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Saturday, August 26, 2023

Breaking Views Update: Week of 20.08.23







Saturday August 26, 2023 

News:
Western Bay of Plenty Māori wards decision was the reason Alan Kurtovich quit, triggering byelection

A community board deputy chairman has quit over a council decision supporting Māori wards, with his resignation prompting a byelection that could cost ratepayers $14,500.

Kurtovich told the Bay of Plenty Times he was quitting because of the decision in favour of Māori wards.

“The community didn’t get an opportunity to voice their thoughts on what should have been voted on.”

Kurtovich said the question of Māori wards came up a couple of times while he was campaigning for election to the board.

“I said I wasn’t in favour of Māori wards. That was the decision I took.....
See full article HERE

Hundreds witness history as first wahine Māori Land Court chief judge sworn in
After a career spanning three decades, the appointment of Judge Caren Fox to lead the Māori Land Court is a recognition of her experience, qualifications and competence in te reo and tikanga Māori and the understanding both play in the functions of the court.

Fox (Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata) was sworn into the role yesterday in front of judiciary colleagues, members of the legal profession and a large contingent of Te Tai Rāwhiti and Waiariki iwi representatives in Hamilton, officially becoming the first wahine to hold the position of Chief Judge of the court.

Among them was Supreme Court judge Tā Joe Williams, himself a former chief judge of the Land Court.....
See full article HERE

Tough on crime is the best policy for Maori - David Seymour
"The New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey 2022 shows that Maori, more than any other ethnicity, are victims of crime. They make up 37 per cent of victims, with a shocking incident rate of 61.89 offences against them per 100 adults.

"Maori women in particular are disproportionately the victims of crime. The incidence rate (number of offences per 100 adults) for Maori females was 59 per 100 adults. 38 per cent of adults who are victimised once or more are Maori females.

"Cuddling criminals hasn’t worked. New Zealand’s justice system needs to start putting victims first, which means ensuring appropriate sentences for offenders that will keep communities safe....
See full article HERE

Taranaki Maunga deal gets popular tick
Members of Taranaki’s eight iwi have voted to approve the redress deal for the confiscation of Taranaki Maunga negotiated with the Crown.

A final signing of Te Rukuruku Pūtakerongo – the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Deed – will take place next Friday at Ōwae Marae in Waitara.....
See full article HERE

Hauora advocates hopeful health changes will stick despite election
Māori health advocates in Taranaki are optimistic they will retain their new power in the public system even if the National wins October’s election.

Last year’s reforms included a new Māori health authority Te Aka Whai Ora to make the system work better for Māori.....
See full article HERE

Articles:
Graham Adams: Hipkins’ insists there’s ‘nothing to fear’ in co-governance

Robin Grieve: Co-governance would be a breach of the Treaty.

Clive Bibby: Co-governance and the Three waters legislation  

This Breaking Views Update monitors race relations in the media on a weekly basis. New material is added regularly. 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 August 25, 2023 

News: 
NZ First plan to pull Aotearoa out of UNDRIP comes under heavy fire 
On Sunday, New Zealand First announced it would withdraw New Zealand from the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples if elected, citing concerns over race-based preferences. But politicians and legal experts warn against such a move.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has called the declaration a “race-based preference.”

“This was in conflict with our constitution, in conflict with our democracy, and in perpetration of our law - that one view based on race would prevail,” he says.

New Zealand First says the declaration is “the starting point and origin of the He Puapua report, which was deceitfully hidden from New Zealand First by Labour.”

It says pulling out of UNDRIP would “consign He Puapua to the rubbish bin of racism.”.....
See full article HERE

Motueka gets new papakainga
A papakainga at the top of the South Island is seen as the first step towards a Māori renaissance in the area.

The $15-million dollar, 20 home development in at Te Awhina Marae in Motueka is set to get its first tenants in early October....
See full article HERE

New partners strengthen Kotahitanga mō te Taiao Alliance
Ngāti Toa has signed an agreement to join a major conservation partnership, which brings all nine eligible iwi around the table.

