Is The New Zealand Herald Guilty Of Marginalising Indigenous Māori?

In light of #IndigenousPeoplesDay—a day to reflect on the global marginalisation of Indigenous peoples and to honour their resilience—I wanted to explore whether our media, specifically the New Zealand Herald, has contributed to the marginalisation of Indigenous Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand or not.

The recent controversy over the New Zealand Herald running a front-page ad for the Don Brash-led lobby group Hobson's Pledge made me question whether the Herald perpetuates or challenges systemic racism. So, my question is this: Is the Herald guilty of systematically marginalising Indigenous Māori? Here’s what I uncovered and how I interpret the Herald’s actions based on the definition of the United Nations definition of ‘Indigenous Marginalisation.’

What is Indigenous Marginalisation?

Indigenous marginalisation refers to the systemic exclusion and discrimination that Indigenous peoples experience within societies. It often includes limited access to resources, political disenfranchisement, cultural erasure, and social inequalities.?

“the systemic processes that deny Indigenous peoples their rights, hinder their economic development, and undermine their cultural identities and sovereignty”’

The United Nations defines it as “the systemic processes that deny Indigenous peoples their rights, hinder their economic development, and undermine their cultural identities and sovereignty”’ (United Nations, 2009).

Assessing the New Zealand Herald Against This Definition:

Its Origin Story

The New Zealand Herald was established in 1863 during a period of significant colonial expansion in New Zealand. The paper was founded to support the interests of British settlers, and its early reporting often aligned with the colonial government's goals, depicting Māori resistance to land confiscations as rebellious and unjustified.

My Assessment:?This aligns with the definition of Indigenous marginalisation, as the Herald's reporting contributed to the political disenfranchisement of Māori and the justification of land seizures, which hindered Māori economic development and sovereignty.

Its Founding Figures

William Chisholm Wilson and John Williamson, key leaders behind the Herald, were influential figures in Auckland’s colonial administration. Their editorial stance generally backed the colonial government's policies, including land confiscation and military actions against Māori (Keane, 2014; Reed, 2011).

My Assessment: The Herald's founders' support of land confiscation and military actions against Māori further exemplifies the newspaper's role in promoting policies that marginalised Māori, stripping them of their land and political power.

Reflecting on Its Past Actions

Several historical examples demonstrate how the New Zealand Herald has contributed to the systemic marginalisation of Māori:

• Māori Land Confiscations (1860s-1870s): The Herald’s coverage often justified the confiscation of Māori land, framing it as necessary for the colony's growth (Walker, 2004). My Assessment: This coverage reinforced the systemic exclusion of Māori from their lands and resources, directly contributing to their economic and cultural marginalisation.
• Parihaka Incident (1881): The newspaper supported the violent suppression of peaceful Māori protestors at Parihaka, a stance now seen as a major ethical failure (Keane, 2014). My Assessment: By supporting the suppression of Māori at Parihaka, the Herald played a role in silencing Indigenous voices and justifying state violence, further entrenching the social and political marginalisation of Māori.
• Kingitanga Movement & Māori Representation: The Herald consistently opposed movements advocating for Māori sovereignty and political representation, framing them as threats to colonial stability (Ballara, 1986; Sorrenson, 1986). My Assessment: Opposing Māori political representation aligns with the UN's definition of Indigenous marginalisation, as it hindered Māori efforts to regain political power and maintain their cultural identity.

Examining Recent Controversies

In recent years, the Herald's coverage of Māori issues has continued to spark debate:

• Paul Holmes’ Waitangi Day Column (2012): Holmes' column, which criticised Waitangi Day, led to widespread backlash and highlighted ongoing issues with the Herald’s approach to race-related reporting (Radio New Zealand, 2020). My Assessment: Holmes' column exemplifies the continued marginalisation of Māori by dismissing the importance of Waitangi Day, a day central to Māori identity and their relationship with the state. This reflects the ongoing cultural marginalisation of Māori.
• Waitangi Day Coverage (2014): The newspaper faced criticism for using imagery seen as dismissive of Māori protests, further illustrating its troubled history with race-related content (Radio New Zealand, 2020). My Assessment: The use of dismissive imagery perpetuates negative stereotypes about Māori, reinforcing their social marginalisation and undermining their legitimate grievances.
• Foreshore and Seabed Advertisement (2020): The publication of an ad that many viewed as racially charged led to public outcry, emphasising the need for more balanced and inclusive coverage of Māori issues (FactCheck Kiwi, n.d.). My Assessment: By providing a platform for racially charged content, the Herald once again contributed to the marginalisation of Māori, this time in the context of media representation and public discourse.

