💰 Māori Economic Principles

Comparing Value Systems | Unit 4: Economic Justice | Years 9-10

📋 What You'll Learn:

  • Understand core Māori economic principles (kotahitanga, manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga)
  • Compare Māori and capitalist approaches to wealth and resources
  • Analyze how different economic values shape outcomes
  • Evaluate which system better serves community wellbeing

Part 1: Understanding Māori Economic Values

🤝 Kotahitanga (Unity & Collective Wellbeing)

Economic decisions prioritize the collective good over individual profit. Resources are shared, and wealth is measured by community prosperity, not personal accumulation.

Reflect: How would your family's financial decisions change if you focused on collective wellbeing?

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🌿 Kaitiakitanga (Guardianship & Sustainability)

Economic activity must protect the environment for future generations. Resources aren't "owned"— they're held in trust. Short-term profit never justifies long-term harm.

Reflect: Name a modern industry that violates kaitiakitanga. What would change if they followed this principle?

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💚 Manaakitanga (Generosity & Care)

Wealth creates obligations to care for others. Hoarding resources is shameful— generosity and reciprocity build mana (prestige). The wealthy have duties to the poor.

Reflect: How does capitalism view wealth accumulation differently than manaakitanga?

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Part 2: Head-to-Head Comparison

Māori Economic Model

  • Goal: Community wellbeing
  • Resources: Shared, managed collectively
  • Wealth: Obligation to care for others
  • Land: Cannot be sold (taonga)
  • Success: Everyone has enough
  • Time: Long-term (7 generations)

Capitalist Model

  • Goal: Individual profit
  • Resources: Privately owned, bought/sold
  • Wealth: Personal achievement to protect
  • Land: Commodity for investment
  • Success: Accumulating more than others
  • Time: Short-term (quarterly profits)
Critical Analysis: Which system would better address homelessness, poverty, and environmental destruction? Explain with specific examples.

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Part 3: Real-World Case Study

The Tūhoe Settlement & Te Urewera

In 2014, Tūhoe negotiated a treaty settlement that was radically different from typical settlements. Instead of accepting ownership of Te Urewera (their ancestral lands), they established Te Urewera as a legal entity with its own rights—neither Crown-owned nor Tūhoe-owned. The land became "itself" (te ao tūroa).

This reflects the principle that land cannot be owned—only cared for. Tūhoe are kaitiaki (guardians), not owners. The settlement prioritizes environmental health over economic exploitation.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why did Tūhoe refuse ownership of their own lands?
  2. How does this challenge capitalist ideas about property?
  3. Could this model work for other environmental protection efforts?
  4. What might corporations or developers think about this approach?
Your Analysis: Write 3-4 sentences explaining how this case study demonstrates Māori economic principles in action.

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🌟 Extension Challenge: Design Your Own Economy

If you could design an economic system for Aotearoa that blends the best of both worlds, what would it look like?

Include: How would resources be distributed? Who makes decisions? How is success measured? What protections exist for the environment and vulnerable people?

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📚 Teacher Notes:

  • Encourage students to interview whānau about their economic values
  • Connect to current debates: wealth tax, capital gains tax, housing policy
  • Challenge assumptions: "Is it possible to have too much wealth?"
  • NZC Links: Social Sciences (Economic Systems), Te Reo Māori (Tikanga), Key Competency (Thinking)