The Cook Islands, originally a New Zealand colony, became a self-governing
Pacific nation in “free association” with our country in 1965.
As part of the Realm of New Zealand, the Cook Islands along with Niue,
another self-governing state, and the Tokelau dependency not only relies on our
country for defence and most foreign affairs, but anyone born there qualifies
as a New Zealand citizen with the right to our passport.
As a result, most Cook Islanders live in New Zealand - only 18,000 live in
Rarotonga and the other 14 islands that make up the nation, with over 80,000
living here and 22,000 in Australia.
In 2001, New Zealand and the Cook Islands signed a joint declaration which
requires regular consultation on defence and security issues. That’s why news
of the imminent deal with China blindsided our Coalition, and why they believe
New Zealand should be involved in decision-making.
There’s widespread speculation that China’s motivation for forming stronger
links with the Cook Islands extends far beyond resource extraction. While
gaining access to fishing and seabed minerals is clearly a major factor,
there’s unease that their interests are much more strategic.
Whatever their intentions, our government is right to be concerned.
The reality is that money talks and with an unlimited capacity to buy
influence, a strategic alliance with a New Zealand Realm nation will
extend Chinese authority deep into our region.
But there’s another reason why this development should concern every New
Zealander - it could signal what’s in store for us if the Coalition fails to
defend Parliamentary sovereignty.
The problem is this: if the Coalition refuses to honour its election
pledge to amend the Marine and Coast Area Act to deliver what Parliament
intended instead of what activist judges have ruled, New Zealand’s coast will
end up in the hands of hundreds of tribal groups, who, at the stroke of a pen,
could sign lucrative deals with China to exploit the invaluable mineral wealth
in our seabed.
As the law stands right now, tribal interests are on the cusp of gaining
Customary Marine Title to our entire coastline. That will give them full
ownership of all non-nationalised minerals found in their area, such as cobalt,
nickel, copper, manganese, and rare earths.
These minerals are like gold to China. They need them to maintain their global
dominance in the manufacture of electronics and renewable energy
technologies.
If the Coalition does not change the law as
they intended to do before Christmas - when the Supreme Court rushed out their
highly controversial contrary judgement causing the Amendment Bill to be
delayed - as sure as night follows day, deals will be done and the Chinese will
end up extracting New Zealand’s mineral wealth, while tribal interests get rich
from royalties channelled through their tax-free charitable trusts.
Is this really what the Coalition wants for our country?
Because this is what will happen if they allow the judicial activists in
the Supreme Court to defeat their plan to change the law.
This week’s NZCPR Guest Commentator, Roger Partridge, the Chairman of the New
Zealand Initiative and a former Head of Bell Gully who strongly believes the
Coalition should put the Supreme Court in its place, outlines the background to
the case:
“Judicial activism should concern every New Zealander.
“A recent ruling about who controls our coastline suggests our highest court is
trying to reshape laws made by Parliament, rather than just apply them.
“What makes the Supreme Court’s judgment more troubling is its timing and
haste. The Court took just 17 days to issue its judgment after hearing complex
arguments from 19 parties.
“The timing was striking. The Court delivered its decision on the eve of
Parliament’s scheduled debate by taking the unusual step of splitting its
judgment in two. Rather than resolve the appeals between the parties before it,
the Court rushed out its interpretation of the customary title test, leaving
its decision on how the law should apply to the facts for later.
“This unusual approach suggests a Court more focused on influencing
Parliament’s debate than on resolving the case before it. It suggests a court
that sees itself more as a political player, than an impartial arbiter of
disputes.”
Roger Partridge has been leading the call for
the Coalition to rein in activist Courts and restore the supremacy of
Parliament. He believes it is imperative that the Supreme Court is re-focussed
on resolving disputes by applying the law as it is written, leaving lawmaking
to our democratically elected representatives.
We could not agree more.
This matter is a real test for the Coalition.
If the Government allows itself to be intimidated and surrenders to a Court
that is now openly promoting Maori supremacy - by withdrawing a Bill it promised
voters would restrict tribal claims to remote coastal areas instead of the
whole coast - that would signal the first stage in the collapse of
Parliamentary Sovereignty in New Zealand.
It would demonstrate to New Zealanders that the activists in the Supreme Court are
in charge of law-making in this country, instead of our democratically elected
Parliament.
Such a backdown by the Coalition would effectively be a nail in the coffin of
democracy in New Zealand.
When the Coalition first came to office, while they pledged to fix many of the
problems this country faced, all too often they have failed to follow through.
As a result, the army of activists embedded by the Ardern administration in
institutions throughout the public sector are taking advantage of this lack of
oversight by snubbing Coalition directives.
