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Introduction
Within New Zealand, the indigenous people, Maori, are economically disadvantaged relative to mainstream society. They are growing as a percentage of the population, with their numbers predicted to rise from 15 per cent in 2000 to 18 per cent by 2025 ([57] Te Puni Kokiri, 2000). For reasons of both social justice and national economic well being, Maori aspirations to develop economically need to be supported and encouraged. The New Zealand Government, through its social policies, is struggling to close the economic gap between Maori and others. An understanding of the past is necessary to move forward.
The objective of this study was to investigate the process of economic development within a Maori context in order to identify successful processes for economic development that can be utilised by Maori for future economic progress. This study sought to give insights into how to set up an appropriate framework to achieve suitable outcomes for these peoples, taking into account their world view.
The Maori economy
To comprehend the process of Maori economic development, it is useful to understand that Maori economic development was disrupted from about the middle of the nineteenth century. In the North Island through conflict with the Crown and land confiscations ([16] Hargreaves, 1959; [52] Sorrenson, 1995), and in the South Island through Crown land purchases, the terms of which were not honoured ([13] Evison, 1987). A review of their immediate post-contact history with Europeans shows however, that Maori did have the ability to initiate and pursue economic development.
A review of New Zealand history enables researchers to understand the social, cultural and political constructs and processes that have influenced how Maori reached their present state of economic development. A review of the literature is partitioned in two sections: "pre-contact" - referring to the time period before Maori came into contact with Europeans, and "contact" discusses the influence Europeans had on the Maori economy. Maori terms are used throughout the paper to depict a thinking process as many terms lose their meaning in translation. Care has been taken to describe these terms as accurately as possible, the first time each is presented.
Pre-contact (before 1769)
Maori, prior to European contact, had developed an extensive knowledge of New Zealand's environment. "In matters affecting animals,...