The renaissance of Moriori Culture and Society

. The enduring Moriori

Despite the events of the previous century, Moriori resumed positions of prominence on Rēkohu (Chatham Island) in the 20th century. Tame Horomona Rehe (Tommy Solomon) was a successful businessman and farmer in the 1920s and early 1930s. Other descendants of Moriori, notably the Davis and Preece families, were influential in local government and community affairs from the 1940s. More recently descendants have been involved in claims to the Waitangi Tribunal and in Moriori organisations.

The figure to the left is the ancestor: Rongomaiwhenua. It is this ancestor, or his younger brother; Rongomaitere, that all Moriori today can claim kinship with.

New beginnings                                         renaissance New Life for Moriori

Moriori are engaged in a vigorous cultural revival which began with a New Zealand television documentary in 1980. In dispelling some long-held myths, it raised the consciousness of many Moriori descendants.

 

Among the fallacies laid to rest were;

·         that the Moriori were a separate race, distinct from Polynesians,

·         and that they had died out completely.

 It triggered a wave of activity that began in 1986 with the raising of a statue on Rēkohu of Tommy Solomon, the man once said to be the last Moriori.

Political revival

Albatross feathers, once worn proudly in the hair and beard by Moriori as a symbol of peace, re-emerged as a political statement during the 1991 bicentennial celebrations of the Chatham's arrival. They were worn by Moriori and their supporters, and presented to visiting dignitaries.

In 1994 hearings began for the Moriori claim to the Waitangi Tribunal. Moriori sought recognition of their continued identity as the rangata hunu (people of the land) of the Chatham Islands, along with compensation for cultural and material losses. The report, released in 2001, was a vindication of their stance.

After intense legal and political battles from 1988, Moriori finally won recognition to claim a share of their resources in the rich fishing grounds around Rekohu and Rangiaotea (Pitt Island). This was essential to re-establishing a viable economic base for Moriori. However, in 2004 the size of that share was still undecided.

Cultural renaissance

In 1997 construction began on the first Moriori marae to be built on Rekohu in over 160 years. Seen from the air, its design resembles the wings of the great white hopo (albatross). This bird has great symbolic resonance for Moriori. The name of the marae, Te Kopinga, refers to the sheltered groves of kopi (karaka trees) where ancient Moriori held their meetings.

Moriori unity

By the end of 1991, Moriori political organisation had split into two groups. After years of difficulties, but also many legal and political accomplishments, the two groups finally achieved unity in 2001, forming the Hokotehi Moriori Trust. The trust aims to seek redress for past injustices, and to revive the language, customs, and traditions of the Moriori ancestors. It also aims to build a sustainable economic future for the Chathams, and to broadcast a message of tolerance and peace to the world.

Language:

The Moriori language is Polynesian, closely related to early southern Māori dialect. In 2001 the tribe took the first steps towards reviving their language by compiling a database of ancient Moriori words. A newly coined Moriori greeting is used in all written communications – me rongo, meaning ‘with peace'.

After applications by Moriori in 2002, Taia, a property on the east coast of Rēkohu with extensive wetlands and cultural significance for the people, was purchased by the Crown as a reserve. It is now being jointly managed by Moriori and the Crown. Moriori are also working with the government to protect the remaining Moriori  momori-rākau, or  hokoairo (tree carvings).

Facts and figures

Iwi (tribal) identification

In the 1991 and 2001 New Zealand censuses, residents of Māori or Moriori descent were asked to indicate the tribe to which they were affiliated. The figures below show the number who indicated Moriori, including those who indicated more than one tribe.

 

 

 

Census:

The only previous census asking Māori or Moriori to indicate tribal affiliation – but not of multiple tribes – was that of 1901.

Also shown are the numbers of the tribe living in the major regions at the 2001 census.

Major regional locations

 

I bet that you didn't know that…..

New Zealanders call themselves Kiwis, but Chatham Islanders (Moriori, Maori and Pakeha) call themselves Wekas

The population of Moriori before European contact was about 2000+

The Chatham Islands is the first place in the world to see the sun rise?

The total population of the Chatham Islands is about 700 people?

There are three schools on the Chathams, one at Kaingaroa, one at Pitt Island and one at Te One

By the time that the New Zealand Maori invaded Rekohu, there had already been over 300 Moriori deaths from European diseases.

There is no high school on the Chatham Islands, so secondary school students go away to boarding school or do correspondence schooling?

People on the Chathams eat Weka?

In 1883 there were 32 full blooded Moriori still alive, but just 17 years later there was only 12?

Pitt Island has a population of about 40 people?

There are no shops, cafes, hotels, motels or takeaways on Pitt Island?

There were at least 1737 adult Moriori alive when  Ngati Tama and Ngati Mutunga arrived on Rekohu.

 At least 300 Moriori were killed during the first few months of the invasion. Twenty years later there was only 205.

A bird which was once the rarest bird in the world lives on South East Island?

But I bet you don't know what type of bird it is?     (Black Robin)

Like Moriori, whom they have shared these islands with for hundreds of years, the Black Robin are also enjoying  a renaissance and now number in the hundreds.

There is also an enclosure on Pitt Island that has  two Black Robins living in it.

The unit Resources

Take me to the unit resources ...!

Or.....

Try the MSWord version of the unit resources.

 

Moriori: A People Rediscovered Unit Plan for students.

 

Navigate To:

Curriculum Areas