Pakeha

[Skyryder]

Nah don't bother me..............it is my choice whether to take offence....it is only a name.

So is being called a cunt (taiawa)



Pakeha specifally denotes europeans. If any changes in the words meaning has taken place it now refers to New Zealanders of European orogin. The meaning of the word varies slighlty from Iwi to Iwi but a close aproximation of the meaning is that of someone who 'smells' like a pig. (poaka)

It is a derogatory epithet.

That meaning has not changed in Maori. I personally find the word offensive and have never refered to myself by it. If any changes in the words meaning has taken place it now refers 'exclusivley' to New Zealanders of european orogin.

That we still allow the word to describe a Caucasoid is indicitive of how little we acknowledge our own self respect.


Skyyrder

[Skyryder]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakeha

Interesting reading.

I read this and it does not tally with what Maori have told me.


Years back I worked on the Geothermal power project in the North Island and on occasion came into contact with Maori by way of members of our drilling crew.

One night at one of the hangis after rugby game the meaning or the word pakeha came under discussion. Now I can only go by what I have been told is the meaning of the word but I clearly remember the reluctance on the part of some Maori to discuss it. As I mentioned in my earlier post the word defines one who 'smells like a pig with a little variation of meaning from Iwi to Iwi and this is what I was told The most notable thing that I remember from that night is the general reluctance to discuss the meaning of the word in case I took offence.

I think Wikie is wrong in this.

Skyryder

[oldrider]

My understanding of the word Maori was simply used to describe collective things and was adapted by Pakeha to describe all "Maori", so who should really be feeling insulted?

Pakeha will do me and I don't care if you think it is insulting because like Te Urewera, once an insult, is now a name worn with pride!

So too are the descriptives, Maori and Pakeha, they are a distinct part of our history, hard earned and should be accepted with pride!

I for one, am certainly proud to bear the name "Pakeha"!

But make no mistake, I am a New Zealander above all else! Cheers John (Pakeha New Zealander and proud of it)

[Animal]

Ngati Party! Hand me another beer, mate.

Fucking labels... I'd be delighted to see them all consolidated in that if you were born in NZ, your're a NEW ZEALANDER. If you emigrate from someplace, embrace NZ as your new home at are privleged to get NZ citizenship, you're a NEW ZEALANDER. If not, you're whatever the hell your passport says you are.

The hell with race/continental origin as a means of labelling people. I was born in South Africa, a country at the bottom of the African continent, so I'm defined as African. Because I was born in Jo'burg, my now-expired passport tells me I'm South African. My parents spoke English and I went to English medium schools. Therefore Afrikaans was my not my home language, so I'm defined as English speaking. However, I actually do speak Afrikaans and a couple of other languages, yet I'm still regarded as English. However, my ancestoral origins are Irish and Scottish, so I'm actually not English at all. Because my ethnicity is Caucasian, I'm also regarded as European, but the first time I ever saw Europe was when I was ten years old. In South Africa, I was grouped as White, although I change to brown when I tan, red when I burn, green when I'm sick and blue when I'm cold. I emigrated to NZ several years ago, so I'm an Immigrant. I paid my way and met NZ's entry criteria based on my qualifications and skills, so I'm Not A Refugee. I have NZ Citizenship, but because I'm of European descent, I'm a pakeha. (In lower case, unlike capitalised Maori, apparently.)

If I had to choose the tick box relevant to me on forms, it would be NEW ZEALANDER, because that's why I emigrated to this delightful country. If I wanted to be CANADIAN, I would've gone to Canada, or to the West Island if I wanted to be AUSTRALIAN. If I wanted to be BRAZILIAN, I... fuckit, let's not go there.

I consider myself privileged to be a New Zealander. Not White/European/Import/pakeha.

So there!

[Ocean1]

I consider myself privileged to be a New Zealander. Not White/European/Import/pakeha.

So there!

How refreshingly... foreign, dude. Gotta agree, the rest of the world see us as Kiwis, splitting it any finer than that is simply devisive.

[avgas]

My understanding of the word Maori was simply used to describe collective things and was adapted by Pakeha to describe all "Maori", so who should really be feeling insulted?

Most 'common' terms were adaptations as there was no "Maori" word for it.
Maori is a term which was imbraced regardless of where it came from. Pakeha was 'applied' without question or consultation. Meanings aside - would you sign your name on a form that you answered if you didn't know what the question translated to?

[oldrider]

Most 'common' terms were adaptations as there was no "Maori" word for it.
Maori is a term which was imbraced regardless of where it came from. Pakeha was 'applied' without question or consultation. Meanings aside - would you sign your name on a form that you answered if you didn't know what the question translated to?

Ah, that is a little bit different

I said "I am a New Zealander, above all else" I only sign forms that state that, or I alter the form!

I do not officially answer to "European" or "Caucasian" either but you may call me that if wish, without offence! (they have less meaning to me than Pakeha)

They are just historical descriptors, who cares, I don't.

For instance, the census papers, I altered that to read "New Zealander" but I am happy to be referred to as a Pakeha etc in person.

I can only control how I feel about me or the world and I can not control how you or the world feels about me!

But I can hope to "influence" the outcome by my behaviour! Cheers John.

[mstriumph]

Have you read Michael King's The Penguin History of New Zealand?

sheesh NOW i'm confused - how did you get from pakehas to penguins??



............ but seriously, dontcha think that ALL labels invite discrimination?

...... now, with sauce bottles or noodles, discrimination prolly isn't a BAD thing .... but with PEOPLE? hey, don't we have enough problems already without inviting more?

[scracha]

Pakeha, despite allegations about its origins, is a name generally used to denote a non-Maori person. No offence is generally intended in its use, so none should be taken.

Just like the word "nigger" being used to denote a black person?

[Hitcher]

Just like the word "nigger" being used to denote a black person?

Quite. Evil is in the mind of the beholder. And like any word, context and intent is vital. If the word is used to hurt or demean, that is the fault of the deliverer, rather than of the word itself.

[Aurora]

I just dont give a fuck, its another nickname in my book. I was always taught to show respect to people and it comes back tenfold. No respect = no attention from me.

[Aurora]

Quite. Evil is in the mind of the beholder. And like any word, context and intent is vital. If the word is used to hurt or demean, that is the fault of the deliverer, rather than of the word itself.

Fuck yea

[mstriumph]

I have a forename. Is Mohammed considered to be a Christian name? and do little jewish boys have their forenames cut off?

1. no

2. only about a cm of it ...... say the first three letters?

[inlinefour]

Reckon it would only be a problem if you let it be. I like many others describe myself as a New Zealander and often tick the "other" option and write it in. However if someone wants to call me a Pakeha, I'm not going to loose any sleep over it. Life is far too short for that.

[BuFfY]

I think I missed somthin here - How does being petite fit into the coversation?

Did you just add that in there to tease us males - You sexy red head petite girl who rides a motor bike, educated and .......
Hope your married, or have a boy friend.

Actually... I am single

Oh and it means they could beat me up fairly easily! So I choose my words carefully

You've not met Buffy?
She's 25st (at least), but standing beside her 'classmates', she's petite....
shit I'm for it now
jk

I am 20.... lol