HLM – Chapter 1024 Sisters United

Speaking of it, the relationship between the Māori and European settlers was really quite complicated.

Undoubtedly, the Māori were the indigenous people of New Zealand—they were the first to inhabit this land. But to be honest, before the arrival of the British, their society, though not entirely primitive, was still rather rudimentary in structure.

After the British arrived, they were thrust almost overnight into a capitalist society. However, entry into this society came at a cost—the “ticket” was the lives and land of their own people.

Fortunately, the Europeans who came to New Zealand were far more considerate than those on the American continent; they didn’t wipe the Māori out completely. Even today, to acknowledge the historical aggression against Māori clans, the government provides them with extensive welfare support.

Social welfare in New Zealand is excellent, especially for the Māori.

However, the Māori often lacked ambition. In terms of education, health, and life expectancy, they lagged behind both European-descended New Zealanders and recent immigrants.

The helicopter landed in the botanical garden. From the air, Wang Bo could see that the garden wasn’t as bad as Hani had described. It was clean and well-organized, with orderly layouts in many sections.

Not many people were attending the wedding—around a hundred or so. For the Māori, who typically consider family as a unit, this counted as a rather small wedding.

Among the attendees, there were also many children—at least twenty. They ran and played across the lawn, along with puppies and kittens frolicking around, adding a touch of romance to the scene.

“So many children, such adorable little ones,” Eva said with a warm smile as she watched them play.

Motak shrugged and said with a self-deprecating laugh, “Ha, the Māori just have a lot of kids. More kids, more money, after all.”

Because of the Māori custom of trial marriages, many Māori would have children without formally marrying, and often the parents never did marry in the end.

This created many single mothers, who faced difficulties in daily life. As a result, government welfare policies heavily favored children in such circumstances.

Unlike the Chinese government’s approach toward the Han majority, in New Zealand, the more Māori children you had, the more rewards you received.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that in many Māori households, a woman’s primary role was to give birth. More children meant more financial benefits, and some families relied entirely on welfare for survival.

To save money, Māori families often consumed high-calorie junk food, like hamburgers and sandwiches. Combined with a general dislike of exercise, this was the main reason so many Māori became overweight.

The wedding took place in a natural hollow in the botanical garden, surrounded by broadleaf forest that shielded the area from the mountain wind. With plenty of sunshine that day, it didn’t feel cold outdoors.

Several pavilions were present. One was screened off, where the bride was located, and in another sat two very overweight middle-aged adults.

Big Motak introduced them: these were the groom’s parents.

Upon seeing Wang Bo, the two elders stood and waved—a special gesture. Ordinary guests would just wave while seated.

It wasn’t that they were impolite; both weighed three to four hundred pounds, and repeatedly standing and sitting was genuinely difficult for them.

Not just Motak’s parents—the attending Māori were mostly very overweight. Among adults, 200 pounds was considered light, 250 pounds normal, and many exceeded 300, even 400 or 500 pounds…

Obesity had long been a major factor affecting Māori life expectancy.

New Zealand had an excellent welfare system, including a universal pension. Under this system, anyone—regardless of social insurance contributions—could receive a pension at age 65.

Whether a prime minister, a CEO, or a homeless person, all could receive a pension.

Yet many Māori did not live to see that age.

In Wang Bo’s first year in New Zealand, some Māori MPs even considered a policy to allow Māori to collect pensions earlier, since many wouldn’t live long enough to claim them.

Since not many people present knew them, Wang Bo and Eva amused themselves by playing with the children.

Māori children were mischievous and strong-willed. Spotting Eva’s ruby jewelry, one child immediately tried to grab it.

Eva smiled and said, “This one can’t be given to you.”

The child then called over a few friends and surrounded Eva, threatening, “If you don’t take off your necklace and earrings, we’ll lift your skirt.”

Eva had many ways to handle difficult children; after all, she usually dealt with kids with mental health or psychological issues.

But today, she met her match. These kids were stubborn, insisting on taking her jewelry.

Seeing this, Eva’s smile faded. She removed her necklace and earrings and said, “Okay, let’s play a game. I’ll hide my jewelry, and I’ll give one of you a clue. Whoever finds it keeps it.”

“Okay!” The kids’ eyes lit up with excitement.

Eva went into a screened-off tent, then casually came out and whispered two words into the ear of the first troublesome child.

Immediately, over ten children ran over, asking, “What did she say?” “Where is it hidden?” “I want that earring—for Hununana.”

The first child looked puzzled: “She didn’t say anything. Nothing at all.”

Eva smiled gently. “Little ones, that’s not right. Treasure-hunting clues need to be shared with friends. One person alone may not find it.”

Other kids shouted, “Yes, tell us quickly!”

The first child angrily yelled, “She’s lying! She didn’t say anything!”

A little girl among the Māori children jumped out. “You idiot, you just want to find the jewelry for yourself! He doesn’t want to share, hit him!”

Māori kids were strong and action-oriented. Immediately, a scuffle broke out.

Not all the children were easily fooled; some looked suspiciously at Eva and then ran to check the pavilion.

The pavilion was screened off because food and drinks were being prepared inside. With Māori temperament, and the presence of food and the newlyweds, no one was paying attention to the bride and groom, so the food needed to be kept separate.

Upon seeing the roasted chickens, ducks, and chunks of stewed meat, the kids forgot their suspicion of Eva and excitedly yelled, “Wow, so much delicious food!”

The fighting children stopped and rushed over like a gust of wind, grabbing the food.

Parents could not stand it and ran over to drag their children back, scolding them loudly.

One strong boy ran up to Eva: “You liar! You tricked them!”

Eva was about to reply, but Dale jumped ahead: “What did you say?”

“This is a liar! She tricked us, played with us!”

“Watch closely—that’s how you get played!” Dale clenched her fists and charged, punching the boy to the ground. He screamed in pain.

Wang Bo laughed: “Not bad. Sisters united, their strength is unbeatable!”