Study Links Māori Food Insecurity to Colonial Legacy

A new study from the University of Auckland reveals that food insecurity among Māori communities is deeply rooted in the ongoing effects of colonisation rather than individual choices or lifestyle factors. Led by postdoctoral health researcher Dr Madeline Shelling (Ngāti Porou), the research highlights how historical injustices have disrupted Māori food systems over generations.

The study draws on in-depth interviews with Māori food experts to illustrate the broader socio-economic challenges faced by these communities. It documents the detrimental effects of land loss, environmental degradation, and the marginalisation of traditional Māori knowledge, known as mātauranga Māori. These factors collectively dismantle sustainable food practices and contribute to widespread food insecurity.

Dr Shelling’s interest in this topic was sparked during a family visit to her whānau in Te Araroa. Despite the community’s pride in sourcing food from their land, they are classified as food insecure. She noted, “It came out quite clearly in my PhD that the way we assess food security in Aotearoa is not representing Māori values, traditions, or knowledge.” Traditional assessments often rely on monetary measures, neglecting the cultural and historical aspects of Māori food access.

In Aotearoa, a country with significant wealth, the consequences of food insecurity manifest in alarming rates of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related diseases. Dr Shelling pointed out that the stigma surrounding these health issues often unfairly blames individual choices. “Having great access to bad food is a problem that is faced by indigenous people in settler colonial countries all over the world,” she remarked.

The study identifies four critical impacts of colonisation: loss of land, erosion of rangatiratanga (autonomy), marginalisation of Māori knowledge, and adverse health effects. Dr Shelling succinctly stated, “It’s hard to get healthy kai when you don’t have healthy whenua that you can access.” This emphasizes the intrinsic link between land health and food quality.

To effectively address food insecurity, the researcher calls for a systemic approach that includes policy changes from government levels, alongside grassroots initiatives within whānau. She clarified, “For a lot of whānau, choosing where to buy food is not an option.” This statement underscores the urgent need for societal awareness and policy reform to enhance food accessibility for Māori communities.

Dr Shelling advocates for recognition of colonial impacts on food systems. “If we truly understood how colonisation impacted our food systems, we would not call it playing the victim,” she explained. Understanding these historical contexts is essential for moving forward, both for Māori communities and for the wider society.

The findings of this study highlight the necessity for collaborative efforts to address food insecurity, recognizing the roles of both tangata tiriti (settlers) and tangata whenua (indigenous people). As Dr Shelling emphasizes, this is not merely a Māori issue but a societal one that requires collective responsibility and action.

For those interested in following developments in this area, signing up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by the University of Auckland editors, offers insights directly to readers’ inboxes.