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Saturday, May 8, 2021

Breaking Views Update: Week of 2.05.21







Saturday May 8, 2021 

News:
Hundreds of Māori leaders gather to discuss iwi kaupapa, new health authority

Hundreds of Māori leaders have gathered in Porirua to discuss the big kaupapa for iwi and hapū, including how they will inform the design of the new Māori Health Authority.

A collective of 71 iwi entities, the National Iwi Chairs Forum (NICF) kicked off its two-day hui - hosted by Ngāti Toa - with a pōwhiri at Takapūwāhia marae.

Over the next couple of days, they'll cover kaupapa (topics) falling under five pou (pillars) - Pou Taiao (environment), Pou Tikanga (constitution and Tiriti o Waitangi), Pou Take Ahurangi (climate), Pou Tangata (people) and Pou Tahua (economics).

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Toa chair and host Dr Taku Parai said it was important they "kept a tight rope" on the government, and held them accountable……
See full article HERE

New lights and arts festival for Kāpiti held over Matariki
Celebrating Matariki the right way was all the motivation the Māoriland Charitable Trust needed to create a large scale lights and arts event for the whole district.

Māoriland Charitable Trust, the organisation responsible for Ōtaki's Māoriland Film Festival, is presenting Matariki, Lighting the Beacons Festival, a month-long multi-disciplinary arts festival to be held across Kāpiti from July 2-25......
See full article HERE

Provincial Growth Fund marae upgrade announcement massively fails to deliver on jobs
Almost $100 million was earmarked to upgrade marae across the country. It was meant to create more than 3000 jobs, but with half the money already spent, it's managed just 5 percent of that: 158 full-time jobs……
See full article HERE

Dr Hinemoa Elder appointed Chair of Māori Expert Reference Panel for suicide prevention
The Suicide Prevention Office has welcomed Dr Hinemoa Elder as the new Chair of its Māori Expert Reference Panel.

The Māori Expert Reference Panel provides the Suicide Prevention Office with strategic advice, support and guidance on matters relating to Māori suicide prevention and implementation of New Zealand’s suicide prevention strategy, He Tapu te Oranga o ia tangata......
See full article HERE

Māori Maps Relaunches Website With Totally New Zealand Solution
Bringing the data and mapping of ancestral marae back to Aotearoa is now a reality for Māori Maps (www.maorimaps.com).

After a six-month project with Orbica, the Ōtautahi/Christchurch-based digital geography specialist, www.maorimaps.com now has data hosted in New Zealand. This marks an important step to protecting marae data sovereignty……
See full article HERE

Sir Mason Durie the first Māori Health Authority appointment
Māori health pioneer Sir Mason Durie​ is the Government's first appointment for the incoming Māori Health Authority.

Durie will spearhead the steering group, which would consult with Māori about possible candidates for the authority’s board and advise ministers on the potential appointments. The group would also advise on how the authority should be governed and be held accountable......
See full article HERE

Kāpiti Coast District Council Confirms Earlier Decision On Māori Ward
Guided by the recommendation of its iwi partners, Councillors today confirmed their October 2020 resolution not to establish a Māori ward for electoral purposes ahead of the 2022 local body elections.

“Our iwi partners confirmed that while Māori ward representation on Council is important to them, their current priority is to strengthen their existing partnership with Council……
See full article HERE

ACC asking Maori to design targeted services
The Accident Compensation Commission is seeking tenders from kaupapa Māori providers who can help develop new services to give injured Māori greater access, improved experiences of ACC care and better health outcomes…..
See full article HERE

'Dead duck': Māori say don't delay on NZ Wars pā project
The pā that saw the first shots of the Taranaki Wars deserves higher public priority, Māori have told New Plymouth District Council.

Te Kōhia Pā was bought by the council in 2016 with plans for an education and heritage centre on the site where an attack by British troops kicked off the wars in 1860.

The next step was to expand the group and start firming up concepts for the development.

She suggested $500,000 over three years to continue the project…….
See full article HERE

Articles:
The He Puapua affair makes Labour look shifty

Free speech in Parliament challenged: Maori Party MPs press the Speaker to bar questions they regard as “racist”

Chris Lynch: Will He Puapua unite New Zealanders as the authors have claimed?

