Post by Kiwi Frontline on Nov 4, 2016 5:02:28 GMT 12
Dominion Post 4/11/16
RIGHT TO REMEMBER
Your editorial Lest we forget the NZ Wars (November 3) rightly commends having a day to remember the wars in our own country.
Such a commemoration would ensure New Zealanders get an accurate picture of what actually happened: that more Maori fought on the side of the Crown than against it; that there were atrocities on both sides with the worst being those of Te Kooti; that most of the country, including the whole of the South Island, was largely unaffected; and that, despite widespread land alienation, there were ultimately a large number of positive outcomes for Maori.
As part of the October 28 commemorations we should also remember the conflict that killed more New Zealanders than all later wars here and overseas. In hundreds of Musket War battles from 1807 to 1845, possibly 30,000 Maori were killed or wounded. Thousands of innocent men, women and children were slaughtered and sometimes eaten, and hundreds of others were enslaved. And, large areas of land were confiscated by victorious iwi.
Our history does not just begin in 1840, and students, especially, need to learn about all our devastating wars. Furthermore, teachers have a responsibility to ensure they get a balanced coverage.
R C
Raumati Beach
CONSULT OTHERS
Your editorial supporting commemorating the NZ Wars is concerning. Minister Te Ururoa Flavell said iwi have decided October 28 as the commemoration date, being the day in 1835 the Declaration of Independence of New Zealand was signed.
This date seems to have little significance to the wars and more to gaining constitutional leverage.
The Government should be asked why the demanded "Land Wars" commemoration is only, it seems, being discussed with and by iwi.
Of the approximately 3000 who died in these wars, some 1000 were British soldiers and militia.
It seems their descendants are not being consulted. My forebears arrived in 1841 and some lost their lives in the Waikato and Taranaki wars. No one has approached me or my family.
Flavell said he had secured $4 million to support the commemorations. I have the unease this money will be used only by iwi for history revision and so to weave a new korowai of victimhood to improve their ideological interests and financial position.
If the wider public, and particularly the descendants of early settlers, are not involved and their views included, then these so-called commemorations will. like Waitangi Day, become another day of ugliness and division.
R P
Tauranga
Bay of Plenty Times 4/11/16
TAKE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
The Government has announced funding for an increase in prison beds in existing prisons and in a new facility.
I was interested in an interview with a Maori spokesman on TVNZ 1 News that most of the Maori prisoners could not read or write. He was aiming this comment as though it was the Government’s fault. But the Government provides schooling where the majority of young children are taught to read and write.
If the parents don’t bother to take advantage of this paid-for service then don’t blame the Government. Figures released recently showed that less than 60 per cent of Maori and Pasifica students attend school regularly. Is it any wonder then that 50 per cent of the prison population is Maori or Pasifika and they can't read or write?
I entertained a New Zealandtrained teacher in August and on a couple of occasions we visited Bayfair. She could not get over the family groups with school-age children wandering around. Why were the children not in school? In London, where she teaches, parents get fined $80 if their children play the wag.
New immigrants to this country generally appreciate having good schools to send their children to so that when they grow up they will be able to support themselves. (Abridged)
P T
Pyes Pa
RIGHT TO REMEMBER
Your editorial Lest we forget the NZ Wars (November 3) rightly commends having a day to remember the wars in our own country.
Such a commemoration would ensure New Zealanders get an accurate picture of what actually happened: that more Maori fought on the side of the Crown than against it; that there were atrocities on both sides with the worst being those of Te Kooti; that most of the country, including the whole of the South Island, was largely unaffected; and that, despite widespread land alienation, there were ultimately a large number of positive outcomes for Maori.
As part of the October 28 commemorations we should also remember the conflict that killed more New Zealanders than all later wars here and overseas. In hundreds of Musket War battles from 1807 to 1845, possibly 30,000 Maori were killed or wounded. Thousands of innocent men, women and children were slaughtered and sometimes eaten, and hundreds of others were enslaved. And, large areas of land were confiscated by victorious iwi.
Our history does not just begin in 1840, and students, especially, need to learn about all our devastating wars. Furthermore, teachers have a responsibility to ensure they get a balanced coverage.
R C
Raumati Beach
CONSULT OTHERS
Your editorial supporting commemorating the NZ Wars is concerning. Minister Te Ururoa Flavell said iwi have decided October 28 as the commemoration date, being the day in 1835 the Declaration of Independence of New Zealand was signed.
This date seems to have little significance to the wars and more to gaining constitutional leverage.
The Government should be asked why the demanded "Land Wars" commemoration is only, it seems, being discussed with and by iwi.
Of the approximately 3000 who died in these wars, some 1000 were British soldiers and militia.
It seems their descendants are not being consulted. My forebears arrived in 1841 and some lost their lives in the Waikato and Taranaki wars. No one has approached me or my family.
Flavell said he had secured $4 million to support the commemorations. I have the unease this money will be used only by iwi for history revision and so to weave a new korowai of victimhood to improve their ideological interests and financial position.
If the wider public, and particularly the descendants of early settlers, are not involved and their views included, then these so-called commemorations will. like Waitangi Day, become another day of ugliness and division.
R P
Tauranga
Bay of Plenty Times 4/11/16
TAKE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
The Government has announced funding for an increase in prison beds in existing prisons and in a new facility.
I was interested in an interview with a Maori spokesman on TVNZ 1 News that most of the Maori prisoners could not read or write. He was aiming this comment as though it was the Government’s fault. But the Government provides schooling where the majority of young children are taught to read and write.
If the parents don’t bother to take advantage of this paid-for service then don’t blame the Government. Figures released recently showed that less than 60 per cent of Maori and Pasifica students attend school regularly. Is it any wonder then that 50 per cent of the prison population is Maori or Pasifika and they can't read or write?
I entertained a New Zealandtrained teacher in August and on a couple of occasions we visited Bayfair. She could not get over the family groups with school-age children wandering around. Why were the children not in school? In London, where she teaches, parents get fined $80 if their children play the wag.
New immigrants to this country generally appreciate having good schools to send their children to so that when they grow up they will be able to support themselves. (Abridged)
P T
Pyes Pa