Furthermore, for many voters, it’s not just the incompetence of the former
Labour Government that’s causing them major concerns, but more the fact that
they undermined democracy by empowering tribal leaders to co-govern New
Zealand. By giving them the power of veto - without seeking any mandate
whatsoever from voters - Labour effectively orchestrated a tribal takeover and
apartheid.
And, while the Coalition has attempted to reverse some of those changes, many
others remain resolutely in place.
Meanwhile, instead of reaffirming the Coalition’s commitment to end race-based
rights, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has been promising those same tribal
leaders who have been undermining our democracy, even more power and control!
Has the PM been ‘captured’ – convinced by the elite of Maoridom, to support
their He Puapua plan for tribal control by 2040?
Here are some extracts of a speech he gave to
Ngai Tahu on Waitangi Day:
The Treaty is central to the history of New Zealand, and it is
central to our future.
The Government's role is to honour the Treaty, work in partnership with
Māori, and ensure that the country continues in a spirit of
Kotahitanga.
When Ngāi Tahu signed the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, there was hope
for partnership and protection.
Today, Ngāi Tahu is a tremendous force in New Zealand's economy.
Ngāi Tahu's values and aspirations resonate with those of my government…
Economic growth is the key to all of us getting ahead.
Many Iwi recognise that too – that's why we have more than 20 Iwi-led or
partnered projects on our Fast Track List, and we are partnering with
iwi and Māori to build infrastructure around the regions.
We have partnered with Māori health organisations.
We are investing in social housing with Māori.
National Governments have always worked constructively and productively with
Māori on Treaty issues while ensuring equal citizenship and equal opportunity
for all New Zealanders.
That will continue under my government…
Today is a time to think about the New Zealand we want in 2040 - when we
celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Treaty.
The Crown-Māori relationship will continue to be strong and built on respect
and collaboration.
Iwi leaders and communities will continue to shape the political landscape with
constructive partnerships that hold the Government accountable and work for the
benefit of all.
By 2040, we will have fully embraced the idea that all of New Zealand benefits
when iwi succeeds…
In his speech, the Prime Minister highlighted the progress of Ngai Tahu – but is he not concerned that this $2-billion business development corporation pays no tax?
He talks about the success of iwi, but none of these mega-rich tribal
conglomerates pay any tax. They certainly do not contribute their ‘fair share’
towards the running of the country. That makes the PM’s claims that “all of New
Zealand benefits when iwi succeeds”, disingenuous.
Christopher Luxon also says, “Ngāi Tahu's values and aspirations resonate
with those of my government”.
Is this the real reason the Marine and Coastal Area Act amendment has not
been passed into law? Has he been persuaded by tribal leaders that the proposed
law change may dash their ambition to gain title to the whole of our coastline
and Territorial Sea?
If that were the case, then our country would indeed be in an extremely
precarious position and every New Zealander should be very worried about our
future as a free and democratic society.
On the face of it, judging by the PM’s Waitangi Day speech and other comments
he’s made, National’s leader appears blind to the public’s concerns about the
threat that He Puapua and tribal control poses to our country and our
way of life.
If that speculation is the reality, then he is the wrong person to be leading
our country.
It’s as simple as that.
He needs to let us know where he stands on this crucial issue, because at the
present time, he appears to be empowering Labour’s vision, instead of
condemning it.
Right now, with the very real threat that the Chinese will move into Cook
Island waters to begin extracting their mineral wealth, Prime Minister Luxon
needs to take urgent action to ensure our own coastal waters are protected from
tribal exploitation and a potential sell-out to the Chinese.
The Marine and Coastal Area (Customary Marine Title) Amendment Bill
should be brought back to the top of the Order Paper without delay and passed
into law - but with an important change.
Through its decision to rush out that highly political judgement to prevent the
Government from changing the law, the Supreme Court has demonstrated that it
cannot be trusted to interpret this law as Parliament intended. Accordingly,
the Bill should be adjusted to annul the Supreme Court’s judgment interpreting
the Marine and Coastal Area Act, in the same way that all other Court
judgements – including those of the High Court and the Court of Appeal – are
being overturned.
When National, ACT and New Zealand First announced they had formed a Government
just after the 2023 election, they promised they would uphold democracy,
equality, Parliamentary Sovereignty, and the Rule of Law.
They said they would end race-based rights and He Puapua.
A majority of New Zealand voters were very relieved and extremely grateful to
at last have a government that recognised their concerns and was committed to
making the necessary changes.
The point is that race is a sleeper issue in New Zealand. Like a cancer,
it eats away at society creating deep and ugly divisions.
But while it is of crucial importance to voters, they tend to keep their views
close to their chest.
