NZCPR Newsletter: Hiding in Plain Sight - the Real Agenda

Last week, Waatea News talkback host John Tamihere interviewed the Chairman of the Waikato-based Tainui iwi, former MP Tuku Morgan, about the future of freshwater.

It was clear from their on-air ‘chat’, that as far as iwi leaders are concerned, Labour’s Three Waters reforms are just a stepping-stone towards Maori ‘ownership’ of freshwater.

John Tamihere: “We own the water.”

Stuart Smith: Mana Whenua Rising to Power

Over the last few years, we have seen a series of policies creep in which seek to establish co-governance roles for iwi organisations, and just when you think you had heard it all Nanaia Mahuta releases the ‘Future for Local Government Report’ (FFLGR), which takes it to another level.

So then, what is the future for local government? In short, the dissolution of the principle of one person one vote: a world where locally elected representative roles in decision making will be much reduced, with mana whenua appointments taking decision making power away from the people.

Clive Bibby: The casualties of freedom

Apart from the thrilling last session of the Third Ashes Test (and that only because of my son’s ability to connect his iPad reception to our holiday batch TV screen), l watched no television of any kind during the Christmas break.

I must say it was as enjoyable and therapeutic as the few days away from the pressures of normal life under Covid, enabling a brief respite from the worry watching our beloved homeland descend into an unrecognisable autocracy that is not of our choosing.

I guess we have only ourselves to blame.