Post by Kiwi Frontline on Jul 20, 2019 6:08:20 GMT 12
Otago Daily Times 20/7/19
FISHING RAHUI
I see that Ngai Tahu has imposed a rahui over Lake Wakatipu for fishing (ODT, 9.7.19). The tribe has previously not offered any legal basis for such prohibitions, despite prompting from myself.
Mana entails the enhancement of status through power and control over others. It used to be achieved through enslavement and/or death. It appears that induced cultural cringe is intended to achieve the same end.
Does this latest projection of power now mean that Fish and Game licence holders must go into self-abasing deference and not exercise their lawful entitlements?
BRUCE MASON, Ranfurly
Dominion Post 20/7/19
THE WAY TO HARMONY
Maori want the freedom to deal with their problems using laws more suited to their culture. If this wish is granted, surely the Government should also agree that other ethnic groups within New Zealand have their own laws.
The word chaos is synonymous to a multicultural society, with each cultural sect using its own set of laws to deal with problems specific to its own cultural history.
For instance, when a person in one culture commits a crime against a person with a different ethnicity, whose law would a court use to deal out justice?
All people in all cultures need a roof over their heads, a job providing enough money to cover domestic necessities and a social service that helps those who can’t help themselves. Surely the Government should focus on working with education and commerce to achieve these goals.
History tells us that it’s the differences between cultures that caused the most grief. Culturally based laws will only allow these differences to fester.
Surely, over time, people should work together so these differences fade away, leaving a society that can live in harmony under one set of laws.
BARRINGTON PRINCE, Waikanae
(To the point section)
Both Cook and Kupe were the leading explorers of their societies at their respective times, albeit with vastly different technologies. If Cook is vilified for the subsequent colonisation of New Zealand and the associated Land Wars, then Kupe should be equally vilified for intertribal wars culminating in the Musket Wars. Those that desecrate Cook’s memorial and decry celebration of his arrival are in denial of the real world. This is no way to advance New Zealand as a nation.
MIKE WILLIAMS, Tawa
The Press 20/7/19
REASON FOR THE RACISM
Your writer Glenn McConnell says ‘‘get real, this country is racist to the core’’ (July 16).
In his very last paragraph he states ‘‘we need to do something about this’’.
Well Glenn, at the risk of me being called a ‘racist’, let’s make a start. We all have to live in this wonderful country and we are all entitled to enjoy it.
The majority of white New Zealanders, although they don’t admit it, are ever hopeful that things will change but until Maori improve their standards, nothing will. Statistics don’t lie and show that Maori are badly represented in many facets of New Zealand life. Crime, gang representation, drug distribution, jails, child welfare etc, it just doesn’t look good.
Let’s face it, white New Zealanders are not perfect either.
But until Maori are prepared to raise the bar, then it is extremely difficult to accept the status quo as it is.
This present Government knows the problems and is spending millions in the hope that this can change.
I do too!
So by pointing out the true facts of the matter Glenn, am I racist or just telling the truth?
GARY BLAIR, Redcliffs
Waikato Times 20/7/19
DEFINING RACISM
Current thinking being what it is, I find myself totally confused. Which of the following statements is racist: "Te reo should be made compulsory in schools" or "Te reo should NOT be made compulsory in schools"?
FRANK BAILEY, Hamilton
Bay of Plenty Times 20/7/19
HISTORY VERSIONS
I don't agree with Buddy Mikaere (Opinion, July 3) when he says that some view General Cameron as the villain in the battle of Gate Pa.
Bay of Plenty was a battleground, with the Thames tribes, Ngapuhi, Waikato and the Arawa all taking part.
In 1842, Major Bunbury was sent to Tauranga with a view to curbing the Arawa tribes. In 1845, peace was inaugurated. and a stone inscribed "Te Mau nga rongo 1845" ( the peacemaking) was set up at Maketu. After several hundred years, peace reigned throughout the Bay of Plenty. During the 1840s and 1850s, Ngaiterangi took advantage of new trade and agricultural opportunities. By the late 1850s, they owned numerous coastal vessels and supplied Auckland with vegetables and other produce.
Unfortunately, this prosperity was sacrificed when in 1864 the Ngaitermgi Chief Rawiri Puhirake taunted the British demanding they come and tight him. He even built a road for the British. He subsequently moved to Gate Pa where he got his wish, repelling the British.
The next battle Te Ranga was for Puhirake and Maori a crushing defeat. This re-established peace in Tauranga and signalled the end of the NZ Wars.
The warmongering of Rawiri Puhirake was responsible for the land loss.
