Post by Kiwi Frontline on May 30, 2017 18:30:20 GMT 12
MAN OUT TO PROVE MĀORI NOT ORIGINAL SETTLERS UNDER INVESTIGATION
A Kaipara amateur historian is under investigation for taking human remains, in a bid to prove his theory that Māori were not the original settlers.
Mr Hilliam admits having taken human remains from the Poutō foreshore but said they came from hāngī pits, not Māori burial grounds.
That's caught the attention of Heritage New Zealand, which is now investigating.
Senior archaeologist Frank van der Heijgden said it was a criminal offence to damage an archeological site, and carried a potential penalty of $60,000.
Mr Hilliam said he was forced to take the remains, because no one would issue him a permit.
"I got sick and tired of the system and this is why I went ahead. I wanted to know the origin of these people."
An article on Mr Hiliam's theory, published in the Northern Advocate, has been removed from the paper's website. Editor Craig Cooper issued an apology; he admits they didn't check the source and regrets the story had been a catalyst for some people to infer political or racial motives.
Mr Cooper said in his apology that Northlanders - and New Zealanders - should be open to debate about the past, the present and the future. But he said there was a right way to encourage any such debate, and they did it the wrong way.
Mr Hilliam was disappointed in Mr Cooper's apology, and said there was too much political correctness.......
www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/331890/man-out-to-prove-maori-not-original-settlers-under-investigation
Further link on the above here > Self-proclaimed historian Noel Hilliam facing $300,000 fine for damaging Māori burial site
A Kaipara amateur historian is under investigation for taking human remains, in a bid to prove his theory that Māori were not the original settlers.
Mr Hilliam admits having taken human remains from the Poutō foreshore but said they came from hāngī pits, not Māori burial grounds.
That's caught the attention of Heritage New Zealand, which is now investigating.
Senior archaeologist Frank van der Heijgden said it was a criminal offence to damage an archeological site, and carried a potential penalty of $60,000.
Mr Hilliam said he was forced to take the remains, because no one would issue him a permit.
"I got sick and tired of the system and this is why I went ahead. I wanted to know the origin of these people."
An article on Mr Hiliam's theory, published in the Northern Advocate, has been removed from the paper's website. Editor Craig Cooper issued an apology; he admits they didn't check the source and regrets the story had been a catalyst for some people to infer political or racial motives.
Mr Cooper said in his apology that Northlanders - and New Zealanders - should be open to debate about the past, the present and the future. But he said there was a right way to encourage any such debate, and they did it the wrong way.
Mr Hilliam was disappointed in Mr Cooper's apology, and said there was too much political correctness.......
www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/331890/man-out-to-prove-maori-not-original-settlers-under-investigation
Further link on the above here > Self-proclaimed historian Noel Hilliam facing $300,000 fine for damaging Māori burial site
