Table of Contents
JD
Some interesting numbers covering NZ’s most litigious tribe, the South Islanders of Ngāi Tahu. In 1840, the tribe was estimated to have around 2,500 members. However, by 2001 this number had grown to 40,000, meaning that every Ngāi Tahu female across every generation between 1840 and 2001 had given birth to at least four surviving infants, at least 50 per cent of whom were themselves female. This is unlikely, given the prevalence in Māori society of roromi, but not impossible. (Infanticide among Maori was usually sex-selective, with female infants the primary victims.)
Then the Ngāi Tahu population exploded, from 40,000 people in 2001 to 85,000 people in 2023. But modern birth rates have reduced to some 2.5 surviving children per female, meaning the current Ngāi Tahu population should only approximate 50,000 individuals.
So where, in just 22 years, did these extra 35,000 Ngāi Tahu come from? According to ChatGPT, where all these demographic calculations originate, they must have come from changes in census self-reporting and re-identification.
So 35,000 extra part-Māori suddenly discovered they are part of the wealthiest tribe in NZ. How convenient, and probably the main reason Ngāi Tahu continues to push for more and more ‘reparations’ and payoffs – they have so many more mouths to feed.
Alternatively, perhaps the bulk of the incomers are law graduates, looking for something to do?
And as a final aside, I understand my great grandmother once passed a Ngāi Tahu guy in the street, so I’m wondering if that makes me part-Māori enough to jump on the gravy train?
