Clive Bibby: Prosperity for Maori not dependant on false interpretation of Treaty

I have lived and worked amongst some of the lowest decile Maori dominated communities in the country for the last 44 years and the message I am getting from my friends and work colleagues is that the only real barrier to future success is poor decisions made on their behalf by their own leadership. Before the Maori radicals rush to paint me as a racist and try to associate me with leadership failings that have stifled real opportunities for growth, let me tell you about the harm being done to Maoridom’s cause throughout the country simply because of infighting at the top. 

In many ways and on numerous occasions, well-made economic development plans have stalled simply because of, what can only be described as factional tribal, squabbles over who has the mandate to represent the people during discussions with business partners willing to stump up the cash. 

Because of my own frustration, I have chosen to expose this real problem that is often overlooked when the radical leaders are looking for someone to blame for a lack of progress.
Most readers will be unaware that the asset base for the Maori Economy is approaching $100 billion in real value. That is a lot of bankable funds that could be used to make the Maori people one of the most affluent indigenous tribes in the South Pacific. 

And don’t take my word for it. Here are the facts. 

Evidence suggests those Iwi groups that have successfully used their own financial resources to back their own management decisions are showing what can be done - Ngai Tahu being the best example although that Iwi has the advantage of controlling virtually all the natural resources in the whole of the South Island while its tribal shareholders are numerically much less than the bigger North Island tribes. 

In the end, it all comes down to what does leadership mean for those elected to positions of power. Unfortunately, for too many of the elite, progress can only happen if it is on their terms and that usually means total control. 

Sadly in this day and age, the cost of development is so high that partnerships and even a minority shareholding may be the only way these large projects get off the ground. 

Meanwhile, right throughout the North Island, factional infighting has cost individual Iwi opportunities to progress and prosper had it not been for those who think they have a moral duty to oppose the Government or other potential partners at every turn. 

I have watched frustrated as projects that have been well researched and have the Government financial backing either being stalled within striking distance of completion or put on hold because some politically influential minority group wants, for their own selfish reasons, to stop it happening. 

As a result, opportunities for viable investment of their Treaty settlement monies goes begging.
And it is always the Pakeha’s fault. Well if that is the way they want it, reality is about to treat them a very hard lesson. 

The last minute dash to lodge a series of complaints against the Government with the Waitangi Tribunal is bound to achieve little because it is based on a false interpretation of what the “principals” of the Treaty have to say about Maori ownership and governance of the Nation’s natural resources. 

Given that there is no mention of “principals” in the Treaty document, claims that their interpretation of a non existent clause should determine the outcome of current governance issues is just wasting time. 

And what is more, the local Maori people back in the provinces watch frustrated as their representatives destroy opportunities for a multi cultural approach that is the only way these major issues can be settled. 

It beggars belief that otherwise talented people with huge responsibilities could be so dumb.
But change will only happen when the grassroots decide enough is enough.
Time’s up. We must and can do better.

Clive Bibby is a commentator, consultant, farmer and community leader, who lives in Tolaga Bay.