Clive Bibby: Highjacked by those who don't live here

When the history of New Zealand is upgraded to include the last 50 years, scribes who feel a responsibility to report the truth should have no difficulty identifying those who tried to destroy the relatively harmonious race relationships established during the 19th century.

Contrary to the false propaganda being promoted by TePati Maori and the radical idealogues on the Waitangi Tribunal supported by those who joined the Hikoi to Parliament, race relationships in this Country continues to be in pretty good shape.

I say that as a Pakeha who has spent the majority of my working life living and working in low decile communities dominated by people who identify as Maori.

Given the vitriol shouted by the ,

leaders of the protest movement, one would assume that they represent a majority view of what this fuss is all about - an attempt by Right wing politicians (Act and NZ First) to legislate away Tangata Whenua birthright.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact David Seymour's bill is actually designed to establish once and for all an accurate interpretation of what the Waitangi Treaty clauses were intended to convey - especially in the eyes of those who signed it- Paramount chiefs representing a majority of the then Maori population and the English Chief Representative on behalf of the British Crown.

Unfortunately, the radical element claiming to represent modern Maori are hell bent on misrepresenting those original intentions, basing their argument on introduced "ìprinciples of the treaty" that never were a part of the original document - instead purely a politically inspired construct that has no basis in fact and just a radical interpretation of what modern separatists would like it to mean.

Fortunately for those of us who live at the coalface where most of the producers of real wealth live and peacefully coexist, these protests are a temporary hick-up that will collapse under its own weight once everybody else gets back to work., 

Let's hope so!

Whatever, l can assure the rest of the Country that the reason for my confidence is based on what l have gleaned from 45 years enjoying being part of a community that truly represents the national character.

My conversations with local Maori convinces me that their aspirations are almost identical to our own. 

They recognize that in a society offering equal opportunities for all (actually some would say affirmative action policies benefit low decile communities at the expense of others but are accepted as important in order to address any imbalance where it occurs) the responsibility for taking advantage of those opportunities rests with them alone.

So, my New Years resolution is for all of us to take a step back and acknowledge how lucky we are to live in a country that, for the most part treats everybody the same.

Inherited privilege is no longer a factor in determining who gets what. 

Generally speaking achievement is based solely on hard work and a commitment to those who can't do it for themselves.

That sounds like a truly egalitarian society to me and if we achieve it, we will be the first to do so. Everybody else is light years behind.

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