All top of the south iwi, and those of Buller/Kawatiri, have now joined the Kotahitanga mō te Taiao Alliance, which advocates for nature and people facing habitat loss and the effects of climate change.....
See full article HERE

Te ao Māori key to restoring native forests
The Kaimai Mamaku Restoration Project is on a mission to restore the mauri (life force) of the Kaimai Mamaku. The project is led by Manaaki Kaimai Mamaku Trust, which administers $19.4 million Mahi mo te Taiao (Jobs for Nature) funding from the Department of Conservation.

The Trust is co-governed and te ao Māori is integral to governance and operational support. Each project’s unique mātauranga (knowledge) of site whakapapa (genealogy/history) and wairua (spirit) provides the framework for the manaakitanga (care) and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) delivered through restoration activities.....
See full article HERE

Articles:
Auckland Council: Should Māori get two seats at the table?  

Thursday August 24, 2023 

News: 
Kiwibank reboots loan criteria to empower pakihi Māori 
Kiwibank is approving a greater proportion of small business loans thanks to a project to remove barriers to Māori entrepreneurs securing capital to grow their businesses.

“Importantly, for smaller sums of lending, we’ve also removed the requirement that the lending needs to be secured against a business owner’s personal property,” Pihama said.

This was a barrier identified by the Reserve Bank to Māori small business owners securing loans, as homeownership rates remain lower among Māori.....
See full article HERE

Civic centre to be known as Te Whare Whakatere
Ashburton’s new library and civic centre has been gifted a new Māori name, Te Whare Whakatere.

It will replace the two previously gifted names Te Pātaka o kā Tuhituhi (the storehouse of publications) for the library and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka (the gateway of Hine Paaka) for the civic centre.

The whole civic complex on Baring Square East will be known as Te Whare Whakatere.

The Council Chamber will be called Hine Paaka, and the library space will be known as Te Kete Tuhinga, meaning a basket of script.

“We’re delighted with the new names gifted from Arowhenua. I think we have achieved a great milestone here; the names link well to the history and heritage that mana whenua and pākeha share in our district.”.....
See full article HERE

Final Three Waters bills pass through Parliament
The final two pieces of legislation setting up the government's Three Waters programme have passed their third readings under urgency in Parliament.

The election in October will decide whether the system will remain.

National and ACT have both promised to repeal the entire suite of reforms - but keep the water regulator Taumata Arowai - if elected in October.....
See full article HERE

United approach needed for road naming
The name Papakangahorohoro Road, suggested by Ngāti Awa for a new road at Piripai, a beachside neighbourhood just outside Whakatāne, has been unanimously rejected by developers and residents.

The council recently engaged with Ngāti Awa through cultural adviser Pouroto Ngaropo who selected the name Papakangahorohoro Road, meaning “to move swiftly in battle formation like the crab”.....
See full article HERE

Māori Woman Initiates Judicial Review Against Tūpuna Maunga Authority And Auckland Council
A Māori woman has initiated a judicial review against the co-governance body Tūpuna Maunga Authority as first respondent, and Auckland Council as second respondent.

It is the second judicial review initiated against the Authority and Council in relation to the Authority’s intention to rid Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s maunga of non-native trees. The first judicial review, undertaken by Auckland couple Warwick and Averil Norman, found both the Authority and Council had acted unlawfully for not consulting the public and when issuing a resource consent for cutting down 354 non-native trees on Ōwairaka Mt Albert.....
See full article HERE

Whittaker’s Miraka Kirīmi chocolate block returns despite racist backlash
With Te Wiki o te Reo Māori just around the corner, Aotearoa’s most trusted brand Whittaker’s is back with its special edition Miraka Kirīmi (Creamy Milk) block despite receiving racist backlash in the past.

“Like many others across New Zealand, Whittaker’s is on a journey with te reo and, as part of that, we are proud to help raise awareness around Te Wiki o te Reo Māori by making Miraka Kirīmi for this annual celebration."....
See full article HERE

Auckland Council Downplays Role Of IMSB In Māori Seats Consultation
Responding to the call by Auckland Council for the public’s views on whether to introduce Māori seats, Democracy Action Chair Lee Short says “Auckland Council is not being fully transparent in its consultation with the public. The Council’s feedback form does not make it clear that the Māori seats would be created in addition to the Independent Māori Statutory Board. The Government established this Board instead of introducing Māori wards, surely making it an integral part of whether to introduce Māori ward seats or not,” he said.

