Clive Bibby: Separatism by Stealth

As a nation, are we sleep walking to self destruction?

At a time when, relative to most other First World countries, our prospects for future prosperity appear guaranteed, why is it that we seem unable to recognise the obvious roadblocks that could derail our plans for a utopian existence.

Of course, history is littered with countries that have dared to dream but ended up becoming slaves in their own lands.

My point is that we are one of the few who have it within us not to make the same mistakes when it is our time for being held to account for or own misdeeds.

So, what is it that currently threatens all the good work and sacrifice of previous generations who built this multi cultural society that ranks at the top of list of enviable safe places to live and raise children.

I can think of a number that are staring us in the face but before doing so, I want to create a background to this vulnerability - the reasons why we have allowed it to happen and the likelihood of serious consequences should nothing be done to avert it.

In order to provide answers to those questions about our future, we must examine the history of missed opportunities mainly by governments of all persuasions.

That process should start with the period immediately following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi because it set the scene for peaceful coexistence between the Tangata Whenua (First People of the Land - Maori and Moriori) and the European immigrants.

And unlike most other international takeovers, this one was the result of peaceful negotiations rather than by way of military led invasion by a foreign country.

In fact, the troops sent by the Sovereign to the British Colony came at the request of the Paramount Maori Chiefs who feared for the survival of their own tribal affiliations threatened by lawless rogue tribes who were roaming virtually unchallenged across both Islands. They were supposed to be there as peacekeepers amongst all citizens rather than to ensure the continuation of colonial rule. And for a while it worked and the tribal killing was halted.

However, history shows that the total Maori population had fallen from approximately 100,000 to only 60,000 during the lawless period known as the “Musket Wars” that featured fighting only between Maori.

Following on from the Treaty signing, the rural sector was dominated by a period when huge chunks of Maori tribal lands were bought by the Crown at negotiated prices acceptable to Maori leadership and subsequently leased to pakeha run-holders.

Unfortunately, these relatively peaceful negotiations could not erase the feelings of betrayal that had built up due to the Crown’s often unlawful confiscation of Maori land from tribes that were innocent of some of the atrocities committed by the aforementioned rogue groups like Te Kooti during the “Maori Wars” that had followed the Treaty signing - mainly by groups violently opposed to the Waitangi agreement.

Since those times, regrettably, in spite of all the tribal settlements reached as compensation based on the recommendations of the Waitangi Tribunal and other Land Courts, this perceived injustice still exists and for many, it is like a sore that will not heal.

That brings me to my conclusion of where we are currently at as a nation and what must be done to avoid the consequences of this apathy.

Yes, l kid you not - in my humble opinion, we have arrived at a flashpoint where self-appointed Maori and Pakeha activist scholars, politicians and judges have abused what remains of the democratic system coupled with the appeasing and apathetic attitude of some members of our parliamentary leadership who are allowing this to happen.

Surely, it is time to say enough is enough.

Because in the region where I live which is one of the few in the country with a majority Maori population, the bulk of the citizens want nothing more than to use the same opportunities available to all Kiwis in pursuit of an environment that will provide everything necessary to sustain and benefit their own families.

For them, all this talk about multi-cultural governance is just idle chatter, because most of them are tied up just trying to make a living. Most of them are decent, hardworking Kiwis who see it as a low priority in their current survival mode.

Sadly, while this attitude is understandable, should it become commonplace throughout the country, there is a good chance that those clandestine operatives will expand their influence in a governing system, ironically designed specifically to protect our sovereignty .

If that happens, then by the time enough of us wake up, our future may have been stolen from in front of our own eyes.

We need to act now in order to save us from ourselves.

At the next general election, we should vote for those parties who recognise the threat for what it is and are promoting policies that will bring about the changes that are necessary to avoid a disaster l believe is a real possibility.

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