rare maori recognition

COMMENT Selection of a Maori Cook Islander to carve a taonga for Maori New Zealanders enters the history books as one of the few moments of cooperation between the divided people. Official parties visiting Maori leaders are far and few between. Many leaders from Avaiki Cook Islands head straight to Wellington and do not bother seeing anyone other than western style politicians. It might be said that Maori have no interest in meeting each other. After all, nothing has stopped leaders from either side reaching out. However, both 'sides' regard the other as inferior or of little consequence, if they think about other Maori at all. Each time Maori do manage to get together, episodes of powerful spirituality, emotions and magic are reported by participants. It may or may not significant that authorities in New Zealand have done little to build relations among Maori.