Local Māori development and government policies

Merata Kawharu, James Henare

This article considers the relevance of identity and history for Māori development policy. It explores community-based priorities for socio- economic development in defining “gaps ”and compares this with programmes initiated and implemented by government.

This article argues that major gaps are historically based and provide clues for present gaps that are measured cross-culturally in, for example, education, health, housing, justice and employment, as well as for some gaps that are not represented in statistical analysis and are inadequately considered in officialdom. Moreover, cultural principles remain fundamental to individual and group identity and, therefore, socio-economic and political survival. Thus, some major gaps are measured internally within the group and are concerned with cultural vitality.

However, in order for cultural principles to have proper legitimacy and development programmes to have rigour, it is necessary to consider carefully various shades of meaning and establish which dimensions are applicable to particular gap-closing policies. And while history and identity are essential features of community development policies, it is important that there is a clear relationship between analysis, policy and practice.