How did Maori gain so much power
Maori nationalists have gained significant power in New Zealand for two main reasons.
Firstly they persuaded the government to adopt biculturalism as a defining feature of New Zealand life and then positioned their influential supporters in the public service, academia, religious establishments and other powerful institutions.
And secondly, they have persuaded successive governments to generously settle their never-ending claims for public resources under the guise of historic and modern-day breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi. This policy of appeasement has resulted in billions of dollars and significant power being transferred to elite Maori activists.
When combined with dedicated Maori seats in Parliament, an education system that pushes their propaganda, and little opposition, they have been able to push this country slowly but surely towards an apartheid state.