Post by Kiwi Frontline on Oct 16, 2019 4:03:46 GMT 12
Dominion Post 16/10/19
CELEBRATE COOK'S ARRIVAL
In the decades before the Treaty of Waitangi, Cook detractors Arama Rata and Tina Ngata's female ancestors existed in a climate of insecurity where rape, abduction, slavery and murder following battles were common.
Because of Cook's voyages to New Zealand and the subsequent development of the country, Rata and Ngata, and other Maori, have access to the cash economy, modern housing, hospitals, schools, universities, retail outlets, transport and technology.
Referring to the Endeavour as a "death ship" (Dominion Post, October 14) is not backed up with evidence. Unfortunately, misunderstandings over ownership and theft in what Cook called Poverty Bay led to the deaths of some Maori, but in other places where he landed good relations were established.
The British high commissioner has issued an expression of regret for the deaths at Tfiranganui-a-Kiwa, so why not something similar from the descendants of the Maori who murdered and ate 10 men serving under Tobias Furneaux in 1773? On the television programme Coast they were unapologetic, and described what happened to Furneaux's men as "cultural process".
Cook's arrival in New Zealand is unquestionably one of the most important events in our history. His charting of our shores, and the reports and illustrations from his three voyages set in train the modem development of the nation. He is a hero who should be celebrated with pride.
ROGER CHILDS, Raumatl Beach
Northern Advocate 16/10/19
BEWARE OF FAKE HISTORY
Real history is not an “interpretation of recorded events” (Wally Hicks October 14) but a reconstruction of what actually happened, as far as is possible, based on physical evidence including written records from the time and appropriate use of eye-witness accounts.
Hicks’ talk of “traditional Pakeha/Crown-sanctioned ... Aotearoa New Zealand history” discloses the bias of his opinions. As just one thing, “Aotearoa” is not, repeat not, the historical name of our country and very few people of Maori descent ever used it before it became a recent fashion.
As their words recorded at the time make absolutely clear, the chiefs knew that by signing the treaty document they would become subordinate to the Queen, that is, cede sovereignty. At the same time ownership (tino rangatiratanga) of property (not “treasures”) was guaranteed to ALL the people of New Zealand. It is a favourite trick of today’s treaty-twisters to ignore the 1840 meanings of words which are the only valid ones which apply.
Claiming that a Crown/Maori ‘partnership’ is in any way stated or implied in the treaty is just another piece of fake history peddled by agenda driven treaty-twisters. As retired Judge Anthony Willy writes: ‘It is constitutionally impossible for the Crown to enter into a partnership with any of its subjects’. And Canterbury law lecturer David Round writes: ‘The Queen’s subjects cannot be her partners’.
GEOFF PARKER, Kamo
Otago Daily times 16/10/19
COOK’S 250TH
WHAT do New Zealand Maori want? You can read any news platform and there are many groups complaining on a large range of topics.
One of the latest is the protest during the celebrations marking 250 years since the arrival of Captain Cook.
Yes, it is a celebration. This great explorer is responsible for the outstanding country we have today, and while there were obviously wrongs done along the way, this was the world back then.
What would New Zealand look like if the French or the Dutch had settled here? We would have a very different Aotearoa and one that may not be as diverse and accommodating as the one we have today.
Would Maori take an old saying and put it into practice — let bygones be bygones. Goodness knows, 250 years is a long time to hold a grudge.
JAMIE PICKFORD, Central Otago
Nelson Mail 14/10/19
CAPTAIN COOK 250TH
The basis for the kerfuffle about whether to celebrate Captain Cook's arrival, prompting pages of earnest historical opinions in The Nelson Mail (October 7), is the silly attempt by some to blame us later generations for what happened hundreds of years ago.
It is deeply felt by some that the Crown should apologise for the historical event of colonisation. I am all for the redress individual iwi are now being paid for proven wrongs committed by the Crown later in the 19th century.
But if you look soberly at the events surrounding the colonisation of New Zealand, it is surprising how little bloodshed actually occurred compared with other countries. That is undoubtedly because of the Treaty of Waitangi, of which we can be justly proud.
But I refuse to feel at all responsible or guilty for past historical facts.
We can (and should) muse on the moral character and behaviour of great people like Captain Cook - but it is all just history.
And it is quite idiotic that now, eight generations later, some Maori and Polynesians get it into their heads to feel aggrieved by the fact of colonisation.
By and large, I agree with the balanced views shown in your leading article and by Anne Salmond.
