Geoff Parker: Josie Pagani's Maori Ward & General Propaganda

In her disjointed article Josie Pagani promotes the dark forces that strive to undermine New Zealand’s precious democracy.

In my view Pagani pins her argument for Maori wards or ‘power-sharing’ on the Treaty of Waitangi, but the fact is that there is nothing in the Treaty (any version or translation) that speaks of separate racial representation in governing bodies.

The Treaty was a simple 3 clause document which simply said:

Roger Childs: Sorry Ned, wrong Treaty!

A masterful exegesis … the quality of Dr Fletcher’s research and the power of his reasoning demands attention and respect. There will be those who differ; as I have said, contestation is the Treaty’s only consistent companion. –The Hon. Justice Sir Joe Williams (Former Supreme Court legal colleague of Ned’s Mum Sian Elias)

Confession is good for the soul

I must confess from the start that I haven’t waded my way all through Ned Fletcher’s massive “door stop” volume – 736 pages – which should keep your back gate open in a wind. However, I have had a brief browse through The English Text of the Treaty of Waitangi which a book club friend brought along to our meeting last month. Furthermore I have read several reviews and carefully taken in his lengthy comments made to Connie Buchanan “made possible by the Public Interest Journalism Fund”.

Unfortunately Fletcher has largely wasted his time because he was focusing on the fake Freeman Treaty.