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Chapter 2: Research Context
2.1 Introduction
This chapter provides background for the research, and reviews literature
associated with the research topic. This background provides a basis for
comparing what has emerged from this research to existing knowledge.
Initially, Chapter 2 describes the context and history of Maori development,
before exploring the links between traditional Maori worldviews, concepts and
appreciations of holistic well-being. A commentary of traditional ‘Western’
development theory is then compared and contrasted with contemporary
appreciations of sustainable development. The Sustainable Livelihoods
Approach (SLA) is described, relating the significance of both tangible and
intangible livelihood outcomes to appreciations of well-being. Further
description concerning the relevance of social and cultural capital is then
described and related within the context of contemporary Maori sustainable
development.
2.2 History of Maori development
After leaving Hawaiki, the legendary homeland of the Maori peoples of New
Zealand, the mythical Polynesian navigator Kupe, is said to have marvelled at
‘the land of the long white cloud – Aotearoa’. All verifiable evidence points to
Aotearoa - New Zealand having been first settled in the thirteenth century AD,
during the era of widespread Polynesian ocean voyaging (King, 2003). Maori
history and legends tell of many stories of the journey to Aotearoa, for each
waka (canoe) and each iwi (tribe) has its own history. Initially settling along
the east coast of the North Island, these explorers were to embrace a land as
their own. After their arrival in Aotearoa, Maori did more than survive - they
adapted to their new world almost instantly, and built a complex artistic and
sophisticated society in only a few centuries (McKinnon et al, 1997).
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