Being Pakeha

Being Pakeha chronicles historian Michael King's personal journey as a non-Māori New Zealander exploring his cultural identity. The memoir traces his experiences from childhood through his career studying and writing about both Māori and Pakeha (European-descended) New Zealand society. King recounts his gradual understanding of Māori culture and protocols while working as a journalist and researcher in the 1970s and 80s. His relationships with Māori elders and scholars shape his perspective on New Zealand's bicultural heritage. The book examines what it means to be a non-indigenous New Zealander with a genuine connection to the country and respect for its indigenous people. Through King's narrative, readers gain insight into the complexities of cultural identity in a post-colonial society. King raises essential questions about belonging, legitimacy, and the evolution of Pakeha identity in New Zealand. The work stands as both a personal memoir and a broader examination of how non-indigenous people can find their place while acknowledging and respecting indigenous rights and traditions.

Readers value King's personal perspective on Pakeha (non-Māori New Zealander) identity and his openness about grappling with cultural belonging. Several note how the book helped them understand their own relationship to New Zealand identity. Readers appreciated: - King's accessible writing style - His respectful treatment of Māori culture - The blend of memoir with social history - His honesty about privilege and cultural appropriation Common criticisms: - Some sections feel dated (especially in discussions of biculturalism) - A few readers found parts self-justifying - Limited perspective as one individual's experience Available ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (32 ratings) No ratings found on Amazon Reader quote: "King articulates many of the complex feelings I've had about being Pakeha but struggled to express." - Goodreads reviewer The lack of broad online reviews suggests this book has a specialized readership focused on New Zealand identity and history.

An Angel at My Table by Janet Frame A New Zealand memoir that examines cultural identity and the writing life through personal experiences in mid-twentieth century New Zealand.

The Native Land Act by Ranginui Walker Chronicles the relationship between Maori and European settlers in New Zealand through land ownership and cultural conflicts.

Come on Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All by Christina Thompson Merges personal memoir with historical investigation of Maori-European cultural encounters in New Zealand.

The Trial of the Cannibal Dog by Anne Salmond Documents the cultural collisions between Pacific peoples and European explorers through Captain Cook's voyages in the South Pacific.

Making Peoples by James Belich Traces New Zealand's history from first settlement to 1900 through the interactions between Maori and European settlers.

🔷 Michael King's "Being Pakeha" was one of the first major works to explore what it means to be a non-Māori New Zealander, helping to establish 'Pakeha' as a legitimate cultural identity rather than just a term meaning 'non-Māori.' 🔷 The author worked extensively with Māori communities before writing this book, including living in Māori communities and learning te reo Māori, which gave him unique insights into cross-cultural relationships in New Zealand. 🔷 King later updated and republished the book as "Being Pakeha Now" in 1999, reflecting how his views and New Zealand society had evolved over the intervening years. 🔷 Despite facing criticism from some quarters for being a Pakeha writing about Māori culture in his earlier works, King became one of New Zealand's most respected historians and won the Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement. 🔷 The book emerged during a period of significant cultural change in New Zealand, coinciding with the Māori cultural renaissance of the 1970s and 80s, and helped shape the national conversation about identity and biculturalism.