Postcolonial Maori Identities: Authenticity and Sincerity in Tourism Practices

Abstract

This thesis discusses how Maori identities are being constructed in interactions with tourists, colonial governments in the past and the government of New Zealand now. It offers the concept of sincerity to regard both tourism and other interactions. The research shows that the way Maori culture is presented to tourists is affected by and also affects sincere interactions on other levels with different actors. The concept of sincerity recognizes that Maori culture changes, allowing us to move forward from the debate whether or not Maori culture as presented in tourism is authentic.