Tēnei [Waitangi Tribunal. 2011. Ko Aotearoa Tēnei: Areport into claims concerning New Zealand law and policyaffecting Māori culture and identity. Te Taumata Tuarua,Wellington: Legislation Direct] and then comments on recentcriminal justice data and governmental policies. It is concludedthat whole-of-government policies to address underlying issues ofinequality, scarcity and deprivation existing in our midst are moreimportant than tinkering with prison policies.