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From Social Control towards Political Self-Determination? Maori Seats and the Politics of Separate Maori Representation in New Zealand*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 November 2009

Augie Fleras
Augie Fleras
Affiliation:
University of Waterloo
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Abstract

The principle of guaranteed parliamentary representation for the Maori remains a contentious feature of New Zealand's political structure. This concession originated in 1867 to solve the “Maori problem” by means consistent with the competing interests of government and Maori. But despite intrinsic drawbacks within the present system, neither Maoris nor the major political parties have initiated fundamental reforms in the design of Maori seats for fear of tampering with the status quo. Recently, with the resurgence of Maori assertiveness, developments have transpired aimed at redefining the status of separate representation. Whether or not this strategy for the political accommodation of minority groups can be transferred to other contexts—such as Canada—is open to debate.

Résumé

En Nouvelle-Zélande, le principe d'une représentation parlementaire statutaire pour les Maoris demeure un sujet de controverse. Cette garantie, accordée en 1867 pour résoudre le « problème maori », ne donne toujours pas entière satisfaction à chacune des parties, mais, au cours des ans, ni le gouvernement ni les Maoris n'ont montré d'empressement à remettre fondamentalement en question ce contrat social. Cependant, avec la récente resurgence des revendications maories, on commence à rediscuter de leur représentation parlementaire distincte. On peut se demander s'il n'y a pas dans ce débat sur la représentation parlementaire des minorités une analogie à tirer avec d'autres pays, notamment le Canada.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Political Science/Revue canadienne de science politique , Volume 18 , Issue 3 , September 1985 , pp. 551 - 576
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Political Science Association (l'Association canadienne de science politique) and/et la Société québécoise de science politique 1985

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