The Enduring Impact of Colonisation on Māori Health and Social Inequalities

The Impact of Colonisation on Māori: A Determinant of Ongoing Inequalities

Colonisation is one of the basic processes that have impacted indigenous peoples, and their experiences, in a very significant and long-standing way. The Māori people of Aotearoa New Zealand suffered many abandoned social, economy, and health changes due to colonisation by Europeans. On his first visit to New Zealand in the late 1700s, Cook noticed that the indigenous people had very low rates of sickness and disease (Reid et al., 2019). However, with the growth of settlement in New Zealand, Māori started feeling the pinch through the loss of their land, subjection to their culture, as well as economical restrains. The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840, was intended to establish a formal agreement between the British Crown and Māori iwi (tribes), yet its breaches have significantly contributed to the systemic inequalities that persist today (NZH, 2017). Colonisation remains an ongoing process, manifesting in contemporary disparities in health, education, social welfare, and justice. As a nursing professional, reflecting on the historical and ongoing impacts of colonisation is crucial to delivering culturally safe and equitable healthcare to Māori communities.

Initial Impact of Colonisation on Māori

Before European contact, Māori society was structured around whānau (family), hapū (subtribes), and iwi, with a well-established system of land ownership and resource management. Māori had a thriving economy based on agriculture, hunting, fishing, and trade. They possessed sophisticated knowledge of medicine, using rongoā (traditional Māori healing) and spiritual beliefs to maintain health and wellbeing. Captain James Cook’s observations in the 18th century highlighted the robust health of the Māori people, who, at the time, exhibited physical strength and longevity (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment et al., 2018).

However, the arrival of Europeans brought significant changes. Colonisation is defined as the process by which a foreign power imposes control over indigenous lands, resources, and people, often leading to cultural assimilation and economic dependency (Barnes & McCreanor, 2019). In the case of New Zealand, colonisation disrupted the Māori way of life through several mechanisms. The introduction of European diseases such as measles, influenza, and tuberculosis decimated Māori populations, as they had no immunity to these illnesses. Furthermore, the introduction of muskets led to intertribal warfare (the Musket Wars), further reducing the Māori population and weakening traditional social structures (Epidemics and Pandemics: Impact on Māori, 2024).

The most significant turning point in Māori history was the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. Despite these promises, the Treaty was soon breached, leading to the rapid alienation of Māori land (Thom, 2022). The New Zealand Wars (1845–1872) resulted in significant land confiscations under the New Zealand Settlements Act 1863, which allowed the government to seize land from Māori tribes deemed to be in rebellion against the Crown. This act directly violated Article Two of the Treaty of Waitangi and had devastating consequences for Māori socio-economic status (Thom, 2022).

Breaches of the Treaty and Current Inequalities

One of the most significant breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi was the large-scale confiscation of Māori land, which profoundly affected Māori economic stability and social cohesion. Before colonisation, Māori controlled vast tracts of land, providing them with food, shelter, and resources (Te Kāhui Ture O Aotearoa, 2020). However, by the late 19th century, Māori had lost over 95% of their land due to unfair land purchases, warfare, and legislation such as the Native Land Court, which converted communal land ownership into individual titles, making it easier for European settlers to acquire land (Reid et al., 2019).

This had greater implications as a piece of land was lost. In fact, not only land a form of capital but it was also an essential part of Māori existance. Descent of the land also lead the maoris into low paid urban occupations and brought about poverty and squatter like living conditions. These economic losses have been transmitted to the subsequent generations and hence giving massive gap between Māori and Non-Māori in areas such as, income, education and health (Thom & Grimes, 2022).

Today, Māori experience disproportionately high rates of poverty, unemployment, and incarceration. Till 2023, statistics New Zealand shows that Māori people dies early than non Māori people, Māori male dies 7.5 years earlier than non-Māori man and Māori female dies 6.8 year earlier than non Māori female (Sheridan et al, 2024). Thirdly, Māori have higher incidences of chronic diseases including diabetics, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory diseases among them. These inequalities, however, are not just a reflection of the choices made about personal and lifestyle over the last thirty or so years but a consequence of colonisation and continuing social, economic, and political disadvantage.

Education is another area where disparities are evident. Māori students have lower rates of educational achievement and higher school dropout rates compared to their non-Māori peers. This is related to colonial erasure of te reo Māori and indigenous identity in education. For much of the 20th century, Māori children were discouraged or even punished for speaking their language in schools, leading to a decline in te reo Māori fluency and contributing to the erosion of Māori cultural identity.

Colonisation as a Continuing Process

While the physical acts of colonisation—such as land confiscation and warfare—occurred in the past, colonisation remains an ongoing process that continues to shape government institutions and policies. Institutional racism is therefore a structural problem, referring to regular and often unrecognised discrimination of one racial group by another  that is unique in its ability to uphold social injustices in health, education, and justice (Reid et al., 2019).

To the extent of the healthcare system, Māori also experience challenges in the access to quality health care. A couple of studies have established that Māori patient uses fewer effective treatment plans than non-Māori patients despite differences in factors like income and geographic location among patients. Institutional biases within the healthcare sector, including cultural misunderstandings and lower rates of Māori representation in the medical workforce, contribute to poorer health outcomes (Sheridan et al., 2024).

