Post by Kiwi Frontline on Jun 22, 2016 6:16:43 GMT 12
Bay of Plenty Times 22/6/16
KEEP STATUS QUO
The debate about the changing of place names to a Maori name will long continue. The city of Hastings is a case-in-point which could become The Battle of Hastings — Part 2. A local tribe has suggested the name of Hastings be changed to Heretaunga. The city of Hastings was built with the knowledge, infrastructure and manpower of the European settlers. Maori had no concept of European civilisation and thus had no input into the construction of the city.
Therefore Heretaunga Plains is appropriate but the name of Hastings is the only name for the city for these obvious reasons.
There is already a nice mix of both Maori and European placenames so let the status quo remain and leave place names as they are. (Abridged)
R B
Tauranga
The Northern Advocate 22/6/16
GRAVY TRAIN
In his letter today, Geoff Parker talks of the meaning of “taonga”.
Its original meaning of “that taken at the point of a spear” has now become anything Maori want it to mean.
The greed and sense of entitlement of the Waitangi Tribunal allows ridiculous claims to be made, such as the latest one for freshwater.
Nature gave it to us and it belongs to no one!
Even worse, from a former president of the Maori Party, who has told the Waitangi Tribunal that he would support a claim to the light from the stars and the air that we breathe on the basis that the great god Tane created space when he separated his parents, the Earth Mother and the Sky Father.
Surely Tane/God/The Creator — did not create the light and the air just for Maori!
Ngapuhi leader David Rankin states: “The tribunal exists to make lawyers, and a few elite Maori very rich. It has deprived our people from their birthright and divided and destroyed many of our communities. " The sooner it is shut down the better."
When even Maori distrust this organisation, then surely some principled leader of our country could ensure that this corrupt gravy-train is finally put out of action!
R B
Tauranga
KEEP STATUS QUO
The debate about the changing of place names to a Maori name will long continue. The city of Hastings is a case-in-point which could become The Battle of Hastings — Part 2. A local tribe has suggested the name of Hastings be changed to Heretaunga. The city of Hastings was built with the knowledge, infrastructure and manpower of the European settlers. Maori had no concept of European civilisation and thus had no input into the construction of the city.
Therefore Heretaunga Plains is appropriate but the name of Hastings is the only name for the city for these obvious reasons.
There is already a nice mix of both Maori and European placenames so let the status quo remain and leave place names as they are. (Abridged)
R B
Tauranga
The Northern Advocate 22/6/16
GRAVY TRAIN
In his letter today, Geoff Parker talks of the meaning of “taonga”.
Its original meaning of “that taken at the point of a spear” has now become anything Maori want it to mean.
The greed and sense of entitlement of the Waitangi Tribunal allows ridiculous claims to be made, such as the latest one for freshwater.
Nature gave it to us and it belongs to no one!
Even worse, from a former president of the Maori Party, who has told the Waitangi Tribunal that he would support a claim to the light from the stars and the air that we breathe on the basis that the great god Tane created space when he separated his parents, the Earth Mother and the Sky Father.
Surely Tane/God/The Creator — did not create the light and the air just for Maori!
Ngapuhi leader David Rankin states: “The tribunal exists to make lawyers, and a few elite Maori very rich. It has deprived our people from their birthright and divided and destroyed many of our communities. " The sooner it is shut down the better."
When even Maori distrust this organisation, then surely some principled leader of our country could ensure that this corrupt gravy-train is finally put out of action!
R B
Tauranga