Post by Kiwi Frontline on Dec 17, 2020 4:00:04 GMT 12
Northland Age 17/12/20
GO WHERE?
M Armstrong (11/12/20) harps on about ‘worldviews’. She fails to recognise that it was Maori who sought a British ‘worldview’ to liberate them from tribal warfare, slavery, female infanticide and cannibalism in the 19th Century.
She gives the impression the Waitangi Tribunal has legal status. It doesn’t. It can only make recommendations to Government. Both Professor Paul Moon and Chris Finlayson past Minister of Treaty Settlements/Attorney General have dismissed the WT’s finding that Maori did not cede sovereignty (NZ Herald Nov 14). That is very clear from Article 1 of the Treaty which cedes sovereignty rights “to her Majesty Queen of England absolutely and without reservation”.
In a recent letter I have given stats that the views of Maori are well expressed at all levels of decision making without special representation, and those of Maori descent who stand to represent everyone, not just the interests of Maori, have as good a chance as anyone of getting elected.
New Zealanders should be very wary of Armstrong’s flippant throwaway ““lets give Maori wards a go”. Go where? Go down a path where local government is further divided by race instead of united by our common interests.
Accusations of “racism” are hurled liberally at those who say no to Maori wards, hurled by the very same individuals who want to divide us by race.
GEOFF PARKER, Kamo
SLOW DOWN!
Jan Francis (14/12/20) appears to be saying that everyone and every outcome should be made to be equal. This is a communist ideal that is more fanciful than real. Is this what parents barrack at their kids at school cross country, “Slow down, be average”.
There will always be natural inequality because everyone is unique. We each have a unique perspective, abilities and priorities. Natural “inequality” is everywhere – even in one family of any ethnicity.
However legal equality means we all play by the same rules and enjoy the same rights and opportunities. This means no legal advantage for race, ethnicity, culture, or religion. That’s the basis of any healthy democracy - which has proven to be the most enduring and successful system of government so far. It makes for united, prosperous and happy nations because it is based on respecting a diversity of opinion.
Unequal legal treatment breeds resentment, destructive attitudes and corruption, it divides communities and countries, just look around the world!!!!
Jan raised the spectre of the tyranny of the majority in her argument for undemocratic Maori wards. Her suggestion appears to be tyranny of the minority over the majority. Tyranny in any form is abhorrent. Personally, I have more faith in the goodwill of man rather than the ill will.
Jan, to honour Te Tiriti (Article 3) we must unite races, not divide by installing separatist Maori wards.
RAEWYN MESSHAM, RD 3 Whangarei
Hawkes Bay Today 14/12/20
EQUITABLE REPRESENTATION
Regarding the proposal by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council to consider Maori constituencies, does Ngati Kahungunu chair Ngahiwi Tomoana realise that:
1 A Maori constituencies councillor does not have to be Maori.
2 Such a councillor is required to represent all the people of Hawke’s Bay and not just the Maori roll voters.
Meanwhile, how many people know that the formula used to calculate the number of Maori seats may reserve two seats on the nine-seat council for Maori roll councillors, leaving just seven general seats?
Has anyone thought through the impact of having two Maori roll councillors on the Regional Planning Committee?
The Hawke’s Bay Regional Planning Committee Act 2015 envisaged 10 iwi representatives and 10 councillors in a co-governance resource body, even though there have never been 10 councillors.
Having two Maori roll councillors would mean that the Regional Planning Committee would have the 10 iwi reps on the “tangata whenua” side.
The council side would have the two Maori roll councillors, plus one or two general roll councillors with Maori ancestry, plus a stand-in to make up the required 10.
What does that say about equitable representation?
We need an open debate on Maori constituencies with ALL information on the table.
MIKE BUTLER, Hastings
www.kiwifrontline.nz/media/letters-to-the-editor
GO WHERE?
M Armstrong (11/12/20) harps on about ‘worldviews’. She fails to recognise that it was Maori who sought a British ‘worldview’ to liberate them from tribal warfare, slavery, female infanticide and cannibalism in the 19th Century.
She gives the impression the Waitangi Tribunal has legal status. It doesn’t. It can only make recommendations to Government. Both Professor Paul Moon and Chris Finlayson past Minister of Treaty Settlements/Attorney General have dismissed the WT’s finding that Maori did not cede sovereignty (NZ Herald Nov 14). That is very clear from Article 1 of the Treaty which cedes sovereignty rights “to her Majesty Queen of England absolutely and without reservation”.
In a recent letter I have given stats that the views of Maori are well expressed at all levels of decision making without special representation, and those of Maori descent who stand to represent everyone, not just the interests of Maori, have as good a chance as anyone of getting elected.
New Zealanders should be very wary of Armstrong’s flippant throwaway ““lets give Maori wards a go”. Go where? Go down a path where local government is further divided by race instead of united by our common interests.
Accusations of “racism” are hurled liberally at those who say no to Maori wards, hurled by the very same individuals who want to divide us by race.
GEOFF PARKER, Kamo
SLOW DOWN!
Jan Francis (14/12/20) appears to be saying that everyone and every outcome should be made to be equal. This is a communist ideal that is more fanciful than real. Is this what parents barrack at their kids at school cross country, “Slow down, be average”.
There will always be natural inequality because everyone is unique. We each have a unique perspective, abilities and priorities. Natural “inequality” is everywhere – even in one family of any ethnicity.
However legal equality means we all play by the same rules and enjoy the same rights and opportunities. This means no legal advantage for race, ethnicity, culture, or religion. That’s the basis of any healthy democracy - which has proven to be the most enduring and successful system of government so far. It makes for united, prosperous and happy nations because it is based on respecting a diversity of opinion.
Unequal legal treatment breeds resentment, destructive attitudes and corruption, it divides communities and countries, just look around the world!!!!
Jan raised the spectre of the tyranny of the majority in her argument for undemocratic Maori wards. Her suggestion appears to be tyranny of the minority over the majority. Tyranny in any form is abhorrent. Personally, I have more faith in the goodwill of man rather than the ill will.
Jan, to honour Te Tiriti (Article 3) we must unite races, not divide by installing separatist Maori wards.
RAEWYN MESSHAM, RD 3 Whangarei
Hawkes Bay Today 14/12/20
EQUITABLE REPRESENTATION
Regarding the proposal by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council to consider Maori constituencies, does Ngati Kahungunu chair Ngahiwi Tomoana realise that:
1 A Maori constituencies councillor does not have to be Maori.
2 Such a councillor is required to represent all the people of Hawke’s Bay and not just the Maori roll voters.
Meanwhile, how many people know that the formula used to calculate the number of Maori seats may reserve two seats on the nine-seat council for Maori roll councillors, leaving just seven general seats?
Has anyone thought through the impact of having two Maori roll councillors on the Regional Planning Committee?
The Hawke’s Bay Regional Planning Committee Act 2015 envisaged 10 iwi representatives and 10 councillors in a co-governance resource body, even though there have never been 10 councillors.
Having two Maori roll councillors would mean that the Regional Planning Committee would have the 10 iwi reps on the “tangata whenua” side.
The council side would have the two Maori roll councillors, plus one or two general roll councillors with Maori ancestry, plus a stand-in to make up the required 10.
What does that say about equitable representation?
We need an open debate on Maori constituencies with ALL information on the table.
MIKE BUTLER, Hastings
www.kiwifrontline.nz/media/letters-to-the-editor