Tony Sayers: He Puapua - the Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing 

This Breaking Views Update monitors race relations in the media on a weekly basis. A summary of new material being added is emailed out during the week - to subscribe (or unsubscribe) to the mailout, please use the form at the top of the Breaking Views sidebar. If you would like to send Letters to the Editor in response to any of these articles, most media addresses can be found HERE

Friday May 7, 2021 

News: 
The Future Is Māori (The Reserve Bank of New Zealand) 
With Māori values becoming an increasingly integral part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s society, the future of our economy is Māori, and it is bright, Reserve Bank Assistant Governor Christian Hawkesby says.

“When I say that the future is Māori, I’m not just talking about Māori people, Māori businesses, or Māori jobs. Perhaps one of the most powerful ways in which Māori will shape the future of Aotearoa New Zealand is through Māori values.

He discussed how Māori values such as manaakitanga (respect and generosity), kaitiakitanga (guardianship), and whanaungatanga (relationships) have shaped Māori economic relationships for generations, which are increasingly being reflected in business.

He concludes that an understanding of Te Ao Māori must be a core competency for all New Zealand directors, as it will shape the economic environment of Aotearoa New Zealand for years to come……
See full article HERE

Educating rangatahi about their true Māori history
Last Wednesday Minister Kelvin Davis went to Waihi marae in Ngāti Tuwharetoa to sign an kawenata or covenant, which provides an opportunity for Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Raukawa and Waikato iwi to have input into what history will be taught in their schools…….
See full article HERE

Council adopts Māori wards (Far North DC)
Far North District Councillors have voted to establish Māori wards for the 2022 and 2025 local body elections following an extraordinary Council meeting on Tuesday.

The Council understands that Northland is currently the only region in the country where a regional council and all the region’s territorial authorities have established Māori wards……
See full article HERE

Māori 'kicked in the guts' over failed Māori ward bid in Manawatū
Manawatū District councillors have voted 6-4 to defer a decision on whether to introduce Māori wards until 2024, amid accusations aspirations of re-election were put ahead of their convictions......
See full article HERE

Treaty group finally calls election - 16 months after Waitangi Tribunal and Minister told them to
A Treaty Settlement Group has called an election, a month after a group of beneficiaries went to court asking for the current trustees to be removed, and 16 months after the Waitangi Tribunal and the Government said elections should be held.

Mana Ahuriri Trust, the Post Settlement Governance Entity for claims in the Napier area, was set up to handle the settlement signed with the Crown in 2016.

The settlement involved financial and commercial redress of about $19.5 million, and vesting of some properties to seven Napier hapū who are represented by the trust…..
See full article HERE

Team leader weaves Māori culture into everyday learning
A team leader in a bicultural preschool, New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) student Tangiwai Trueman’s goal is to lead and implement kaupapa Māori in centre life.

“I absolutely love being able to incorporate this treasured language into our centre, especially as I speak it fluently and am of Māori descent myself. It is so wonderful to see tamariki and kaiako alike welcome te reo Māori with open hearts and minds…..
See full article HERE

Rahui on Taranaki Mounga after climbers die
Ngā Iwi o Taranaki have placed a rahui to acknowledge the deaths of two Christchurch climbers near the summit on Tuesday night.

It will apply to all access routes to the summit and be reviewed after a week…..
See full article HERE

New partnership to grow Māori success in STEM

A new partnership with the Pūhoro STEM Academy will support thousands more rangatahi Māori to participate and succeed in the fields of science, technology, and innovation, Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis announced today.

“Our Government is committed to improving the outcomes and experience of Māori learners and their whānau. This partnership with Pūhoro supports that commitment and will see a lift in Māori achievement in STEM areas,” Kelvin Davis said…..
See full article HERE

Te Reo Māori and invisible ink to be phased into NZ passports
Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs has unveiled a new version of the New Zealand passport with enhanced security features, according to Stuff.co.nz.

The front cover will remain the same with the silver fern and coat of arms but te Reo Māori will appear before English on the cover and throughout the book……
See full article HERE

Māori names and stories returned to the whenua
Names harking back to history and stories treasured by Māori are being returned to the whenua in parks across communities in the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board area.

