Abstract

Colonialism did not merely impose governance but deeply disrupted the spiritual and social fabric of colonised societies. Indigenous religious systems, were delegitimised as “pagan” and systematically dismantled, with women bearing the brunt of it. This erasure reinforced patriarchal structures, stripping women of their spiritual authority and economic independence, forcing many into exploitative systems like sex work for survival. This study examines how Māori women in New Zealand were systematically marginalised through colonial policies that weaponised religion to entrench patriarchal norms. The study raises critical questions: Are these women truly engaging in such professions voluntarily, or are they trapped by intergenerational economic deprivation rooted in colonial exploitation? Has colonialism entrenched these professions as an inherited legacy rather than a choice?

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