“The Council’s consultation document does not make it clear the Independent Māori Statutory Board already exercises significant influence over the Council’s policies and decision-making processes, which includes voting power that directly impacts decisions made by Governing Body committees. Typically, one or two seats are allocated to the Board on all Governing Body committees, where most of the Council’s decisions are made. Adding Māori seats to these committees would further upset the rules around proportional representation, already a contentious issue regarding these committees.”...
See full article HERE

Māori missing out on welfare entitlements
An expert in social security and welfare law says too many Māori are not getting benefits they are entitled to.

Victoria University law lecturer Mamari Stephens says while technically the system treats everyone the same, research shows Māori in are missing out....
See full article HERE

Invercargill Museum adopts new bilingual name
After nearly 30 minutes of deliberation by Invercargill City Council, Invercargill’s new museum has been named “Te Unua Museum of Southland”. The alternative name considered was “Te Unua Southland Museum”.....
See full article HERE

More support for renaming Ruapehu's National Park Village -- to the original Maori name of Waimarino
Council voted against the name change in 1957 -- but a unanimous notice of motion today, overturned that 66-year-old decision.

Ruapehu Council's continuing talks on changing the town's title - which will need approval from the geographic board.....
See full article HERE

Articles:
Robin Grieve: The Waitangi Tribunal must go

Wayne Ryburn: Article 6 - Exposing History Curriculum Myths

Dangerous Influence – Muriel Newman

October 14, 2023 – Anthony Willy.  

Wednesday August 23, 2023 

News: 
Kiingitanga about getting the best for Māori 
Che Wilson from Ngāti Rangi is the youngest member on Tekaumaarua, but he’s been a member since it was established about 15 years ago.

He says it’s gone through a period of disruption in recent years, including the deaths of some senior members, but it’s now ready to take a wider leadership role in te ao Māori.

He says the Kiingitanga is about working together to overcome colonisation.....
See full article HERE

Nurses blocked from being Māori in system
The kaiwhakahaere for the Nurses Organisation says the country’s 5000 Māori nurses face the continuing challenge of being Māori in the workplace.

The theme of the hui, Reclaiming our Whakapapa – Mana o te wai, was a challenge to the institutional racism where they are always forced to defer to mainstream settings.

She says the health system doesn’t recognise that Māori use health services at a higher rate because they have more complex co-morbidity, are late presenters and die early....
See full article HERE

Māori Seats On Auckland Council “morally Repugnant”, ACT Will Abolish Them
“The idea that Auckland Council should have seats reserved just for Māori – or any ethnic group – is abhorrent, and must be stopped,” says ACT Leader David Seymour. “ACT in government will repeal the relevant sections of the Local Electoral Act 2001 and will oppose the introduction of any new legislation that allows race-based representation.”...
See full article HERE

Maori champion sought for bishops’ conference
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference has established a new position of Kaihāpai Māori-Māori Champion, with a view to this role helping to shape the Church’s future.

According to a media release on the bishops’ conference website, the Kaihāpai Māori-Māori Champion “is an influential role that will shape the future of the bishops’ national agencies, in advancing a deeper understanding of the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / Treaty of Waitangi, and a Māori way of working across all ministries”.....
See full article HERE

Kermadec fight over crown integrity
The new chair of Te Ohu Kaimoana, Pahia Turia, says locking something up forever doesn’t fit with Māori notions of kaitiakitanga.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has ruled out fast-track legislation to create a 620,000sq km ocean sanctuary around the Kermadecs and says the Government is committed to working with Maori on a solution.

Mr Turia says the fisheries settlement trust is hosting a wananga on Thursday to explore what an indigenous-led approach to ocean management would look like.....
See full article HERE

Mangawhai school eyes bilingual option
Mangawhai Beach School is asking parents and whānau to indicate whether they are interested in a proposed bilingual program for next year based on a 50 per cent English and 50 per cent te reo Māori curriculum.

The school is considering establishing two classes – one of children from year 1-3 with a maximum of 23 students, and a class of year 4-6 children with a maximum of 26.

“Students will continue to learn literacy and mathematics following the NZ curriculum within a Mātauranga Māori framework,” it says.....
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Anaru Eketone: There’s a lot of scaremongering about Māori elite, but what about the Pākehā elite?  