Earlier this year, the local board adopted 18 names provided to it by mana whenua as part of the council’s cultural identity programme, Te Kete Rukuruku. Names for a further 32 parks are currently being worked on……
See full article HERE

South African rugby team stops doing controversial haka after getting letter from NZR
A South African rugby team who went viral over their use of the haka have stopped performing the Māori challenge after being requested to do so by New Zealand Rugby……
See full article HERE

Articles:
The Tide is Turning – Dr Muriel Newman

Are you OK with two governments under tribal rule? - Mike Butler

Propaganda:
Don't be so scared of a little self-determination when it comes to Māori 

Thursday May 6, 2021 

News: 
He Puapua report: Māori Development Minister wants public buy-in 
Concerns about the He Puapua report - on how to better uphold indigenous rights - are being dismissed by Minister for Māori Development Willie Jackson.

Jackson has prepared a draft paper, setting out the next steps the government could take in response to He Puapua, which he says will go to Cabinet soon.

The National and ACT parties were unimpressed, saying the report was separatist and divisive, but Jackson said it that was not the case.

"There's a big process to go through still, as you have heard. We had our treaty minister Andrew Little say he hasn't even read it so I've got a big process to go through. I've got to circulate this with Cabinet and after that we have to lay down a strategy in terms of the public……
See full article HERE

More on the above here > Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says Māori self-determination is not something "to be afraid of", saying persistent inequities were evidence the traditional consultation approach "has not worked"…..

Tauranga MP opposes Greerton name change
Tauranga MP Simon Bridges has made it clear he opposes any proposal which involves the renaming of Greerton.

However, one community leader believes it is time to have a “brave conversation” about the background surrounding the Tauranga suburb and a potential future name change.

Tommy is pleased the issue has sparked some debate, even commending some of the more tongue-in-cheek suggestions that have been shared on social media.

However, he is firm in the belief that any Maori name for Greerton should be easy to pronounce……
See full article HERE

Supporting future-focussed Maori Crown relations
We expect your entities to embody the Government’s good-faith and collaborative approach to Māori Crown relationships by:

* engaging appropriately and often with Māori on relevant issues;

* pursuing further opportunities for partnership with Māori entities and businesses;

* building staff Māori cultural capability including knowledge of tikanga Māori, te ao Māori, New Zealand history and how to address institutional racism;

* improving the Treaty-consistency of policy and practices (for example, considering where whanau-centred policies can be used); and

* supporting the Maihi Karauna by promoting and supporting the revitalisation of te reo Māori……
See full article HERE

Vodafone And TEDxAuckland Partner To Deliver A Kaupapa Māori Focused Event
Vodafone and TEDxAuckland are partnering to deliver a kaupapa Māori focused event this afternoon at Vodafone’s Auckland headquarters in Takapuna, entitled ‘Turuki! Turuki! A Tiriti-based approach to the future of tech’.

This event is part of the Tāpiri atu ki te ao Matihiko collective, which rallies some of Aotearoa’s most well-known businesses around shared challenges and opportunities on how to integrate Te Tiriti o Waitangi into our work, as well as grow Māori leadership in the sector and ensure ongoing access to digital technology……
See full article HERE

Iwi companies consider Maori bank
A far north iwi leader says creating some sort of Māori finance entity will be an essential step in helping post settlement iwi reach their economic goals.

…….which is essential if iwi don't want to keep pumping their settlements through the mainstream economy.

"One of the things the commercial entities are starting to look at is the idea of a Māori financial institution which it will provide for our needs in a way we want them provided for. Gone are the days when we need to be the square PEG that sits in the round hole," says Piripi…….
See full article HERE

Māori aren't scary, kaumātua says, as hui hears case in support of Māori wards for councils
Iwi, hapū and whānau representatives pushing for Māori wards on the Waipā District Council have met face-to-face with the elected members charged with making the decision.

“Māori wards aren’t separatism. Māori representation in local government means councils working in partnership with Māori, not separate from them.”

“It’s not seven to one, not seven to three and so in my submission to you, I am asking for four Māori wards.”
See full article HERE

Ngati Whatua finishes case for exclusive mana whenua
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei deputy chair Ngarimu Blair says the hapū has done as much as it can do in arguing for exclusive mana whenua over central Auckland.

Ten weeks of hearing ended last Friday the High Court at Auckland in the challenge against the crown offering small parcels of land in Parnell and Grafton for the Marutūahu settlement…..
See full article HERE

Rawiri Waititi wonders 'why two Pākehā women talking about Māori issues' during freshwater debate in House
Rawiri Waititi made a point of order in Parliament today wondering “why two Pākehā women are talking about Māori issues" as Judith Collins questioned Jacinda Ardern about freshwater rights.