• Teuila Fuatai’s Experience (2020): Journalist Teuila Fuatai's reflections on the challenges she faced in writing about racism for the Herald highlight systemic issues within the publication’s editorial practices (Fuatai, 2020). My Assessment: Fuatai’s experience suggests that systemic issues within the Herald’s editorial practices continue to marginalise Māori voices and perspectives, limiting their representation and perpetuating their exclusion.

Lessons for Today

The history of the New Zealand Herald offers a compelling case study in the media’s profound influence on public opinion and societal norms. It underscores the importance of responsible journalism and the critical role that media plays in either perpetuating or dismantling systemic issues like racism. For business leaders in Aotearoa New Zealand, this history serves as a wake-up call: media narratives don't just inform; they shape consumer behaviour, influence corporate reputations, and can drive or stall social progress.

Business leaders today have both the power and the responsibility to shape the media landscape for the better. By being discerning about the media they engage with and support, leaders can influence the broader narrative toward one of equity, inclusion, and justice. It's about moving beyond passive consumption to active participation in creating and promoting responsible, balanced media.

Call to Action

To meaningfully change the marginalisation of Indigenous communities, business leaders, media organisations, and journalists must take deliberate, concrete steps toward more equitable and inclusive reporting. This means not only advocating for diversity in media but also holding outlets accountable for their content and its impacts on society.

Here are practical actions you can take:

1. Audit Media Partnerships: Regularly assess whether the media organisations your business supports align with your values of equity and inclusion.
2. Support Ethical Journalism: Invest in and promote media that prioritises fair representation of all communities, particularly in Aotearoa New Zealand, Indigenous Māori.
3. Educate and Train: Provide ongoing education and training within your organisation on the impacts of media narratives, especially regarding Indigenous issues.
4. Amplify Indigenous Voices: Use your business platforms to amplify Indigenous voices, ensuring they are central to discussions on business, culture, and society.
5. Advocate for Policy Change: Support policies that encourage media diversity and hold outlets accountable for biased or harmful reporting or advertising.

What More Can You Do?

Are you feeling strongly about any actions by any media outlet recently? If so, here’s what you can do:

• Cancel Your Subscription: Stop supporting media outlets that spread misinformation or perpetuate harmful narratives.
• Unfollow on Social Media: Remove their influence from your feeds by unfollowing media that doesn't align with your values.
• Divest Shares: If you own shares in companies that propagate misinformation, consider selling them as a statement of your values.
• File a Complaint (Advertising): Report misleading advertising to the Advertising Standards Authority. You can file an Advertising complaint here: https://www.asa.co.nz/complaints/make-a-complaint/.?
• File a Complaint (Journalism): Report biased or offensive journalism through the New Zealand Media Council. NZMC handle complaints about the editorial content of newspapers, magazines, and their websites, as well as radio, television, and online news media. You can file a complaint: https://www.mediacouncil.org.nz/complaints/

By taking these steps, business leaders in Aotearoa New Zealand, can actively contribute to a media environment that not only informs but also promotes fairness, inclusion, and social justice.

Kia kaha. Kia māia. Kia manawanui!

References

• Ballara, A. (1986). Iwi: The Dynamics of Māori Tribal Organisation from c.1769 to c.1945. Victoria University Press.
• FactCheck Kiwi. (n.d.). New Zealand Herald Retractions. FactCheck Kiwi. Retrieved from https://factcheck.kiwi.nz/new-zealand-herald-retractions/
• Fuatai, T. (2020, July 5). Why I found it so hard writing about racism in New Zealand for the Herald. NZ Herald. Retrieved from https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/teuila-fuatai-why-i-found-it-so-hard-to-write-about-racism-in-new-zealand-for-the-herald/W7T36ZRDBHZR5JDIPIQ5S3K3DA/
• Keane, B. (2014). Parihaka – Māori and Pākehā: War and Peace. Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved from https://teara.govt.nz/en/parihaka-maori-and-pakeha-war-and-peace
• King, M. (2003). The Penguin History of New Zealand. Penguin Books.
• Radio New Zealand. (2020, July 5). Forcing the issue of race at the Herald. RNZ. Retrieved from https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018753447/forcing-the-issue-of-race-at-the-herald
• Reed, A. W. (2011). The Story of the New Zealand Herald. Auckland University Press.
• Sorrenson, M. P. K. (1986). Māori Origins and Migrations: The Genesis of Some Pākehā Myths and Legends. Auckland University Press.
• United Nations. (2009). State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/SOWIP/en/SOWIP_web.pdf
• Walker, R. (2004). Ka Whawhai Tonu Matou: Struggle Without End (Rev. ed.). Penguin Books.?