Allowing for the fact that there are two versions of the Treaty, which in itself is a problem, the articles are quite specific but the principles aren’t. In fact the principles in the 1975 Act could be considered anything from vague to all encompassing and this is how the mess we are now in came about. The principles are a means for interpretation of the articles.
This opens up a can of worms because there can be as many interpretations as you wish and they can be constructed in a way to suit any particular narrative. I believe this is the problem David Seymour recognised and what his Treaty Principles Bill was trying to solve. The fact it got no further than the select committee means the mess remains. This is unacceptable to the majority of people on the political right.
It means the practice whereby the Treaty can spread its tentacles into vital areas of government responsibility, such as health and education, remains. It is a fallacy to suggest there needs to be any reference to the Treaty in relation to these and other aspects of everyday life. This is merely an interpretation of the Treaty and these references, as they apply to education for example, can be removed.
Just recently we learnt that IKEA has to consult with mana whenua on a myriad of things that should have nothing to do with them. Once again we have the spectacle of Māori throwing their weight around to try and give the appearance that they’re in charge and people are beholden to them. This is a joke and they need to be given their marching orders using terminology I won’t write here.
This Government was elected partly because we were told that the emphasis was to be legislating for this country to be governed on the basis of one people and one law for all. To give them some credit, they have disestablished the Maori Health Authority and English names have taken precedence in some government agencies but by and large not much else has changed.
The Waitangi Tribunal, which facilitates a lot of this nonsense, is carrying on its merry way. It should be done away with. They now have their own agenda which is way beyond the original scope of their powers. Their primary purpose, advising on land issues, is now virtually at an end. No doubt, this is why they have taken it upon themselves to extend their powers as an excuse to continue their supposed relevance.
Recent moves by Erica Stanford in her education review to introduce te reo into every aspect of the education process is deeply disturbing. Those who see this for what it is she labelled ‘race haters’ when talking to Mike Hosking. She might be better placed in the Labour Party or the Māori Party. Yet another example of the principles being used in a way that suits the narrative.
Her idea that the use of te reo in schools will lift Māori students to the level of their counterparts is arrant nonsense. As Professor Elizabeth Rata of Auckland University said, when talking to Michael Laws on The Platform, there is no evidence anywhere to back up Stanford’s claim. According to Professor Rata the most likely outcome is a reduction in the attainment level of all students. Stanford has also disregarded the agreement between National and NZ First that all references to Māori in education are to be removed.
This sort of stupidity will not be solved until the principles are tightened up. We cannot have numerous interpretations of the articles of the Treaty: this is precisely what has created the mess we find ourselves in. Until this is addressed – a fact to which Christopher Luxon needs wake up – the divisiveness, hatred and racism will continue.
This does not come from opponents of Stanford’s idiotic strategy but from those she is mistakenly cuddling up to. She would be well advised to have a rethink as would the rest of the National Party. They are completely on the wrong track and the only thing that will save them at the ballot box will be the fact that the alternative is even worse.
JC is a right-wing crusader. Reached an age that embodies the dictum only the good die young. This article was first published HERE
This opens up a can of worms because there can be as many interpretations as you wish and they can be constructed in a way to suit any particular narrative. I believe this is the problem David Seymour recognised and what his Treaty Principles Bill was trying to solve. The fact it got no further than the select committee means the mess remains. This is unacceptable to the majority of people on the political right.
It means the practice whereby the Treaty can spread its tentacles into vital areas of government responsibility, such as health and education, remains. It is a fallacy to suggest there needs to be any reference to the Treaty in relation to these and other aspects of everyday life. This is merely an interpretation of the Treaty and these references, as they apply to education for example, can be removed.
Just recently we learnt that IKEA has to consult with mana whenua on a myriad of things that should have nothing to do with them. Once again we have the spectacle of Māori throwing their weight around to try and give the appearance that they’re in charge and people are beholden to them. This is a joke and they need to be given their marching orders using terminology I won’t write here.
This Government was elected partly because we were told that the emphasis was to be legislating for this country to be governed on the basis of one people and one law for all. To give them some credit, they have disestablished the Maori Health Authority and English names have taken precedence in some government agencies but by and large not much else has changed.
The Waitangi Tribunal, which facilitates a lot of this nonsense, is carrying on its merry way. It should be done away with. They now have their own agenda which is way beyond the original scope of their powers. Their primary purpose, advising on land issues, is now virtually at an end. No doubt, this is why they have taken it upon themselves to extend their powers as an excuse to continue their supposed relevance.
Recent moves by Erica Stanford in her education review to introduce te reo into every aspect of the education process is deeply disturbing. Those who see this for what it is she labelled ‘race haters’ when talking to Mike Hosking. She might be better placed in the Labour Party or the Māori Party. Yet another example of the principles being used in a way that suits the narrative.
Her idea that the use of te reo in schools will lift Māori students to the level of their counterparts is arrant nonsense. As Professor Elizabeth Rata of Auckland University said, when talking to Michael Laws on The Platform, there is no evidence anywhere to back up Stanford’s claim. According to Professor Rata the most likely outcome is a reduction in the attainment level of all students. Stanford has also disregarded the agreement between National and NZ First that all references to Māori in education are to be removed.
This sort of stupidity will not be solved until the principles are tightened up. We cannot have numerous interpretations of the articles of the Treaty: this is precisely what has created the mess we find ourselves in. Until this is addressed – a fact to which Christopher Luxon needs wake up – the divisiveness, hatred and racism will continue.
This does not come from opponents of Stanford’s idiotic strategy but from those she is mistakenly cuddling up to. She would be well advised to have a rethink as would the rest of the National Party. They are completely on the wrong track and the only thing that will save them at the ballot box will be the fact that the alternative is even worse.
JC is a right-wing crusader. Reached an age that embodies the dictum only the good die young. This article was first published HERE
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