The debate comes as Ngāti Kahungunu announced in February this year it will join forces with Ngāi Tahu to take legal action against the Crown over shared control and management of freshwater…..
See full article HERE

Government’s Paternalism Over Māori Businesses
“The Government’s paternalistic approach towards Māori through procurement is a step too far and needs explaining,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“The Government, in another departure from the idea that all New Zealanders are equal before the law, has set a quota of five percent of Government procurement being spent on Māori businesses.

“Will the Government compromise on quality or cost when it procures goods and services from Māori businesses, and if the same standards are expected of Māori businesses what is the point of the policy?…..
See full article HERE

Māori seek more leadership in kiwifruit sector
Timutimu is chairman of the Māori Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (MKGI) and also a shareholder in the largest Māori kiwifruit operation in the country, Ngai Tukairangi Trust, based in Tauranga. He told Rural News it would be good to see Māori in leadership roles throughout the industry, as well as being some of the leading growers in the country……
See full article HERE

Christchurch's first Matariki fireworks display to go ahead
Christchurch’s first ever Matariki fireworks display will take place in July.

The Christchurch City Council decided last year to cancel its public Guy Fawkes display after 23 years, in favour of a July celebration to mark Matariki…….
See full article HERE 

Wednesday May 5, 2021 

News: 
Draft cabinet paper on future of He Puapua report revealed 
A draft Cabinet paper has been prepared setting out the next steps the government could take in response to the report on achieving the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The government-commissioned report, He Puapua, suggested a separate Māori Parliament or upper house, separate court and justice systems and Māori ownership of foreshore and seabed, as well as recommendations on cultural rights and equity.

In 2019 it was handed to Nanaia Mahuta, who was Māori Development minister at the time, but it was never signed off by Cabinet.

The ACT Party has now revealed Māori Development Minister Willie Jackson received three papers last month about the report, including a draft Cabinet paper for feedback……
See full article HERE

Reti defends Puapua panic
National Party deputy leader Shane Reti says the party’s attack on a government report is a legitimate call for a debate.

Dr Reti denies it is now race-baiting.

"This should be a national conversation, not obscured as a document produced in 2019 for Nanaia Mahuta and the team, quietly kept there while parts are implemented, then suddenly it all appears and it all seems quite a surprise. I think it is a conversation now we know what's in that document and what the proposal is to 2040, let's have that national conversation, let's discuss it and see what can be made of it," he says…..
See full article HERE

from David Seymour — He Puapua revelations
ACT can reveal new information on He Puapua:

• Ombudsman forced the Government to release He Puapua report

• Government said in March “New Zealand is committed to being among the first states to create a plan to implement the Declaration”

• A Government Cabinet paper has been drafted to progress He Puapua

• Willie Jackson met with the Chair of the Declaration Working Group last month…..
See full article HERE

Māori scholars say their work isn't getting fair recognition due to racism, unconscious bias
Jacinta Ruru, the first-ever Māori Professor of Law, said Tangata Whenua have had to resort to creating their own journals in order to have their voices heard.

"To succeed as a scholar you must be published, that is a requirement of our job."

Global publishers were a big part of the problem, she said.

"Māori don't feel that the mainstream publishing journals are very welcoming of us…..
See full article HERE

Mural Celebrating Culture And Diversity Adds Colour To Tāmaki Makaurau Street
Local artists and tertiary art students have collaborated to create a new piece of large-scale art that celebrates the culture and diversity of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

The other two panels have been designed and painted by Hana and Poi to bring awareness to the rich Māori heritage and taiao (environment) on which the city was founded.

Collectively, the three panels depict the importance of welcoming different cultures and diversity in Te Tōangaroa - an area which spans from the end of Britomart to The Strand – and Tāmaki Makaurau……
See full article HERE

Labour’s Jobs Plan Is Falling Apart
“The $50 million Māori trades and training fund has only delivered four jobs. And the employment ‘action plans’ for Māori, Pasifika, women and jobseekers are still on the drawing board…..
See full article HERE

Forward Momentum Continues As Iwi Chairs Set To Gather In Porirua
The National Iwi Chairs Forum (NICF) are set to meet in Porirua this week on the 6th and 7th of May at Te Rauparaha Arena. The collective leadership of the 71 Iwi entities that make up the NICF meet quarterly to share information and work together to advance and address the identified priorities of the forum.......
See full article HERE

Emotional scenes as Far North District Council votes yes on Māori wards
There were emotional scenes at a Far North District Council meeting this afternoon as councillors voted 6 – 4 in favour of establishing Māori wards.