Tuesday August 22, 2023 

News: 
Time for Māori to lead change, says Kīngitanga 
Kīngi Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII says it’s time for Māori to lead the change needed for the future prosperity of Aotearoa.

In his annual koroneihana (coronation) address at Tūrangawaewae Marae on Monday, the Māori King implored the country to allow iwi Māori to take charge....
See full article HERE

Settlement crumbs mark path to prosperity
The chair of post settlement governance entity Te Tawharau o Te Whakatōhea says a long-awaited treaty settlement is a chance to start rebuilding his iwi’s lost prosperity.

Vaughan Payne says to align with its strategy of mana moana, mana whenua, mana tangata. the Opotiki-based iwi negotiated additional marine space to add to its existing 4000 hectare mussel farm.

He say even the MPs referred to the redress as crumbs, considering Te Whakatohea had been a prosperous iwi in the 1860s before the crown invaded, took its lands and destroyed its ships....
See full article HERE

Labour door closed to Māori Party says Tamihere
Māori Party leader John Tamihere says he’s not expecting any deal with Labour over the Māori electorates – or even after the election.

The Māori Party is running a two-tick campaign, rather than trying to win the Māori seats and letting Labour harvest the party vote.....
See full article HERE

Hipkins defiant on co-governance despite opposition critiques
In the face of growing criticism from opposition parties, Labour leader Chris Hipkins launched a forceful defence of his government’s co-governance initiatives during a campaign launch at Nga Whare Waatea Marae Saturday.

Hipkins highlighted the successes borne from the “by Māori, for Māori, with Maori” approach, which he said had advanced sectors like housing, health, and education.

“Our commitment to a joint venture with Māori is unwavering,” he said.....
See full article HERE

Kermadecs: Labour government won’t ‘confiscate’ Māori rights
Iwi should “feel comfortable” a Labour government has no intention of “confiscating” any rights Māori have with respect to the Kermadec Islands by establishing an ocean sanctuary there, said ministers Kelvin Davis and Willie Jackson.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins quashed speculation the government would fast-track legislation to establish a marine reserve in the Kermadec Islands before the election......
See full article HERE

Extreme weather research gets a boost
NIWA has launched a $5 million per year package of new projects aiming to tackle some of New Zealand’s most pressing challenges, including responding to and preparing for extreme weather events.

An additional $1.85 million per year has been allocated to work with Māori on climate adaptation and to better deliver NIWA science to iwi/hapu and Māori businesses.....
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
The white tears of Taranaki  

Monday August 21, 2023  

News: 
Parihaka hopeful drillers will be kept off historical lands 
Parihaka trustees are optimistic no drilling for oil and gas will be allowed on the pā's historical land, despite silence from the Minister of Energy and Resources.

But she was confident Taranaki iwi would use the official process to press for Parihaka's request that drillers be kept out.

"We're adamant that oil and gas drilling is not sustainable for our communities and our environment, it's not part of our future....
See full article HERE

Grassroots Action Is The Key To Future Prosperity, Iwi Leaders Say
Iwi leaders have sent a clear message to Parliamentarians about the power of Mana Motuhake to deliver prosperity for the nation.

Mr Wilson said the Kiingitanga and various iwi are committed to utilising their collective skills and economic influence to future proof the prosperity of te iwi Maaori and Aotearoa whaanui.

Although some might ignore the message from the motu, Mr Wilson was confident Mana Motuhake would overcome detractors. He said work was currently underway for Maaori to pool their financial capital to provide financial security and independence.....
See full article HERE

Diplomatic status should be given to Kīngi Tuheitia: Rawiri Waititi, Te Pāti Māori
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi has called for the government to formally recognise the mana and status of the Māori King, Kīngi Tuheitia.

Waititi said he wanted the Māori King to receive the “keys to the country” and to enjoy the same diplomatic rights that King Charles has as a sovereign in the UK and during visits to Aotearoa New Zealand.

When asked about Mr Waititi’s call, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said he was seeking advice on whether a formal or constitutional role for Kīngi Tuheitia could be accommodated by the government.....
See full article HERE

Articles:
Denis Hall: Maori culture shaped by European culture  

Sunday August 20, 2023 

News: 
Māori Manifesto 2023 – Labour Party 
Labour is in it for you, and we are working hard every day to deliver better housing, health care and education for Māori throughout Aotearoa.