It’s the Coalition’s failure to follow through on many of those essential
changes they promised at the election, that’s causing voter disillusionment and
their slide in the polls.
And a key part of the problem is the public’s perception of the Prime Minister.
He is increasingly regarded as being too weak and too woke.
We expect him to lead the way, clearly and decisively, instead of delivering
speeches that make us wonder whether he actually supports tribal control
instead of being determined to uphold his election promise to eliminate it and
heal the country.
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11 comments:
In the media yesterday that private tourism companies who have invested heavily in Milford Sound may not have their lease renewed by DOC in 2028 with Ngai Tahu touted as taking over the management of tourism ventures in the area.
This is the same Ngai Tahu that burnt the South Island to the ground. That claim they cherish the place. They will have it sold off to the Chinese as soon as we hand it over.
Well said Muriel, you have a finger on the pulse of the country.
And then there, as a headline, in yesterday's, The Post: "Maori tourism 'formidable' force in economic growth." The article then goes on to mention how Maori tourism businesses accounted for $1.2B of production GDP in 2023 according to BERL. Of course, no mention of how much tax they paid and how difficult (not) it must be for Maori businesses to compete against those that have to pay their full share.
You are right, Dr Newman, we need to be extremely concerned and just like with the fishing rights, Maori will sell/outsource the mining of the nation's seabed resources to the Chinese in a heartbeat. Two things will then become immediately apparent if that transpires - Maori elites will have again shown their historic level of respect for the environment when it comes to their own personal gain, and the real fun and games (aka, war) over "mutual exclusivity" will begin. Let's hope that good sense prevails and the opportunity never arises, which means that the foreshore and seabed needs to remain for the benefit of ALL New Zealanders. It also means, as you've again rightly identified, our current PM is not the leader who will ensure this will happen and, hence, he needs to be gone.
Yeah, I can see Maori selling off these immorally acquired assets to the Chinese, and when they try and re-interpret the terms of their agreement, that the Chinese will not roll over like Luxon and co , but take forceful action.
Luxon grow a spine.
NZ has a pulse? You could have fooled me, if it does indeed have one, it in bradycardia territory:
Definition: A slow heart rate, below 60 bpm.
Symptoms: Dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, fainting.
Oh, hang on maybe that is just me when I look at what National under Luxon are doing to NZ - aka a slow death.
So, it’s the CCP behind the Corporate (Govt/Iwi) Apartheid Agenda. No doubt our corporate "sell outs" are now learning mandarin.
New Zealanders should be more concerned about the gene technology bill and the sections about mandated medicine and emergency use authorisations that bypass local legislators than what China is doing in the Cook Islands.
Yup, China vis a vis the CCP " came visiting The Cooks Islands, with cheque book in hand and promoted Belt & Road ", where by the CCP get access to a sea port - which will be most commonly used by the CCP Navy. A deal I am sure that if Labour had retained the Treasury Benches, last NZ GE - I put " money on the bar " that dear Nanaia Mahuta, continuing as Min Of Foreign Affairs, would have done the same " deal ", which - may have - seen the harbour at Russell become a Base for the CCP Navy - for which our Navy, would have been dismantled.
I can see our relationship with the USof A ' now repeating the David Lange Act ', of putting -
1. our relationship at further risk and demise,
2. Trade deals in the " simmering pot ", which could lead to those " horrid Trump tariffs "
3. - our Military in similar spot, that David Lange successfully achieved.
I hear that this same ‘NyeTahoo’ are now challenging the NZ government re control of Sth Island water - this was predicted. It seems we’ve arrived at the crossroads…which group will sell their soul to the Devil?
Ngai Tahu is to be renamed Ngai Trump Hu. Just as Trump want’s to claim Greenland, Canada and Panama our dearest Ngai Trump Hu friends are claiming the South Island in its entirety. Do away with all Local Governance – not required. Should we wish for the earliest possible catastrophic movement of the Alpine Fault? That would shatter all of Ngai Trump Hu’s dreams.
Certainly the current nonsense we are receiving from National is nothing like what was expected from the coalition. I have scanned through Luxon’s Waitangi day speech. It is riddled with tired old tag lines and slogans. But I did pick up on a few worrisome items which seem to say National is all in on Labour’s grand plan He Puapua.
Two quotes re 2040:
“Today is a time to think about the New Zealand we want in 2040 - when today's kids become adults, and we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Treaty.”
“By 2040, we will have fully embraced the idea that all of New Zealand benefits when iwi succeeds.”
Another quote which to me means offering carte blanche, a blank cheque and a free ride, to Maori:
“Often that means making sure the government gets out of the way!”
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