Clive Bibby: The way ahead for Maori

Given my 45 year involvement as a community worker here on the East Coast, I can claim to know a reasonable amount about Maori beliefs, aspirations and day to day concerns.

Unsurprisingly, the things that matter most to them are much the same as the values held by the average Kiwi - albeit there are a few marked diffences when it comes to things like land ownership and spirituality.

For example, it is noticeable that many of the claims lodged at the Waitangi Tribunal hearings seeking the return of or compensation for ancestral land confiscated by the Crown are based on their spiritual value to Maori as opposed to or not necessarily the economic value.placed on them by Pakeha.

In my dealings with Maori at all levels on the social ladder, I have found no evidence, apart from the rants coming from the radical political element, that the average mature man or woman wants anything more than an equal opportunity to reach their potential in a chosen field while at the same time, feed, clothe and house their families.

In the same way as the Nation’s resources are owned and shared by all citizens who legally live in this country, the responsibility for welfare and education are those of the State alone.

Herein lies the dichotomy that underpins the conflicts that emerge between the different classes within modern society - between the “haves” and the “have nots” - and unfortunately, this problem of access to the nation’s resources has been turned into a battle based on different interpretations of our founding document - the Treaty of Waitangi.

Some would say that ownership of land or other natural resources like seafood or fresh water should be based only on Tangata whenua status and title should be based on the timing of settlement. or the date of arrival as immigrants but the truth is - this dispute is the one thing holding us back and we will not progress in any form as long as we allow this political “sea anchor” to determine our future.

Given that no country on this earth has developed a fair system based on historical occupancy, one would expect that the best way forward for all people is to do the best with what we have.

Sadly, history suggests that utopian objective has been too often subjected to the less attractive side of human nature and we repeatedly allow those with selfish intent to overcome the innocent.

Thankfully, we live in one of the few countries that have adopted a system where past grievances can and have been settled without resorting to rioting, loss of life and damage to property.

Instead it is possible for all people, irrespective of race, creed or position on the social ladder to achieve their aspirational goals without resorting to violence but that relatively harmonious environment will only be sustainable if everybody respects the laws under which we are governed.

And if my assessment of modern society is correct, the only people capable of derailing the achievement of that objective are the “so called” leaders of the different races who make up our multi-cultural society.

Unfortunately, the introduction of Maori Wards to our local authority voting system is an unnecessary undemocratic impediment to achieving that objective.

And while this issue remains one championed primarily by radical Maori and their fawning pakeha supporters, it is an issue that must be dealt with asap before it destroys our ability to work together solving problems that affect us all.

In saying that I deliberately refer to people who have obtained a political status undemocratically - ie. People who occupy seats at Council tables that are appointments only but have the same voting weight as those elected at the ballot box. Let’s hope the referendum this month will return our voting system to one that has credibility.

In the meantime, I am confident that Maoridom has the ability to sort out its own house and by so doing, reestablish itself as a vital part of the governing process that will see them benefit from decisions made that are in the best interests of all its people.

There is no question in my mind about the availability of quality Maori leadership from existing ranks.

The extraordinary growth of the Maori economy is a fitting example, if ever one was needed, of the current leadership’s ability to use their Treaty settlement money in a most responsible way.

Making the right decisions at board room level is something based on genetically inherent qualities that have their roots in ancestral achievements of forebears.

You only have to read about Maori contributions on the battlefields of history (which sorts the men from the boys) to understand why this race is and always will be, a mix of achievers.

And we should not underestimate the “real leaders” within Maoridom’s ability to make the right choices that only they can make.

It should be over to them.

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