Story: European ideas about Māori

Memorial to Peter Buck

Memorial to Peter Buck

This memorial to Peter Buck (Te Rangi Hīroa) is on the slopes of the Ngāti Mutunga Ōkoki, in Taranaki. Buck was a prominent doctor who became increasingly interested in anthropology and eventually was director of the Bishop Museum in Hawaii. He accepted the view that Māori were of Caucasian descent, and possessed that race's ability to navigate across oceans. His major work was called Vikings of the sunrise, and his interest in the navigational skills of his people is reflected in the stylised canoe prow of his memorial.

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Private collection
Photograph by Ron Lambert

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How to cite this page:

James Belich, 'European ideas about Māori - The Aryan Māori and other stereotypes', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/29886/memorial-to-peter-buck (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by James Belich, published 5 May 2011