Ka Hinga te Ture: Tikanga Māori, te reo Māori and the Law

Abstract

This paper considers the connection between tikanga Māori and te reo Māori in the 19th century, through the concept of rāhui. It compares a number of references to the tikanga Māori practice of rāhui in English language newspapers and te reo Māori niupepa during the 19th century. It argues that, during this time period, tikanga Māori could not be fully understood through the English language. While the English language faced some difficulties in containing the spiritual and relational depth of tikanga Māori, the most significant hurdle in communicating about rāhui in English was the authorial choice of English authors. These authors did not see tikanga Māori as law and their priorities proved a large barrier to the accurate portrayal of tikanga Māori into English.