Indigenous Rights: Hawaiians and Maori in the International Political Context

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the sovereignty struggles of the indigenous Maori and Hawaiian populations within the international context. In the past three decades increasing attention to and awareness of, the particular needs of indigenous peoples has developed on the international political arena. Consequently not only has there been an increased activity of indigenous advocacy groups, but there has also been the imposition of political pressure on governments to reassess their policies towards indigenous peoples. This thesis examines the particular concerns of indigenous peoples and specifically of the Maori of Aotearoa, and the Hawaiians of Hawai'i. It is appropriate to study these two peoples together because not only are the linkages between them recalled in mythology but also in contemporary times their similarities in economic, political and social disadvantage mean that they share many concerns and that the identification of one with the other is strong.