Maybe turning the situation on its head provides a better basis for the actions that Maori wish to take against their colonisiers?
Imagine that ISIS overran NZ. They made it mandatory to speak Arabic and denied English as a permissible language. They install Islam as the predominant religion and the basis of our legal structure. ISIS overturns our parliament in favour of a Shar'ia based political structure.
What acts of defiance would be considered justified in such a scenario? Revolt for our own ideologies, language, identity and independence?
Isn't that what situation the Maori found themselves in a couple of centuries ago? How then can they be criticised for standing up for their cultural losses?
Imagine that ISIS overran NZ. They made it mandatory to speak Arabic and denied English as a permissible language. They install Islam as the predominant religion and the basis of our legal structure. ISIS overturns our parliament in favour of a Shar'ia based political structure.
What acts of defiance would be considered justified in such a scenario? Revolt for our own ideologies, language, identity and independence?
Isn't that what situation the Maori found themselves in a couple of centuries ago? How then can they be criticised for standing up for their cultural losses?