Clive Bibby: “The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of many things…”

My ability to quote famous poetry usually amounts to only one line of a piece that has retained relevance for mankind over time. I wish it were better than that.

For this column l have chosen Lewis Carroll’s brilliant poem about “The Walrus and the Carpenter”.

I like to choose verse that has something in it for every human being - with particular reference to things that should matter to them individually and as members of a group with common interest.

And I want to take advantage of the opening line of this verse which identifies topics of conversation related to the big problems facing the modern world - those that are this generation’s responsibility to solve - remember it opens by saying “The time has come …..!”

I use that line to emphasise that this discussion can’t wait - it is already long overdue with the fate of the whole world hanging on our ability to forget our differences in one last attempt to save us from ourselves.

Let’s look at the facts:

Here in New Zealand we are currently involved in a debate that includes radical Maori separatist groups that are engaged in a war between the state and those who want to divide this country based on a self determined racial sense of entitlement

And unless we find a way to eliminate their false claims from the discussion about a way forward, their parochial message has the capacity to destroy all the progress we have made since the signing of the treaty in 1840.

Which brings us back to the following part of Carrol’s immortal line - “…to talk of many things…”

In other words, the best chance for an enduring peaceful coexistence between factions with different views about sovereignty within our society is if our differences can be solved through dialogue. But the discussion must be based on a process that leads to a final settlement without the “Clayton” clause that allows for endless “top ups.”

I am of course talking about the racially based issues that remain unresolved despite the efforts to address them by many of those with the ability, willingness and responsibility to do so.

The irony here is that this issue should not be just about racial harmony.

And it should not just be about one group of privileged activist Maori who claim to speak on behalf of every man and woman who has chosen to vote on the Maori roll.

My experience living and working amongst low decile Maori communities (for nearly 46 years) where whakapapa and a proud heritage are the hallmarks of society, suggests these political activists are not representative of local aspirational goals and should not continue claiming that they are.

Yet, the response from the remaining Maori Party MPs (those who have not defected to other more tolerant groups) to the 2026 Budget could only be described as delusional.

My guess is that Dame Tariana Turia would be turning in her grave thinking all her reconciliatory achievements through peaceful dialogue have been followed by such a destructive mob of “no names”.

My point is that the time bomb facing the world in the Middle East has its counterpart in this country and the only peaceful method available to those who genuinely want to resolve the issues are through dialogue in an atmosphere where each negotiating party has equal status and any agreed settlement will be full and final.

So far that method successfully used in NZ, has resulted in all but one of the large Iwi groups settling on terms that are considered fair and reasonable and based on current asset values.

As a result the asset value of the Maori economy has grown to be worth approximately $126 billion.

Obviously these figures suggest there are some pretty capable Maori businesspeople out there who are responsible for growing the asset value of settlement property to those impressive levels. And those results put to bed any suggestion that Maori have been disadvantaged by the settlement process - hence no apparent need for Maori Wards in Local Government or at least ones with equal voting rights to those elected on the general role.

I’m not sure what Lewis Carroll meant when he encouraged us to talk more openly and respectfully to one another but he could have looked no further than modern day New Zealand as an example of what is possible when peoples of different race or religion use respectful dialogue rather than threats of division to solve the centuries old disputes.

Just a pity that we allow the worst of these disruptive minority groups with an exaggerated sense of entitlement to have a greater say in the nation’s business than their voting numbers represent.

Thankfully the recent move by Government to introduce legislation that removes the equal voting rights from unelected groups attached to local authorities as advisors is a good first step to ensuring our future is determined only by those who are legally representative of the voters who put them there.

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