The descendants of Porourangi are known as Ngāti Porou, and Ngāti Tūwharetoa in the central North Island are, of course, descended from Tūwharetoa. So if ‘Ngāti’ means ‘descended from’, then who the hell is Pākehā?
Many Europeans, and even some Māori, are using the term 'Ngāti Pākehā' to acknowledge Western roots. In a world where political correctness reigns supreme, where words are dissected with surgical precision to avoid any hint of offence, we now have this gem to add to our ever-growing lexicon of absurdity. Some have argued that it serves as a means of reconciling historical injustices, whereas others say, not even eah.
‘Pākehā’ has been in use since the arrival of the Endeavour in 1769, and it was the most frequent term for these people throughout the 19th century. “I find so much identity in ‘Pākehā’, and yet so much disdain for ‘Ngāti Pākehā’,” said Josh*, a Masters student here in Ōtepoti. “It implies equivalence at an iwi level.” You see, ‘Ngāti Pākehā’ is meant to be a tongue-in-cheek jab at those of European descent in New Zealand. It's an attempt to create a parallel with the Māori iwi (tribal) structure, suggesting that Pākehā (New Zealanders of European descent) have their own "tribe" called Ngāti Pākehā. So, essentially, those who coined ‘Ngāti Pākehā’ are suggesting that people of European descent are a tribe, complete with their own culture, customs, and traditions. I can just imagine the council meetings of the Ngāti Pākehā, where they discuss the best ways to make a cup of tea and the proper etiquette for queuing.
“Rather than upholding an organic term that’s grown across 250 years of interaction and cross-cultural exchange, we’re trending terms that are just flat-out incorrect because they sound ‘chic’,” Josh argued. “Pākehā is a stand-alone term that has been used historically. Why can’t we leave it at that?”
But even the word ‘pākehā’ is a bit mysterious. Old farts think it literally means ‘white pig’ (sadly untrue, shocker), and others believe it to have derived from ‘Pakepakehā’: mythical, fair-skinned creatures whose canoes transformed into sailing vessels. Considering our ancestors didn’t have pigs in Aotearoa, I’m sure you can draw your own conclusions.
Following the big bang that was the Māori language revitalisation movement, support from every corner of the motu has grown exponentially. Te reo Māori is present within nearly every space, Pākehā and tauiwi are embracing the reo (I mean, it’s kinda hard not to), and with the promise of bilingual road signs in the making, things are looking pretty promising.
And pride in Māori identity is soaring, too. People rep their Ngāti Wai, their Ngāti Porou, their… Ngāti Pākehā?
Wait a minute.
What gives? If ‘Ngāti Pākehā’ basically means “I’m white”, embracing it as a tribal identity sort of implies that the settlement of New Zealand is equal and valid on the part of both Māori and Pākehā. Josh said that while “one was a natural human journey via generations of… explorers who would become Ngāti Māori, Pākehā settlements [were] a deliberate, planned colonisation.” Only one of these groups “usurped the indigenous people of 95% of their lands, protocols and indigenous law.”
It goes without saying that the concept of a multicultural and inclusive society is highly valued here in Aotearoa. Just look at the University of Otago website and you’ll see exactly what I mean: in-your-face diversity and incessant inclusivity. You get the idea. “Perhaps the term is inclusive to some people,” said Josh. “[But] what’s wrong with ‘Pākehā’ on its own?”
Julia*, a design student at the Polytechnic who had never heard of ‘Ngāti Pākehā’, agreed that it was a bizarre concept: “It’s just as bad as ‘Straight Pride’… so self-righteous.” Essentially, it disregards the Māori experience and uses the term ‘Ngāti’ as nothing more than a stamp of approval, according to Josh. But it doesn’t stop there.
The term ‘Ngāti Pākehā’ is also a not-so-subtle attempt to transform the history of European ‘settlers’ from colonists to something closer to home, something tribal, as if they’ve always been here. It’s like saying, “Look at us, we’re just as cool as the Māori with their rich cultural heritage, except our cultural practices mainly involve eating pies and watching rugby.” Striving for a multicultural society is great, but sometimes we’ve got to stay in our lanes.
Not even Ngāti, cuz, just Pākeha. Own it.
*Names changed.