1. What is “our story”?

Every country has a story that shapes its identity.
Some nations define themselves by ancient continuity.
Others define themselves by change.

New Zealand’s story — our story — is unique because:

• It is shared by many peoples

• It is in motion, still forming

• It is living, shaped by the choices we continue to make

Our story includes:

• Māori as Tangata Whenua — first peoples with deep ancestral connection

• Newcomers who introduced new systems, technology, and global connections

• Pacific, Asian, and global communities who expand our identity today

• Young generations who see belonging in new and creative ways

Belonging here has never been one identity.
It is many people learning to share one place.

(See article: How Power Flows Through New Zealand)

2. Who are “we”?

“We” includes all who call this country home — every generation, every culture, every community contributing to life in Aotearoa.

2.1 Māori — First Peoples of Aotearoa

• Indigenous navigators of Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa (Pacific Ocean)

• Builders of complex societies grounded in whakapapa

• Guardians of tikanga, te reo, mātauranga

• Identity defined through connection to whenua and whānau

2.2 Newcomers — waves of settlement

• Europeans from the 1800s onward

• Pacific families for opportunity and work

• Asian communities bringing entrepreneurship and innovation

• Migrants and refugees from every continent enriching culture and economy

Each wave changed what it means to be Kiwi — expanding identity, not replacing it.

3. How Māori shaped our foundations

Centuries before European arrival, Māori had developed systems that still influence New Zealand today.

3.1 Society through whakapapa

• Whānau → hapū → iwi structure

• Rangatira leading through mana (earned authority)

• Tikanga ensuring balance and fairness in relationships

• Collective responsibility — people and land cared for each other

3.2 Knowledge and innovation

• Farming, engineering, fishing, and navigation mastery

• Social order maintained through tikanga and consensus

• Deep environmental stewardship and resource management

• Diplomacy, trade, and storytelling across regions

These foundations are still visible in today’s culture, values, and governance.

(See article: Citizen Voices in Democracy)

4. When two systems met

In 1840, Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi was signed — a commitment to partnership.

Two worldviews met:

• Māori expectation - Shared authority & continued rangatiratanga - Protection of land, culture & equality
• Crown expectation - Centralised government & law - British sovereignty over institutions

Outcomes:

• Land loss — through war, purchase, and legal systems

• Suppression of te reo and tikanga

• Social and economic disruption

But also:

• Political engagement (Māori seats 1867)

• New organisational structures adopted and adapted

• Communities defending rights through activism and leadership

The early story was not unified, but interwoven — sometimes tightly, sometimes in conflict.

5. What newcomers introduced

Alongside disruption, newcomers reshaped New Zealand with technologies, systems, and cultural innovations that transformed daily life.

5.1 Systems and institutions

• Parliamentary democracy, rule of law, courts

• Public education, national literacy, libraries

• Hospitals, vaccinations, sanitation, scientific medicine

• Police, fire, postal, welfare services

• National infrastructure — railways, ports, roads

• Modern agriculture — wool, dairy, export economy

These changed what survival and opportunity looked like.

5.2 Cultural contributions

• Christianity and diverse religions

• Printing presses, newspapers, literature

• New music, festivals, theatre, sport

• Volunteering traditions — fire brigades, surf lifesaving, clubs

5.3 Global connection

• International trade and diplomacy

• Migration links across the world

5.4 The trade-off

New systems brought expanded opportunity —
but required Māori to adapt to foreign authority.

Newcomers changed New Zealand dramatically —
and Māori identity remained resilient throughout those changes.

6. Where our shared identity grew

Through hardship and cooperation, New Zealanders found unity in experience.

6.1 Shared sacrifice — World Wars

Māori and Pākehā soldiers stood together overseas.
The 28th Māori Battalion became a symbol of bravery and loyalty.

Shared grief became shared citizenship.