Defining A ‘Maori Geography’: Issues Explained, and one Personal Opinion on What It Could Consist of

Abstract

Issues associated with defining a ‘Maori Geography’ are explored. The tribal nature of Maori people is presented as a possible obstacle to defining a ‘Maori Geography’. Founding Ideologies, Maori Land, Maori Mind and Cultural Artifacts are established as possible contributions to a ‘Maori Geography’. It is concluded that definition, and creation of a ‘Maori Geography’ should be left to Maori themselves. To speak of a ‘Maori Geography’ is to assume that a singular collective ‘Maori’ society, with characteristic culture, exists in contemporary Aotearoa. It assumes a definition of what constitutes ‘geographic knowledge’. When examining the culture of ‘another’, geographers need to be aware of their own assumptions. When aware of their own partiality, geographers can observe and create a ‘Geography of Maori’ which reflects the ideals and practices of Maori culture itself.