The justice system also reflects ongoing colonial disparities. Māori make up approximately 16% of New Zealand’s population but account for over 50% of the prison population (Van Meijl, 2020). The rates of Indigenous people in prisons are not caused by higher levels of criminality but areinstead attributed to racist structuring of society, poverty, and colonial violence. A 2021 report by the Waitangi Tribunal found that Māori are more likely to be arrested, convicted, and given harsher sentences than non-Māori for similar offenses (Van Meijl, 2020).

Intervention programmes in social welfare remain to infringe the rights of Māori. The formation of urbanisation policies in the 1950s made it mandatory for many Māori to migrate to cities looking for employment, however could not adequately provide for many, thus living in urban squalor. Currently, the indigenous people of New Zealand, Māori is among the population groups most affected by homelessness and scarce access to housing (Mooney et al., 2020).

Personal Reflection and Nursing Practice

Reflecting on the historical and contemporary effects of colonisation has profoundly impacted my understanding of the systemic barriers that Māori face within the healthcare system. Before delving into this topic, I primarily viewed health disparities as individual challenges, influenced by lifestyle choices and personal circumstances. Despite that, it was discovered that through learning about the breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi and the lasting impacts of colonisation, I now understand that these disparities are socially and systemically constructed, as well as racially motivated. This awareness has reassessed my perception of the new sense of responsibility as a future nurse, especially towards ensuring culturally safe and equal care for the Maori people.

One key insight I have gained is the importance of cultural competency in nursing practice. Māori patients often experience discrimination in healthcare settings, whether through unconscious bias, lack of cultural understanding, or systemic barriers that prevent them from accessing timely and appropriate care. The NZ literature has established that Māori patients receive sub-optimal pain relief and they are often ignored when they voice their health issues, besides having higher rates of these and other diseases like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. This has made me think on how health care workers either perpetuate these inequalities or seek to eliminate them. I now understand the importance of tikanga Māori (Māori way) in practise or doing business with Maori clients.

Another important realization is the need to advocate for health equity rather than merely treating illness. The principles of the Treaty of Waitangi partnership, participation, and protection—are crucial in shaping a more inclusive healthcare system. As a nurse, I must not only provide individual patient care but also work towards addressing broader systemic issues that affect Māori communities. To achieve equity, there is encouragement of Māori-sanctioned health innovations, promotion of policies that bring down health inequalities affecting the Māori people, and discouragement of policies or institutions that marginalise Māori patients in health facilities. This has prompted me to strive to advocate for equal quality of care between Māori and non- Māori people considering the fact that they have been given a raw deal in the healthcare system.

Assessment Requirements:

The task required students to critically explore the impact of colonisation on Māori communities, with a particular focus on how historical and ongoing systemic inequalities manifest in health, education, social welfare, and justice. Key pointers that needed to be addressed included:

• Historical overview of Māori society before European contact.

• Initial effects of colonisation, including disease, warfare, and land confiscation.

• Breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi and their long-term socioeconomic consequences.

• Contemporary inequalities experienced by Māori, such as disparities in health outcomes, education, employment, and incarceration.

• Ongoing effects of colonisation as a structural and institutional issue.

• Reflection on how these insights inform nursing practice and culturally safe care.

The assessment emphasized not only descriptive content but also critical reflection and the application of knowledge to professional nursing practice.

Approach by Academic Mentor

The academic mentor guided the student through a step-by-step process to ensure a thorough understanding and structured response:

1. Understanding Historical Context:

   • Students were encouraged to begin by exploring pre-colonial Māori social structures, economy, and healthcare practices.

   • Mentor suggested reviewing sources such as Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment reports, and historical accounts like those of Captain Cook.

2. Identifying Key Impacts of Colonisation:

   • Mentor guided the student to examine mechanisms of disruption, including disease introduction, warfare, land confiscation, and legislative changes.

   • Emphasis was placed on linking these historical events to ongoing inequalities in health, economic status, and social wellbeing.

3. Analysis of Treaty Breaches and Modern Disparities:

   • Students were guided to explore the Treaty of Waitangi, the Native Land Court, and subsequent policies that contributed to inequality.

   • Mentor advised using contemporary statistics on Māori health, education, and justice outcomes to provide evidence-based analysis.

4. Reflection and Application to Nursing Practice:

   • Mentor encouraged a personal reflection on how understanding colonisation shapes culturally safe nursing care.

   • Students were asked to consider concepts like tikanga Māori, partnership, participation, and protection in practical nursing scenarios.

5. Integration of Academic References:

   • Students were guided to include credible academic and governmental sources to support arguments and reflections.

   • Mentor emphasized correct referencing to avoid plagiarism and ensure academic integrity.

Final Outcome

• Historical Analysis: Students provided a detailed description of pre- and post-colonial Māori society.

• Critical Reflection: The impact of colonisation on health, education, social welfare, and justice was assessed with contemporary statistics.

• Professional Application: Reflections on nursing practice highlighted cultural competency, advocacy for equity, and understanding systemic inequalities.

• Learning Objectives Covered:

  • LO3: Investigated the long-term social and health impacts of colonisation on Māori.

  • LO4: Assessed systemic inequalities and reflected on strategies for culturally safe nursing practice.

The final submission effectively combined historical evidence, contemporary analysis, and professional reflection, demonstrating both critical thinking and practical application for nursing practice.

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