An identity as Pākehā

In recent decades, along with an increasing recognition of the unique place of Te iwi Māori in New Zealand society has come a search for a sense of belonging as a European New Zealander. This has opened the discourse for re-examination of the term Pākehā, and what that means in relation to Māori and to a national identity. The findings of several recent studies indicate that in the current socio-cultural context what it means to claim an identity as Pākehā is being redefined by individuals who engage extensively with Te Ao Māori. Based on the results of a study carried out by the author in 2013, this article examines the theoretical underpinnings of cultural identity transformation in relation to the experiences of individuals who have engaged extensively with Te Ao Māori, and discusses the implications of their definition of what it means to be Pākehā