Why have the Maori people lost their connection to the sea?

In the Part II, the author develops the conflict between man and nature. While in the previous section it seemed like nature was awaiting man, and that man was to fulfill nature now it seems that over time the dynamic has shifted. The author points out subtly that nature has become afraid of man. In fact he opens and closes this section with this conflict as a way of emphasizing its importance. So in the very beginning of the section, the whales are patrolling and moving in formation not to be protected from sea predators but instead for protection against man. The section ends with Koro recounting his tale of the whaling expedition, and the butchery of the majestic whales. The tale expresses both huge awe for the whales and then huge regret for having killed them. It also tells the story of how things got to such a low point, and forces the reader to sympathize with the otherwise harsh character of Koro and to support his struggle to preserve man’s bond with nature. In essence, the Maori's newfound desire for money severed their connection to the sea.