We are proud of what we have achieved in our six years in Government. We delivered record levels of investment for Māori across our six Budgets, more than any previous Government in history.

Labour is working for Māori, every day, but there’s more to do.

More to rebuild our health system which was blind to Māori needs.

More to support rangatahi to flourish and succeed, especially with education that works for them.

More to get our mokopuna fluent in their language, and to lead the revitalisation of Te Reo Māori.

Our work is not finished.....
See full article HERE

Labour's Maori caucus has endured a gruelling 2023, but MPs are confident they're ready for battle
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins he has launched their campaign in Auckland today, at senior MP Willie Jackson's marae in Mangere.

The 13-strong team has already endured departures of Kiri Allan and Meka Whaitiri, as well as Jacinda Ardern's resignation affecting Labour's approach to Maoridom.

MP Peeni Henare told the Herald there's also concern about the level of racism towards candidates and the community.

He says while it's nothing new, he thinks it's just more heightened, due to rhetoric from the right.....
See full article HERE

Labour makes a promise-free plea to Māori: 'We are in the fight of our lives'
The Labour Party decided not to release any new policies with the launch of its campaign for the Māori electorates. Instead, its Māori candidates delivered a rallying call for what they called “the fight of our lives”.

The campaign launch focused heavily on the prospect of a National-ACT coalition, with party stalwarts such as Rino Tirikatene and Nanaia Mahuta urging the Labour faithful to rally more supporters to fend off a change of government.

The rhetoric aimed to reenergise the Labour Māori caucus and supporters, who didn’t shy away from the fact they’d had a tough couple of months.....
See full article HERE

Māori landowners in Nelson say $1b lost by Crown's broken promise
More than $1 billion is how much the descendants of Māori landowners in Nelson said has been lost as a result of a broken promise by the Crown.

It's about an agreement in 1845 between the Crown and Māori customary landowners when Nelson was established.

While Māori were promised 10% of the land and to keep places of cultural significance, that didn't happen.....
See full article HERE

Propaganda:
Is the portrayal of crime fair to Māori?  

This Breaking Views Update monitors race relations in the media on a weekly basis. New material is added regularly. If you would like to send Letters to the Editor in response to any of these articles, most media addresses can be found HERE

9 comments:

robert Arthur said...

re 20th. Maori want education that works for rangatahi. But what? Taiaha, haka proficiency? Presumably desire an education which suits them to all the paid advisory positions feeding obstruction and obfuscation and extortion to Councils, schools, govt departments etc. And Council management positions parcelling out work favourably to maori. Traditional English, maths and science would seem useful but woolly stuff impossible to question is favoured. Mataurangi etc.
Also want mokupuna fluent in te reo. For a group struggling with education basics, the stone age now mostly contrived hobby language a ridiculous diversion.
If the Labour maori caucus endured much during 2023 it was nothing to the endless pro maori propaganda and control manoeuvring endured by the public.
Peeni Henare bemoans a degree of racism directed at maori candidates. With them promoting blatant racist polices it would be tragic if otherwise.
And maori candidates are considered to be in a fight for their lives. Absurd rhetoric. Sure they are in a fight for a life of monopolistic determination, domination and exploitation of near all aspects of existence for other citizens.

TJ said...

So true Robert. Well said and pointy. Thank you

RobertArthur said...

re 22nd The speech writer for the moari king clearly is guided by "Hoatu he koromatua tango te waewae"
He has progressed from "by maori for maori" to "by maori for everyone!!"
Fortunately for civil order there are few European NZers remaining from the wartime pre brainwashed generation.
it apparently is u.p. Morgan's aim, but to state outright requires extreme gall.

Robert Arthur said...

Re 23rd. One Che Wilson, chair of the advisory to Kiingi (king)Tuheita has brazenly stated that kiingitangata is about working together to overcome colonisation. At least the ultra glib Moana Jackson and accomplice Margaret Motu adopted the artful disguising terminology "imagining decolonisation" when they toured the country spreading their poison and initiating the attitude. I have long maintained that counter colonisation is effectively the theme of maoridom today and manifests as counter the accepted order representing the fruits of colonisation. And that this explains much of the anti social and counter law behaviour of so many maori today. Extending to non attendance at school, ram raids etc. To declare a counter colonisation aim in the current maori sense seems to me to represent blatant sedition. Fully realised only by their their elders, it may be what maori were artfully fighting for, but not what the rest of the 20,000 NZ dead of the WWs sacrificed for.

