Talkback: Maori key facet of NZ identity

Born in the backdraft of World War II of Lebanese, Pakeha and Ngati Tuwharetoa descendants, I have always been fascinated by the ability of cultures to add richness and vitality to the life experience; invigorating cultures that add to a nation's value rather than becoming a divisive force.

At present, New Zealand is in something of a de-colonisation vacuum. We are dangling a little awkwardly at the crossroads of our identity. As a nation, our Englishness is steadily shrinking away but what will we replace it with? How will we define the new emerging culture? What are the reference points for our particular multicultural identity?

Maori art and culture have an enormous contribution to make to this realisation of identity. The question is how. There appear to be two schools of thought. One is to hang on strenuously to what is valuable - the heritage we all acknowledge. The other is to advance the culture of Maori and the rest of New Zealand to an altogether new dimension.

Maori scholars, business people, designers, film and music-makers are now beginning to emerge with a new sense of freedom and confidence. The opportunity to impact on not just Maori life but the broader, modern life of all New Zealand has never been more promising. With their strong sense of family and community, connection to the land, resilience, ingenuity, easy humour, openness and compassion, Maori provide every New Zealander with the ultimate reference point for sustainable living.

The contribution Maori already make to our New Zealand psyche often goes unnoticed. Even without a drop of Maori blood, a New Zealander standing in Trafalgar or Times Square is decidedly more Maori than he or she thinks. That's the effect Maori has had on New Zealand society.

To maximise Maori potential, leadership is required that dispenses with lecturing in favour of exhibiting the culture in a modern context in the medium of design, art, music, literature, language, education and business. In short, showing how the Maori way is unique. How difficult is it to imagine being in a supermarket in UK looking at food which carries Maori sustainable values, is sourced from a Maori-influenced business, carries a Maori story and isn't called Montana or Anchor ?

Maori can add value to New Zealand's identity in such a significant way. It can influence the way we position our internal and external products, services and hospitality systems. It can heighten our point of difference - a critical factor in a world spoiled for choice.

Many countries have capitalised on their cultural intellectual property in order to advance their distinctiveness and their competitive edge.

If you look at modern interpretations of things Maori, whether it's a play or novel by Witi Ihimaera, a wonderful painting by Shane Cotton or Ralph Hotere, you can see these are at the cutting edge of contemporary life and the world is beginning to notice. If you think of Maori dance, art, literature and cinema, there are so many Maori influences starting to register around the world.

Through progressive cultural attitudes and careful stewardship, Maori will have greater ownership in the national identity. But they have to take up the challenge and advance the culture themselves. Or commercial interests outside New Zealand will use it for their own ends. Recent IP "cultural pirates" are Austrian ski-makers Fischer's use of tiki and Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto's adaptations of moko.

As a brand strategist, I believe Maori culture needs to be moved forward with modern interpretations and showcased in a way the world has not seen before. Given real impetus within Maoridom and a more enlightened view from the rest of New Zealand, this unique facet of our country can help move us to a new and exciting threshold.