Post by Kiwi Frontline on Oct 2, 2016 5:23:46 GMT 12
Dear Editor, (Sent to the Bay of Plenty Times 26/9/16)
The local body elections are the event of the moment and the important issue for me on the BOP Regional Council is the freshwater issue.
Two years ago, Maori demanded that the government give control of the country's freshwater to them - within a year.
The government have handed over the decision to regional councils and unitary authorities.
The tribes want, amongst other demands, a guaranteed free allocation and infrastructure of freshwater to all marae and marae housing, and a $1 billion fund of public money to allow their capacity to implement management and control.
I have asked each candidate standing for the Regional Council for their stance on this issue and have now chosen my candidates from those who will stand against this race-based hi-jack.
The definition of democracy is that we are all treated equally regarding race, gender and religion.
We should all simply be Kiwis with the same rights and the subject of water allocation should not even see the light of day.
R B
Tauranga
Dear Editor, (Sent to the Dominion Post 19/9/16)
Maori academic Moana Jackson would like the truth to be presented when commemorating the 19th century wars.
I agree with him - but who will check that those who present this history, do so truthfully?
The Battle of Rangiowhia in 1864 is just one incident of re-written history featured in a recent blog for a Waikato tribe.
It mischievously states that "a massacre of innocents took place when Maori took refuge from the fighting in St Paul's Church. This was surrounded by British troops who set the church alight and 144 people, mostly women and children, were burned alive."
The church is still standing and it is very possible that the blogger has also been misled by this deliberately wilful propaganda.
Maori, loyal to the government, should also be honoured for their assistance in defeating the Kingitanga rebels, being pivotal in bringing a swifter end to the war in the Waikato.
Also the many thousands of Maori who perished in the inter-tribal slaughter of the Musket Wars.
There are multiple layers to the proposed commemoration to acknowledge the uprisings that took place in the shaping of our country.
R B
Tauranga
The local body elections are the event of the moment and the important issue for me on the BOP Regional Council is the freshwater issue.
Two years ago, Maori demanded that the government give control of the country's freshwater to them - within a year.
The government have handed over the decision to regional councils and unitary authorities.
The tribes want, amongst other demands, a guaranteed free allocation and infrastructure of freshwater to all marae and marae housing, and a $1 billion fund of public money to allow their capacity to implement management and control.
I have asked each candidate standing for the Regional Council for their stance on this issue and have now chosen my candidates from those who will stand against this race-based hi-jack.
The definition of democracy is that we are all treated equally regarding race, gender and religion.
We should all simply be Kiwis with the same rights and the subject of water allocation should not even see the light of day.
R B
Tauranga
Dear Editor, (Sent to the Dominion Post 19/9/16)
Maori academic Moana Jackson would like the truth to be presented when commemorating the 19th century wars.
I agree with him - but who will check that those who present this history, do so truthfully?
The Battle of Rangiowhia in 1864 is just one incident of re-written history featured in a recent blog for a Waikato tribe.
It mischievously states that "a massacre of innocents took place when Maori took refuge from the fighting in St Paul's Church. This was surrounded by British troops who set the church alight and 144 people, mostly women and children, were burned alive."
The church is still standing and it is very possible that the blogger has also been misled by this deliberately wilful propaganda.
Maori, loyal to the government, should also be honoured for their assistance in defeating the Kingitanga rebels, being pivotal in bringing a swifter end to the war in the Waikato.
Also the many thousands of Maori who perished in the inter-tribal slaughter of the Musket Wars.
There are multiple layers to the proposed commemoration to acknowledge the uprisings that took place in the shaping of our country.
R B
Tauranga