Post by Kiwi Frontline on Feb 3, 2016 7:38:44 GMT 12
The New Zealand Herald 3/2/16
TPP’S MAORI CLAUSE
It was great to see several expert treatises on the TPP agreement published in Monday’s Herald. The document comprising 6000 pages is the equivalent of a "Basis for Decision" in a complex business situation. Before the nuts and bolts are tightened there will be many amendments and escape rat holes to be considered and hopefully our politicians will spin the major issues in a manner comprehensible to the people who elect them.
There is a very disturbing matter that needs immediate attention. It was raised in several places: discrimination in favour of Maori. This language implies Maori are somehow inferior and require special attention. They are not, they don't, and coming from politicians it is demeaning. The majority of Maori people are happily and successfully participating in the 21st century multi-layered society. For the rest, mana will only grow from education and new employment opportunities in the regions decimated by the market reforms of the 1980s.
The other concern is the suggestion that the trade minister will be having discussions with individual iwi after those with an iwi management group. Where is the Maori Party in this debate? Should they not be the ones to address these issues with iwi? They are after all supposedly the democratically elected representatives of Maori whereas the hundred or so iwi will have self-serving agendas that are not likely to issue dividends to members any time soon. We must promote the real issues not a divisive society.
J R
Edgecumbe.
TPP’S MAORI CLAUSE
It was great to see several expert treatises on the TPP agreement published in Monday’s Herald. The document comprising 6000 pages is the equivalent of a "Basis for Decision" in a complex business situation. Before the nuts and bolts are tightened there will be many amendments and escape rat holes to be considered and hopefully our politicians will spin the major issues in a manner comprehensible to the people who elect them.
There is a very disturbing matter that needs immediate attention. It was raised in several places: discrimination in favour of Maori. This language implies Maori are somehow inferior and require special attention. They are not, they don't, and coming from politicians it is demeaning. The majority of Maori people are happily and successfully participating in the 21st century multi-layered society. For the rest, mana will only grow from education and new employment opportunities in the regions decimated by the market reforms of the 1980s.
The other concern is the suggestion that the trade minister will be having discussions with individual iwi after those with an iwi management group. Where is the Maori Party in this debate? Should they not be the ones to address these issues with iwi? They are after all supposedly the democratically elected representatives of Maori whereas the hundred or so iwi will have self-serving agendas that are not likely to issue dividends to members any time soon. We must promote the real issues not a divisive society.
J R
Edgecumbe.