Utu and capitalism: a harmful imbalance

ABSTRACT

In this piece, I offer a contribution to examining the cultures of capitalism through an indigenous lens. I use the framework of whakapapa to explore social relationships prior to colonization, with a focus on gift exchange, in order to illuminate the cultural differences between indigenous and non-indigenous systems of value. Drawing on the work of Sir Raymond Firth and Dame Joan Metge, I analyse the contrast between utu and capitalistic exchange. I argue that this relationship is one of deep and harmful imbalance which has had negative impacts socially and economically. I conclude that indigenous epistemologies can provide necessary analysis and solutions for challenging capitalism within a specific cultural context, such as the Pacific region.

KEYWORDS:

• capitalism
• Indigenous Peoples
• colonialism
• decolonisation
• gift exchange
• Utu
• Whakapapa
• Māori Studies
• Pacific Studies
• Cultural Studies

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. Extended greetings to you all. On my father’s side, I come from England, Scotland and Italy. On my mother’s side, I descend from Ngāti Raukawa. Tararua is the mountain of our people, Hokio the river and Tainui the canoe by which our ancestors arrived to Aotearoa. My hapū is Ngāti Pareraukawa and our marae is called Ngātokowaru.

2. CV is an abbreviation for curriculum vitae, also known as a resume.

3. Work and Income is a New Zealand government welfare agency.

4. RealMe is a New Zealand government-led online identity service, requiring you to create a verified account to engage with government bodies such as welfare services.

5. OG is a slang abbreviation for ‘Original Gangster’.

6. With love and greetings to all who are reading, I end here.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kassie Hartendorp

Kassie Hartendorp (Ngāti Raukawa/Pākehā) is an activist based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington. Her work is driven by the aim of connecting, communicating and challenging the injustices of capitalism and colonization. Most of her adult life has been spent working in the youth sector and within LGBTIQ communities. She has a BA in Gender and Women’s Studies and Media Studies and is currently studying Ahunga Tikanga – Māori Laws and Philosophy at Te Wānanga o Raukawa.