Today however some Maori will consider they are discriminated against if and when the privilege is finally removed, as it surely will with the passage of time. This is an obvious consequence of the continuance of the integration of the races.
It should be noted that even the “The Great Charter” known as the Magna Carta of 1215 is regarded as having little relevance in these times. Conversely our own founding document -the Treaty of Waitangi is seemingly more important than when first signed.
A recent opinion piece from Associate Professor Enaru
Eketone of Otago University on what he sees as the disparity between the
“elites’ of Maoridom and non Maori elites, is unhelpful. No definition of elite is offered but it is
generally seen as those with superior abilities. History has recorded the
so-called elite of our world as worthy of special recognition for their
contribution in any given field regardless of ethnicity. Here in NZ , the SAS consists of the armed
forces elite; those whom mental and physical abilities are determined to be
better than average. The All Blacks are selected from the elite of the rugby
players good enough to excel and perform
at a constantly higher level than most.
It is usually pure hard work and dedication to obtain a certain goal,
that earns the title of a successful person but that does not necessarily mean elitist.
Entry to certain universities requires a
certain standard of academic achievement which can be a difficult standard
to achieve yet elitism is a description applied by others due to a
certain state of mind but never by race - until now.
It is therefore difficult to understand the rationale of Professor Enaru Eketone with his accusation of a double standard when it comes to what he clearly sees as a racial divide between “elites” (his word) of Maori and non Maori. It would be helpful if Associate Professor Eketone could cite the study and data to show that such a separation exists. It may also show quite the opposite exists in so many, if not all fields of endeavour.
Those
of us old enough will recall the majestic bass voice of Ina Te Waiata who was referred
to as belonging to a small group of the world’s best but never referred to as
elitist. Has the world heard finer soprano voice than Dame Kiri Te Kanawa? To
use the word elitist in the context the Associate professor does, seems
unfortunate. He appears to also believe that the capitalist world as we know it
is prone to elitism and therefore wrong so we must change the system to one of culturally
endorsed socialism by referring to “our people” as a singular entity which of
course Maoridom certainly is not. The collective pronoun “our” people certainly
infers that there is only one Maori view and it is a favourite expression of
the political “elite” who occupy specially reserved seats in Parliament. Those who seek to perpetuate this divide based
on race within our society condemn us all to always having to justify our
existence as individuals to a collective which is yet to offer examples of how
this works elsewhere. Reliance on the Treaty to continue to always cast its
shadow over NZ is wrong.
The associate professor goes on to state that non- Maori might once have feared a Maori elite arising to live off the profits of land rentals as a reason for the confiscation of land. That rather fertile explanation may have some credibility but in order to live off wealth from the land, professor - you must first of all - create it.
A
cursory glance around our society shows those with Maori ethnicity have
succeeded in every sphere of endeavour so it is a nonsense to suggest that not all
New Zealanders are applauded on the national and international stage for achievement whether within academia,
sport, arts, business and beyond. Achievement is not restricted to a so called elitist grouping of non Maori but is available to all who wish
to avail themselves of opportunity. It has never been explained why the
leadership of Maoridom rarely speak of “their” people’s successes, yet failures
are almost canonized.
It is often said that colonization by the English culture is to blame for the less than ideal
state of some within Maoridom. Would colonization by the Spanish or the French
or Islam be preferred ? In today’s world
and especially here in NZ it would seem that we of this generation are to be held
responsible for the deeds of those from 180 odd years ago with whom we have no
association, yet reparations are sought from us all to this very day. There never will be enough resources to satisfy or offer redress
to everyone whose ancestors suffered harm at the cold hands of authorities so
forming into groupings to achieve a better outcome or share of scarce resources
for your particular interest makes perfect sense.
It is ironic that there appears to be a reverse
colonization of New Zealand as our country’s name has changed to Aotearoa. Our government ministries are now to be known
primarily by their Maori names, as have
place names, lakes and rivers along with
a new science based on traditional knowledge. Co governance will not end with just
water administration. No consultation; no referendum, just imposition.