As colonisation in the broader sense includes all non maori who have come here, including pacific islanders, I am astonished maori have not objected to the immigrant numbers of the last 60 years. Despite many representing cultures alien to maori and generally fitting with the established, there has been little objection to the myriad Asians. I guess maori need those energetic souls to build and pay taxes toward state houses, hobby language schools, pandering health and social services, marae renovations etc for maori.

And the blatant article by Anaru Eketone claiming that others have no bais to fear a maori takeover is typical of many such articles churned out by maori propogandits for the gullible unquestioning masses. We have even had maori assurances that the Tupuna Maunga Authority is a success. I am astonished that the ODT publishes such blatant propoganda. It will be interesting to see at what stage of the election cylce the msm abandon their current blatant pro maori bias.

Robert Arthur said...

Re 24th. Kiwibank share price will not improve.
Despite protests and losing very expensive court cases The Tupuna Maunga Authority continues on its assertive path with little regard for "other" Auckllnders (including very many maori below selected mana whenua rep level). At a hui meeting in 2019 a representative stated that sticking it to whitey for past misdeeds was part of their philosophy (or words to that effect).The irony this time is that a maori woman is concerned at their destructive antics. Despite all, articles have appeared in the all accepting msm where maori supposedly of some standing have blatantly proclaimed the TMA a success.
Maori extensively apply the adage "Hoatu he koromatua tango te waewae". But the proposed street name in Whakatane was attempting to take a whole leg. These repeat try ons are absurd, even if "gifted" (although there is certain to be payment somewhere). A with so much else the fear of cancellation prevents the derision deserved.(Fortunately in the election voters are beyond recognition for cancellation; hence the landslide)
Waimarino for National Park is reasonable as it was in use for the rail stop. Not hard to remember or spell, at least for NZers.
The maori names for civil and govt buildings everywhere are absurd and create considerable operational inefficiencies. if the functional name is routinel used then the maori one is pure tokensism. And serious attempts to use the maori name result in confusion, inefficiency, misplaced mail, lost visitors etc. Winstone and Shane will hopefully sort.
Presumably if maori wards are adopted in Auckland the Independent Maori Statutory Body will lose its committee and voting rights. But even as a work team for the ward electives it will still wield disproportionate power. I am sure many of the other councillors, most intent on constructive contribution rather than obstruction, would welcome a tame dedicated work team to assist them.

Anonymous said...

Kiwibank are stupid offering loans to anyone, maorri or non maori without making them guarantors. It will be interesting how many of them will pay back the loans, when there are no consequences for non repaynent.

Robert Arthur said...

Re 25th.As I recall Helen Clark would not sign up to UNDRIP. When it comes to the good of NZ I place her judgement far beyond that of academic and other maori activists (and all current politicians).
It would be interesting to know the full conditions applicable the papakainga. Are these financed by tax free maori corporates, govt grants etc? How is traditional nepotism accommodated?
The kaimai mamaku project seems a grand lark. Loafing away out of sight in the forest on a full wage doing little measurable. Seems yet another nightmare for the Auditor General. I can just imagine the typical worker diligently obeying all the supposed kauri saving rituals. They probably go pig hunting in the kauri areas after hours.

robert Arthur said...

re 26th. One sympathises with the Western BOP Board deputy chair who tossed in the job after maori wards were contrived. The prospect of having every utterance closely scrutinised for cancellation opportunity, and having to work with persons primarily concerned only with obstruction and posturing to enhance mana and advance maori only, must be daunting. Not to mention the now inevitable associated excruciating karakai, powhiri, speeches in maori, noisy support groups, proceedings in maori time etc. But as hardly anyone takes interest in the utterly boring goings on in Local Boards, his action will achieve little.

Anonymous said...

We don't have to withdraw from UNDRIP - that only applies to countries that have indigenous people.
NZ doesn't have indigenous people - to put it into perspective, Maori arrived in NZ 300 years after the French arrived in England.