The current council will now have to decide the structure of the next council.

If it retains its current number of nine members then three would become Māori ward councillors leaving six representing general wards…..
See full article HERE

A majority of people submitting to the Hawke's Bay Regional Council on Māori wards are demanding the council introduce them.
A total of 1090 submissions were received: 89.2 percent were in support and 10.5 percent against, three people said they did not know.

Of people who submitted, 70 percent were on the Māori roll, 26.9 percent on the general roll and 2.7 percent not registered...…
See full article HERE

Articles:
Opaque response to Māori governance advice undermines confidence

Equal treatment for Kiwis? But that mightn’t square with the Treaty and let’s not forget Don Brash is calling for it, too

Shaken and Stirred: The Left Reacts To Judith Collins’ Race-Based Politicking.

Propaganda:
Iwi vs Kiwi: Beyond the binary 

Tuesday May 4, 2021 

News: 
New Passports Being Phased In 
An updated passport with new and improved security features is being phased in by Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs.

"The New Zealand passport has a unique design we can be proud of when we present our documents at foreign borders,” says Maria Robertson, Service Delivery and Operations Deputy Chief Executive.

The silver fern and Coat of Arms remain, but te reo Māori now appears first on the cover and throughout the book……
See full article HERE

National's Judith Collins predicts greater co-governance for Māori under Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
National leader Judith Collins predicts greater co-governance for Māori under the leadership of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, which she strongly opposes.

Collins' concern is based on an un-redacted version of He Puapua, a report commissioned by the Government in 2019 that sets out a roadmap to co-governance between the Crown and Māori by 2040.

It proposes a Māori Health Authority and Māori wards in councils, which the Government has acted on. It also suggests separate court and justice systems, Māori ownership over the foreshore and seabed a Māori Parliament or Upper House……
See full article HERE

Māori trust accuses Bunnings of wanting cultural performers on the cheap
A Māori charitable trust in Queenstown is accusing Bunnings Warehouse of wanting cultural performers on the cheap.

Mana Tāhuna said it was asked to do a dawn karakia and waiata to open a new store but the company went looking elsewhere when it was told the fee would be $500…..
See full article HERE

Introducing The Māori Team 2021 – Wairakei school
It is our principal’s, Paula Farquhar, vision to give all teachers and students exposure and the opportunity to learn Te Reo and Tikanga Māori.

Great things don’t happen unless there is a group of people who are willing to support this vision. At Wairakei Primary School we have such a group of people in the Māori Curriculum team with each area of the school being represented…..
See full article HERE

Pūkaha Forest gifted to NZ for 'everyone to enjoy'
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has described it as an "extraordinary act of generosity" by the iwi, which was given back the forest as part of its Treaty settlement redress in 2017.

Ardern said it was a privilege to accept the gift at a ceremony at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre today…..
See full article HERE

Parent shocked and lost for words after Porirua class asked to play 'racist' game
A Porirua parent is "lost for words" after her 14-year-old was asked to participate in a colonial-style game which separated children into slaves, chiefs and aliens.

Earlier today she said a Year 10 Aotea College class were instructed to do the activity, which involved selling slaves, land and commoners - for "10 pearls".

Documents show the groups were also asked to attack aliens and rival countries, as well as inviting missionaries to talk to invaders and buy zap guns.

In a statement, acting principal Kathleen Kaveney said the Alien Invasion game was played in the context of a Treaty of Waitangi unit……
See full article HERE

Under your thumb no longer says Dame Tariana
Māori Party founder Dame Tariana Turia says the Treaty of Waitangi has been misinterpreted, and the crown needs to review what its responsibilities may not be.

She's welcoming proposals for a Māori Health Authority and a Māori alternative to Oranga Tamariki as opportunities for Māori to take back the right to control their own lives.