ANDY ESPERSEN, Nelson Mail
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers
CELEBRATE COOK'S ARRIVAL
In the decades before the Treaty of Waitangi, Cook detractors Arama Rata and Tina Ngata's female ancestors existed in a climate of insecurity where rape, abduction, slavery and murder following battles were common.
Because of Cook's voyages to New Zealand and the subsequent development of the country, Rata and Ngata, and other Maori, have access to the cash economy, modern housing, hospitals, schools, universities, retail outlets, transport and technology.
Referring to the Endeavour as a "death ship" (Dominion Post, October 14) is not backed up with evidence. Unfortunately, misunderstandings over ownership and theft in what Cook called Poverty Bay led to the deaths of some Maori, but in other places where he landed good relations were established.
The British high commissioner has issued an expression of regret for the deaths at Tfiranganui-a-Kiwa, so why not something similar from the descendants of the Maori who murdered and ate 10 men serving under Tobias Furneaux in 1773? On the television programme Coast they were unapologetic, and described what happened to Furneaux's men as "cultural process".
Cook's arrival in New Zealand is unquestionably one of the most important events in our history. His charting of our shores, and the reports and illustrations from his three voyages set in train the modem development of the nation. He is a hero who should be celebrated with pride.
ROGER CHILDS, Raumatl Beach
Northern Advocate 16/10/19
BEWARE OF FAKE HISTORY
Real history is not an “interpretation of recorded events” (Wally Hicks October 14) but a reconstruction of what actually happened, as far as is possible, based on physical evidence including written records from the time and appropriate use of eye-witness accounts.
Hicks’ talk of “traditional Pakeha/Crown-sanctioned ... Aotearoa New Zealand history” discloses the bias of his opinions. As just one thing, “Aotearoa” is not, repeat not, the historical name of our country and very few people of Maori descent ever used it before it became a recent fashion.
As their words recorded at the time make absolutely clear, the chiefs knew that by signing the treaty document they would become subordinate to the Queen, that is, cede sovereignty. At the same time ownership (tino rangatiratanga) of property (not “treasures”) was guaranteed to ALL the people of New Zealand. It is a favourite trick of today’s treaty-twisters to ignore the 1840 meanings of words which are the only valid ones which apply.
Claiming that a Crown/Maori ‘partnership’ is in any way stated or implied in the treaty is just another piece of fake history peddled by agenda driven treaty-twisters. As retired Judge Anthony Willy writes: ‘It is constitutionally impossible for the Crown to enter into a partnership with any of its subjects’. And Canterbury law lecturer David Round writes: ‘The Queen’s subjects cannot be her partners’.
GEOFF PARKER, Kamo
Otago Daily times 16/10/19
COOK’S 250TH
WHAT do New Zealand Maori want? You can read any news platform and there are many groups complaining on a large range of topics.
One of the latest is the protest during the celebrations marking 250 years since the arrival of Captain Cook.
Yes, it is a celebration. This great explorer is responsible for the outstanding country we have today, and while there were obviously wrongs done along the way, this was the world back then.
What would New Zealand look like if the French or the Dutch had settled here? We would have a very different Aotearoa and one that may not be as diverse and accommodating as the one we have today.
Would Maori take an old saying and put it into practice — let bygones be bygones. Goodness knows, 250 years is a long time to hold a grudge.
JAMIE PICKFORD, Central Otago
Nelson Mail 14/10/19
CAPTAIN COOK 250TH
The basis for the kerfuffle about whether to celebrate Captain Cook's arrival, prompting pages of earnest historical opinions in The Nelson Mail (October 7), is the silly attempt by some to blame us later generations for what happened hundreds of years ago.
It is deeply felt by some that the Crown should apologise for the historical event of colonisation. I am all for the redress individual iwi are now being paid for proven wrongs committed by the Crown later in the 19th century.
But if you look soberly at the events surrounding the colonisation of New Zealand, it is surprising how little bloodshed actually occurred compared with other countries. That is undoubtedly because of the Treaty of Waitangi, of which we can be justly proud.
But I refuse to feel at all responsible or guilty for past historical facts.
We can (and should) muse on the moral character and behaviour of great people like Captain Cook - but it is all just history.
And it is quite idiotic that now, eight generations later, some Maori and Polynesians get it into their heads to feel aggrieved by the fact of colonisation.
By and large, I agree with the balanced views shown in your leading article and by Anne Salmond.
ANDY ESPERSEN, Nelson Mail
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers