Before the arrival of Europeans in New Zealand, Maori lived in groups, hapu, iwi and whanau under strict tribal traditions, rules and strictures in a very hierarchical culture. No Maori had the right to make personal decisions on how his life was run; this depended on the combined will of the tribe as directed by the elders. Breaches of the tribal rules were dealt with by the rangatira (leaders) and Kaumatua (respected elders), often with severe or even fatal consequences.

If an individual was responsible for some transgression, such as harming a child, he could have a ‘muru' applied by the whanau (family), which meant his whare (home) could be entered and all his possessions taken. Some of the actions may be considered as bringing shame on the tribe, causing loss of mana (pride) could result in hurt or execution by a club blow to the head.

When the urbanisation of Maori, their move from the pa and kainga tipu (ancestral home) to the city began in the 1930s, and became accelerated after the war, many were unable to adjust to individual decision-making; and they lacked the training, or experience, to accept personal responsibilities. No longer was there an authority to direct and guide them. This has led in areas to generational dependency.

Bryan Johnson, Omokoroa.