Maoritanga Eroded

The life chances of the Maori to attain the cultural goals of New Zealand society are consistent with their minority group status. The Maori is conscious of his identity as a Maori. His consciousness if identity is expressed through the concept of Maoritanga. Although much of the traditional culture of the Maori has been eroded by the assimilative pressures from the dominant Pakeha he has succeeded in maintaining a subculture and life-style that is distinctly Maori. But just as the Maori has had to pay the price of poor health and high mortality for the breakdown of much of his traditional culture, he also pays a price for the maintenance of his identity.