RICHARD PRINCE, Welcome Bay
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers
FISHING RAHUI
I see that Ngai Tahu has imposed a rahui over Lake Wakatipu for fishing (ODT, 9.7.19). The tribe has previously not offered any legal basis for such prohibitions, despite prompting from myself.
Mana entails the enhancement of status through power and control over others. It used to be achieved through enslavement and/or death. It appears that induced cultural cringe is intended to achieve the same end.
Does this latest projection of power now mean that Fish and Game licence holders must go into self-abasing deference and not exercise their lawful entitlements?
BRUCE MASON, Ranfurly
Dominion Post 20/7/19
THE WAY TO HARMONY
Maori want the freedom to deal with their problems using laws more suited to their culture. If this wish is granted, surely the Government should also agree that other ethnic groups within New Zealand have their own laws.
The word chaos is synonymous to a multicultural society, with each cultural sect using its own set of laws to deal with problems specific to its own cultural history.
For instance, when a person in one culture commits a crime against a person with a different ethnicity, whose law would a court use to deal out justice?
All people in all cultures need a roof over their heads, a job providing enough money to cover domestic necessities and a social service that helps those who can’t help themselves. Surely the Government should focus on working with education and commerce to achieve these goals.
History tells us that it’s the differences between cultures that caused the most grief. Culturally based laws will only allow these differences to fester.
Surely, over time, people should work together so these differences fade away, leaving a society that can live in harmony under one set of laws.
BARRINGTON PRINCE, Waikanae
(To the point section)
Both Cook and Kupe were the leading explorers of their societies at their respective times, albeit with vastly different technologies. If Cook is vilified for the subsequent colonisation of New Zealand and the associated Land Wars, then Kupe should be equally vilified for intertribal wars culminating in the Musket Wars. Those that desecrate Cook’s memorial and decry celebration of his arrival are in denial of the real world. This is no way to advance New Zealand as a nation.
MIKE WILLIAMS, Tawa
The Press 20/7/19
REASON FOR THE RACISM
Your writer Glenn McConnell says ‘‘get real, this country is racist to the core’’ (July 16).
In his very last paragraph he states ‘‘we need to do something about this’’.
Well Glenn, at the risk of me being called a ‘racist’, let’s make a start. We all have to live in this wonderful country and we are all entitled to enjoy it.
The majority of white New Zealanders, although they don’t admit it, are ever hopeful that things will change but until Maori improve their standards, nothing will. Statistics don’t lie and show that Maori are badly represented in many facets of New Zealand life. Crime, gang representation, drug distribution, jails, child welfare etc, it just doesn’t look good.
Let’s face it, white New Zealanders are not perfect either.
But until Maori are prepared to raise the bar, then it is extremely difficult to accept the status quo as it is.
This present Government knows the problems and is spending millions in the hope that this can change.
I do too!
So by pointing out the true facts of the matter Glenn, am I racist or just telling the truth?
GARY BLAIR, Redcliffs
Waikato Times 20/7/19
DEFINING RACISM
Current thinking being what it is, I find myself totally confused. Which of the following statements is racist: "Te reo should be made compulsory in schools" or "Te reo should NOT be made compulsory in schools"?
FRANK BAILEY, Hamilton
Bay of Plenty Times 20/7/19
HISTORY VERSIONS
I don't agree with Buddy Mikaere (Opinion, July 3) when he says that some view General Cameron as the villain in the battle of Gate Pa.
Bay of Plenty was a battleground, with the Thames tribes, Ngapuhi, Waikato and the Arawa all taking part.
In 1842, Major Bunbury was sent to Tauranga with a view to curbing the Arawa tribes. In 1845, peace was inaugurated. and a stone inscribed "Te Mau nga rongo 1845" ( the peacemaking) was set up at Maketu. After several hundred years, peace reigned throughout the Bay of Plenty. During the 1840s and 1850s, Ngaiterangi took advantage of new trade and agricultural opportunities. By the late 1850s, they owned numerous coastal vessels and supplied Auckland with vegetables and other produce.
Unfortunately, this prosperity was sacrificed when in 1864 the Ngaitermgi Chief Rawiri Puhirake taunted the British demanding they come and tight him. He even built a road for the British. He subsequently moved to Gate Pa where he got his wish, repelling the British.
The next battle Te Ranga was for Puhirake and Maori a crushing defeat. This re-established peace in Tauranga and signalled the end of the NZ Wars.
The warmongering of Rawiri Puhirake was responsible for the land loss.
RICHARD PRINCE, Welcome Bay
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers