Amidst bicultural tension – we stay on the journey!

Does the politicisation of the Treaty in recent years sadden your heart? It certainly does mine. What is the way forward?

Over recent years I’ve watched many churches and pastors shift from an embracing attitude toward ‘biculturalism’ to a dismay. I am an unapologetic supporter of the bicultural journey of our nation – but most-definitely do not agree with everything I hear said in public media or even church circles on the matter. There is a ‘baby’ and ‘bathwater’ here. My motive and hope is that we can sustain a firm grip on the ‘baby’ – despite the bumps and even division being brought to this space in present times.

Ecclesiastes 7:18 says. “It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.”

To reflect on the above Scripture (a very short ‘devotion’):

Our fear of and love for God motivates us to pursue what is right, good and best. As we seek to do that we realise we must be peace-makers. Peace-making isn’t easy. This pushes us to understand different viewpoints, while also avoiding extremes that can exist in both directions. We then seek to discern not only what might be right and true, but also to what is ‘best’, or of greatest value – to hold onto that. This is the Christian way.

What is of greatest value here?

It is the story – because it esteems Christ. A humble story can relate – no matter a person’s current political persuasion, and the story can bring peace!

It’s a simple matter – if we can grasp it.

Application

We have written various articles for churches on these matters, and we stand by these.

Here is a summary of four encouraging points.

1. We are wise to value, know and tell the bicultural and also gospel story found within our history – on every possible platform – repeatedly!

So much of our history is actually the story of the footprints of Jesus – whether in this land, or amongst our various ancestors prior. There is a story here we can all be united in.

The Treaty / Te Tiriti is only understood through the lens of the gospel.

The gospel alone also brings peace – because it is otherwise within our human nature to seek revenge without end.

Christ sets the heart free – and the experience of this was as true for Māori as for Tongans, Fijians, Samoans, English, Scotts, the Welsh, the Irish, the Germans – and many more. The plunderers became peacemakers. Feuds were ended. Slaves were set free. Women were better treated. Violent practices infanticide, human sacrifice and various punishments ended. New ideas about love began to generate new levels of charity. New levels of social cohesion, shared knowledge and a strange appetite for new learning created increased innovation, productivity, prosperity – and also new and widespread education  …and much more.

(The above list of ‘improvements’ is, to the best of my knowledge, true for ALL the national groups noted just above – not just our Māori. There is a wider history here for many of us to also now uncover, know and tell – because it too is a part of our cultural history).

2. Church leaders are wise to connect by some means as a group with local kaumatua, intentionally seeking to know the story of the land while establishing ongoing connection points

• For one of our articles for pastors’ groups: “Why and how local church leaders could better engage with Māori”, here.

Because kaumātua are few in number, the reality is usually that one person might build relationship on behalf of God’s wider Church. This is done with humble awareness that there will likely be Christians within the Māori community itself who do not currently attend a service in a known church building. Humility on this matter is advised. There are bridges to build here – because there is only one Church. On rare occasion, gatherings might happen to sit and listen to the stories of the land. Where this happens, the occasions are to be treasured / are a treasure!

Re Waitangi Day:  It would be meaningful to then find out what local commemorations happen on Waitangi Day – to be involved annually as church leader (and members) with local Iwi and the wider community. This is about building a bridge – especially by way of showing a willingness to step onto another groups ‘turf’, rather than only expecting that they come to our church buildings or to meetings we have initiated. (Be willing to follow.)

• A article titled, “A reason to celebrate Waitangi Day” can be found here.
• A short 3min video about Waitangi Day from Dave (to optionally show in church) is here – to help give basic profile to the day in a church service.

3. We are wise to seek to understand the distinction and tension between decolonisation and de-Christianisation

This is a key and important area of knowledge. It involves learning a little about both the Christian story and the betrayal story. These stories are disappointingly connected at times.

The point here is that, before we can bring peace, we must understand the issue at hand.

In summary of this interwoven story: Christianity was not the cause of colonisation. Christianity expressly tried to limit and even stop colonisation. This was the mandate from Lord Normanby to Governor Hobson. It’s also of note that missionary voices were at times almost the only voices standing with and for Māori as the promises made in The Treaty / Te Tiriti were progressively betrayed. Tragically however, with time, the voices of Christian Pākehā became too quiet in support of their Christian Māori counterparts. Later on the voices of missionaries also went silent – though with a few factors to it (beyond what can be noted here). Population dynamics were likely the biggest part of this. The Pākehā population had surpassed that of Māori before 1860, and was ten times that of Māori by 1880. A lack of connection between many Pākehā and Māori allowed unbalanced narratives to develop. These were then fed in the Pākehā world at that time by the perspectives and narratives of politicians and their public media. There resulted a terrible inequality. The Treaty was betrayed. Christianity didn’t do it. To note it also, Christians were to be found on Marae as much as in Pākehā settlements – and statistically maybe even more-so, because MOST Māori were Christian by faith at that time. However, Pākehā Christians did then fail to stand for their Māori brethren in the face of a terrible injustice! The generic Pākehā betrayal is often therefore felt as a Christian betrayal – despite the ironic presence of a strong Christian faith on many Marae, as also prayers even to this day in the name of Ihu Karaiti.

Current attempts to decolonise do not therefore mean we should de-Christianise. But the history is complex. Understanding is a beginning point.

• Read an article purposed to concisely give understanding to the divide (titled, “Toward a reconciling of the Māori and Pākehā Church”) can be found here.
• Read an article titled, “How to ensure decolonisation doesn’t become de-Christianisation”, here.

4. It is good that we seek to value things-Māori within our churches in simple ways – and even in increasing measure over time

We are wise to start slow.

Application could include greetings, songs that include Te Reo, the regular telling of important stories from our history (noting people learn through REPETITION), the applauding of the use of Te Reo or of someone giving their pepeha when standing to speak – and an annual honouring of our cultural oneness / kotahitanga and also partnership formed at Waitangi, as remembered each Waitangi day.

• We have an article with a range of ideas for local churches (titled “How to overcome cultural mistrust” – though it’s practical rather than topical in its content) is here.

There is a story to know and tell.

We are wise to be highly vocal in storytelling – while maybe even silent on other matters.

Storytelling is our primary role – as it points to Christ.

Prayer is also needed.

And let’s preach the gospel itself – because the grace of Christ alone is the solution.

DAVE MANN. Dave is a networker and creative communicator with a vision to see an understanding of the Christian faith continuing and also being valued in the public square in Aotearoa-New Zealand. He has innovated numerous conversational resources for churches, and has coordinated various national nationwide multimedia Easter efforts purposed to open up conversations between church and non-church people about the Christian faith and its significance to our nation’s history and values. Dave is the Producer of the ‘Chronicles of Paki’ illustrated NZ history series created for educational purposes, and the author of various other books and booklets including “Because we care”, “That Leaders might last” and “The Elephant in the Room”. Married to Heather, they have four boys and reside in Tauranga, New Zealand.