Whether one’s
ancestors arrived in the first waka or the first four ships, matters not one
jot. As a great American and exemplar for the world said in 1963 - “that he looked forward to the day when his
four little children will be judged not by the colour of their skin but by the
content of their character”. Perhaps that
day arrived when President Obama was elected by the American electorate. Senator
Jacinda Price in Australia recently had the courage to say that colonization
has been of benefit to her people so why did colonization not also benefit this country.
Gerry Eckhoff is a former MP and councillor
on the Otago Regional Council.
6 comments:
Colonisation did and has been of benefit in this country.
The problem posed of course is if it was to be exposed as beneficial then the potential revenue streams from which victimhood derives would cease to exist.
The Maori people went from living under the subservience of unelected chiefs who decided how they lived, when they were in peace, when they were at war and who lived and who died to having the same rights as British citizens with the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.
That many Maori abandon New Zealand to the Gold Coast of Australia to escape the controlling influence of Maori leaders in their homeland speaks volumes as to the importance of individual freedoms. Co-governance is a backwards step for all the peoples of New Zealand.
A definite Maori elite, Sir Apirana Ngata (1874-1950 )said "Let me acknowledge first, in the whole world I doubt whether any native race has been so well treated by a European people as the Maori".
I believe the professor has formed his view of racist inequity here in NZ not from careful analysis of NZ history but a Marxist theoretical perspective which probably draws on descriptions of colonisation by other non-English Europeans, or English colonisation many centuries before NZ was colonised.
In about 1950, unfortunately, N Z adopted a very socialist based education ideology to replace traditional liberal education. My thesis is this introduced destructive progressive education which incidentally was praised by the Bolsheviks, gradually over decades has produced the catastrophic failure we have now in the basics. While the methods and values of traditional education were still retained we had a world class education but as progressive education
gained ground our standards deteriorated.
This education decline was most harmful to low SES children and this is how Maori were largely disadvantaged and the inequity occurred. Social mobility was prevented from happening. For example a very strong emphasis on the basics was the main tenet of traditional education but certainly not progressive education.
In conclusion I would state a strongly Marxist based socialist education ideology in NZ is the cause of inequity not original colonisation.
Yes, “our people”, or more correctly “Maori” to these purported ‘intellectual’ protagonists who eternally espouse victimhood, always refer to this amorphous cohort (that have had all the ills of society and life visit upon them) and which invariably is always put down to colonisation, yet never identify who and how precisely?
Conveniently, the likes of those you mention, along with the Apirana Ngata’s, Maui Pomare’s, Ross Ihaka’s, Simon Bridge’s, Winston Peter’s, Cindy Kiro’s, Paula Bennett’s, David Seymour’s, Karen Chhour’s, Willie Jackson’s, Buck Shelford’s, Lisa Carrington’s and even ‘Underpants’ Morgan - amongst a vast number of others, despite their ancestry, all seem to have done rather well in this ‘colonised’ world.
The Associate Professor might do better to turn his research on why these people have succeeded and those that, who shall remain nameless for his argument’s sake, have not? Even if he looks to himself, and the likes of his academic colleagues, Claire Charters and Jacinta Ruru, et al, he might be surprised to find it boils down to family cohesion and stability, appropriate role models, work and life ethics etc. But I suspect that, of course, wouldn’t assist the narrative he wishes to convey - nor his enjoyment of the baubles of (presumably tenured) office that arise purely by virtue of the colonised world he fortuitously lives in?
The term, hypocrite comes to mind, but I haven't actually seen what he wrote and perhaps an apology may be due? But, I do get the impression, probably not!
Associate Professor Enaru Eketone is actually suggesting Māori aristocrats should hold the highest offices of state by virtue of their birth. How can it be possible that Labour and the Greens are supporting the transfer of governance to a small, privileged ruling class?
Anonymous - Sept 22: 12.34 It is much worse in NZ than "Labour and Greens et el "supporting the transfer of governance to a small , privileged ruling class?"
It is the misfeasance of transfer by Courts and judges of the seabed, ocean ,rivers coastline, water, land, health and everything under He Pua Pua ie co governance .
It is compelling New Zealand to racism and division , stinking rotten apartheid . May they rot in hell.
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