"So what we've got really is a society that is quite racist, and so these people who are jumping up and down are more afraid of losing the power they have had over our lives. That's really what they are afraid of because they have enjoyed having us under their thumb. Well, those days are over, Judith," Dame Tariana says……
See full article HERE

Labour's Māori caucus stoush with Housing Minister Megan Woods over Budget 2021
Newshub understands Labour's Māori caucus reached breaking point with the Housing Minister, scrapping over how much of this year's housing budget should go to Māori

Newshub has been told it got so bad that the row was nearly escalated to the Prime Minister, but instead Labour's deputy leader Kelvin Davis was asked to step in to mediate…..
See full article HERE

PM accuses Collins over playing politics of Māori self-determination report

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has ruled out the idea of a Māori parliament but sidestepped other questions about a report on Māori self-determination, instead accusing the Opposition leader of politicking.

National Party leader Judith Collins said on Saturday the Government was seeking to create "two systems by stealth", with separate systems for Māori, by enacting recommendations in the report He Puapua without public consultation…...
See full article HERE

Articles:
Graham Adams: Ardern in the gun over He Puapua

Bruce Moon: Rangiaowhia – setting the record straight

Chris Trotter: giving effect to the un declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples

National, Labour and He Puapua – Michael Bassett

Propaganda:
How Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei turned a piece of land into a billion-dollar enterprise 'for our people'

Our history of Māori segregation needs to be part of the curriculum

Echoes of the past in Judith Collins' speech 

Sunday May 2, 2021 

News: 
Crown apology, compensation needed for Oranga Tamariki failings - Lady Tureiti Moxon 
The Crown needs to consider compensation and a formal apology to Māori whānau for the trauma caused to them by the state's hostility and failings, says Lady Tureiti Moxon.

In response to those who would call the proposal separatist, Lady Tureiti said to look at New Zealand's coat of arms.

"There are two visionary people there. One has a crown, and the other is iwi.

"And you know what? Never in our whole history in our country have we ever recognised Māori as being on an equal footing as the Crown. Now is our opportunity to do that. It is time…….
See full article HERE

Breath of life for Waikato Medical School in cultural and rural partnerships
A Waikato University Medical School is still on the cards despite major health reforms announced by the Government last week.

The shift in the New Zealand health system has also caused a change within the university’s plans to create a third medical school and partner with Māori, Pasifika, and the rural community to build a new curriculum from the ground up.

It had initially pitched a bid to establish the country's third med school in 2016 focused on high needs communities, but the idea languished after lukewarm support from Labour……
See full article HERE

Judith Collins issues race relations warning, says Labour planning 'two systems by stealth'
National Party leader Judith Collins has used a keynote speech to warn that the Government is heading down a dangerous path on race relations.

She said the Government was planning separate Māori governance in areas beyond the new proposed Māori Health Authority.

The party has been completely opposed to the new health authority, and is now broadening out its opposition to the issue of separate Māori and non-Māori institutions more generally……
See full article HERE

Articles:
Andrew Dickens: Are Māori breaking the Treaty?

Waitangi Tribunal doesn't recommend disbanding Oranga Tamariki

We must reject ‘apartheid by stealth’ – Clive Bibby

This Breaking Views Update monitors race relations in the media on a weekly basis. A summary of new material being added is emailed out during the week - to subscribe (or unsubscribe) to the mailout, please use the form at the top of the Breaking Views sidebar. If you would like to send Letters to the Editor in response to any of these articles, most media addresses can be found HERE
 

3 comments:

DeeM said...

Judith Collins speech to the National Party northern convention was a revelation. Finally, the sleeping lion has woken up. She addressed, head-on, Labour's divisive, separatist agenda, as set out in the He Puapua Report, and it was actually reported by the media...a double whammy!
This is what all centre-right voters have been waiting for. Now, let's see how the Nats are going to push on and drive this home. I'm cautiously optimistic that we have an opposition fit-for-purpose.

Ray S said...

Maori scholars.
"Māori don't feel that the mainstream publishing journals are very welcoming of us"

It seems that comments such as this need only be said to start the scramble to appease the writer and their supporters. I would have thought that publishers of academic papers publish purely on the merits of the papers content.

Phil said...

The thing that gets me the most is the media. They are largely complicit in burying discussion of the separatist plans or attacking the people who expose it. We appear to be witnessing the NZ equivalent of a Watergate. Our democracy is being subverted with the assistance of MPs and journalists. Mike Hosking came out swinging today, thank goodness.