But if you’ve been following the story of Te Urewera National Park, you’ll know that's not strictly true.
Te Urewera National Park – as in Lake Waikaremoana, one of NZ's great walks – has been closed since August and only reopened again 9 days ago.
Why? Because it’s no longer run by DOC only.
For the last eight years, it’s also been run by the local iwi tuhoe under a co-governance model.
The problem is that most of the huts and many of the swing bridges were in dire need of repair but the iwi wouldn’t allow the repairs.
Money wasn’t the problem. DOC was prepared to pay for all it.
But the iwi didn’t think it needed repairing. Apparently, they had “different standards” on the nature of the hazards and told DOC if they didn’t like the situation, they could simply remove the structures.
It’s finally been sorted now, which is why the walk has opened again but we missed the summer.
That right there is a problem with Māori co-governance.
Because, if that was place was run exclusively by DOC, like it was beforehand, and DOC shut it down for summer because it just couldn't be bothered maintaining the assets we’ve all put our taxpayer money into, we would haul the minister over the coals in front of the media and put pressure on them until they pulled up their socks and did their job.
Because they are accountable to us.
But not the iwi.
You can bad mouth the iwi all you like, but they’re not going to lose their jobs because Kiwis are grumpy, we can’t go on a great walk and our assets are being run down. They are not accountable to us.
Now tell me if that’s a model you like, because I don’t. But that’s what’s coming our way.
This is what Labour is planning for the entire Health System and your water aswell.
The health system will be run by Health NZ – a body accountable to you – and a Māori Health authority.
Water will be run by a water authority accountable to you and iwi representatives.
So next time Willie or any of the proponents of Māori co-governance tell you it works and there’s nothing to be afraid of, just remember how well it’s working at Lake Waikaremoana.
Heather du Plessis-Allan is a journalist and commentator who hosts Newstalk ZB's Drive show. This article was originally published HERE, 24 February 2022
Why? Because it’s no longer run by DOC only.
For the last eight years, it’s also been run by the local iwi tuhoe under a co-governance model.
The problem is that most of the huts and many of the swing bridges were in dire need of repair but the iwi wouldn’t allow the repairs.
Money wasn’t the problem. DOC was prepared to pay for all it.
But the iwi didn’t think it needed repairing. Apparently, they had “different standards” on the nature of the hazards and told DOC if they didn’t like the situation, they could simply remove the structures.
It’s finally been sorted now, which is why the walk has opened again but we missed the summer.
That right there is a problem with Māori co-governance.
Because, if that was place was run exclusively by DOC, like it was beforehand, and DOC shut it down for summer because it just couldn't be bothered maintaining the assets we’ve all put our taxpayer money into, we would haul the minister over the coals in front of the media and put pressure on them until they pulled up their socks and did their job.
Because they are accountable to us.
But not the iwi.
You can bad mouth the iwi all you like, but they’re not going to lose their jobs because Kiwis are grumpy, we can’t go on a great walk and our assets are being run down. They are not accountable to us.
Now tell me if that’s a model you like, because I don’t. But that’s what’s coming our way.
This is what Labour is planning for the entire Health System and your water aswell.
The health system will be run by Health NZ – a body accountable to you – and a Māori Health authority.
Water will be run by a water authority accountable to you and iwi representatives.
So next time Willie or any of the proponents of Māori co-governance tell you it works and there’s nothing to be afraid of, just remember how well it’s working at Lake Waikaremoana.
Heather du Plessis-Allan is a journalist and commentator who hosts Newstalk ZB's Drive show. This article was originally published HERE, 24 February 2022
9 comments:
And, you missed "Planning" - and don't think that doesn't matter much, until you want to build or do something.
And, aside from having no control over those appointed (as being able to vote them out), what isn't mentioned is there's invariably the power of veto. If you think that doesn't matter, have a think about what's happening in the Ukraine and how useless the UN Security Council is because of those powers of veto. And, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to be able to see how that power will invariably be used here to benefit those holding it.
It's a disaster in the making, and despite what that multi-millionaire Willie Jackson says, we have everything to fear.
A good example of the vindictive approach of maori to use of the natural environment by mere others, but not a good example of co governance. According to Finlayson, who certainly knows, the Park was effectively gifted to maori in recompense for past dubious dealings, with maori now free to utilise as they please. Maori ensconsed in the idyllic Waikaremoana area, supported by benefits, do not welcome the endless flow of tourists intruding in what they regard as their part of NZ. So they do not cooperate with Doc. Besides they seem to be planning on tours accompanied by a te reo folklore spouting maori or trace maori guide, for a considerable fee. The classic example of co governance and much of what is wrong with same is the Tupuna Maunga Authority in Auckland. With the staff obviously pro maori, and the Board half mana whenua and half Council reps, at least one of the Council invariably sides with maori (at least one rep was closely related to maori). The outcome has been many very dissatisfied main user members of the public, limited access, ruined scenery, loss of birds, expensive court cases, grossly extravagant justifying publications, and operating cost vastly greater than pre co governance.
The problem with 50/50 co governace is that it is effectively maori control and motivation is more to stick it to colonists than the common good. (This more or less stated at the public hui 2019)
Nz will be a 3rd world country under co-governance. No doubt at all.
I think DOC paid
2 million dollars annually to Tuhoe for hut maintenance.
Anyone condoning co-governance is actually condoning racism.
NZ stood tall fighting racism - now that its been redefined, maori intend benefiting from it.
Here is the scheme for the Long March towards apartheid New Zealand:-
Marama Fox, the former co-leader of the Maori Party, which used to represent the tribal elite in Parliament, outlined their plan for the Maori language in an interview in the Listener before the election. It involved replacing our Westminster model of Parliamentary democracy in New Zealand with a “unique form of governance that would favour Maori customs, principles and values.”
She explained it was all ‘plotted out’: “It would take 36 years – 12 election cycles – for a Maori sovereignty party to share government… it’s a radical vision… but if we believe in it, then we need to march towards it.”
She explained that the “critical step” in shifting the thinking of New Zealanders to make it all possible was “to make the Maori language a core subject in the country’s schools”.
Marama Fox argued that “people look at things differently once they’ve acquired te reo. It’s a world view. The Maori world view is different and that’s expressed in the language. The language unlocks our history and our thinking.”
The part I find difficult about co-governance is how we decide representation. Surely all legal Maori, that is anyone with the slightest drop of ancestral Maori blood, should be covered by one side. The other side should represent the rest. So no Maori should represent us white yellow browns that are bereft of the bloodline, and the other way as well.
Perhaps it is getting to where we need tests and compulsory arm bands to be worn by the unworthy.
It's APARTHEID and TREASONOUS is what it is.
re Marama Fox, people do look at things different when they acquire te reo. Theystart looking for some soft well paid sinecure job utilising it. And they cease to see value in quaint three Rs skills, established science etc. As te reo enthusiasts permeate ever more of schools, local bodies etc the useful acheivemnts of NZers will continue to dwindle.
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