Post by Kiwi Frontline on Feb 5, 2016 15:51:10 GMT 12
Sent to various newspapers (no date)
Dear Editor
IS THIS EDUCATION?
Education is the acquisition, selection and utilisation of knowledge in objective, accurate, practical, moral and apolitical conditions which the teacher provides and which is the source for developing literacy, numeracy and awareness of the World. Objectivity is a prime consideration. The personal philosophies and political beliefs of the teacher should not intrude. The pupils should be given all relevant information, objectively and encouraged to make personal decisions. Lack of this objectivity may lead to a misuse of the trust that is essential for a teacher and for a school.
An example of this misguided teaching was shown in the recent petition taken to Parliament by pupils of Otorohanga High School for a Day of Commemoration for those who perished in the Land Wars. From the support given by Maori it is obvious which version of the conflict she accepted and taught. The petition had the support of the Maori King, many of the local Iwi, the Tainui and also supporting documents signed by local residents. The petition was apparently the result of a teacher's personally selective interpretation of the events and provided a thinly disguised opportunity for treaty revisionists and Maori activists to revisit perceived injustices of the period, the confiscation of the land of the rebel iwi. It is doubtful that those pupils were ever told of the Musket Wars and the thousands who were slaughtered or enslaved then or Hongi Hika's and Te Raparaha's murderous rampages.
All forms of the media followed the activities avidly with views of the petitioning pupils in feather cloaks and their accompanying haka party with mokos, tipare, piupiu and the presentation of waiatas and karakias. Although the commemoration was supposed to include both sides in the conflict there was not a single mention of the Crown, the Army or the citizens, no whisper of their existence. Biased history, selective reportage?
Unfortunately this slanted view of our history, the idea of post-Treaty victimisation of Maori, seems to now permeate the agenda of our education system up to the universities and at government levels has led to the alteration of statutes and legal definitions and produced non-existent phrases like 'Principles of the Treaty' and suggestions of 'Maori partnership with the Crown' and similar views endorsed by the Minister of Treaty Negotiations, Chris Finlayson, the Maori Party, the Waitangi Tribunal and the Maori Council.
B.J.
Tauranga
Weekend Sun / Sunlive (Tauranga) 5/2/16
ISLAND DEBACLE: ‘TRIBAL INTERESTS'
Matakana Island Panepane Point's (200 hectares) debacle has nothing to do with cultural significance, or grievance claims, merely tribal interests yen to own land! Only on tribal radar in 2012 and was never on Waitangi claim's shopping list.
Presumably, Panepane Point has Local Authority Reserve status that benefits all Kiwis, not just vested tribal interests whose agenda is control of both sides of Tauranga Harbour entrance, which is certainly not in the long term public interest.
Transfer of this land is a farce, and while on the subject, there is no reason to think this strategic land will not be required for Port of Tauranga purposes in the future.
Every Western Bay citizen should be appalled and outraged, and must remain vigilant with a view to opposing these land grabs and always questioning why the public don't get any say from the outset.
The public excluded council meeting on December 17, 2015, was a no-no. Western Bay of Plenty District Council must be held accountable for its actions because not being transparent, accountable or honest about these matters.
Full historical details of the the Panepane Point purchase circa 1923 must be published by council.
R P,
Tauranga
SEPARATE GROUPS, SEPARATE RIGHTS'
There is much speculation about the future status of our country's freshwater. There is also much to be concerned with on the proposed changes to the Resource Management Act. This has been clarified by Winston Peter's state-of-the-nation speech last week.
Under the new bill, every council in NZ will be required by law to involve iwi authorities in participating in the creation of policy plans – which also includes water management plans.
Mr Peters confirmed that the tribes ultimately want ownership of all Crown-owned river and lake beds and the water column contained within. They will own all the freshwater in our country and they will sell it back to us for a profit – hence their demand for a fund of $1 billion to include economic mechanisms!
Maori have been working on this race-based legislation since 2007 and are proceeding cautiously so as not to awaken us from our slumber.
The most enlightening statement of all from Mr Peters is this comment: “The proposed changes to the RMA are a signal flare to the entire country that this is taking us down the track of separatism. We are no longer one people. We are moving towards two separate groups with separate rights. “The Treaty is being used to expand the separate rights of Maori.”
I find this extremely sad!
R B
Tauranga
Dear Editor
IS THIS EDUCATION?
Education is the acquisition, selection and utilisation of knowledge in objective, accurate, practical, moral and apolitical conditions which the teacher provides and which is the source for developing literacy, numeracy and awareness of the World. Objectivity is a prime consideration. The personal philosophies and political beliefs of the teacher should not intrude. The pupils should be given all relevant information, objectively and encouraged to make personal decisions. Lack of this objectivity may lead to a misuse of the trust that is essential for a teacher and for a school.
An example of this misguided teaching was shown in the recent petition taken to Parliament by pupils of Otorohanga High School for a Day of Commemoration for those who perished in the Land Wars. From the support given by Maori it is obvious which version of the conflict she accepted and taught. The petition had the support of the Maori King, many of the local Iwi, the Tainui and also supporting documents signed by local residents. The petition was apparently the result of a teacher's personally selective interpretation of the events and provided a thinly disguised opportunity for treaty revisionists and Maori activists to revisit perceived injustices of the period, the confiscation of the land of the rebel iwi. It is doubtful that those pupils were ever told of the Musket Wars and the thousands who were slaughtered or enslaved then or Hongi Hika's and Te Raparaha's murderous rampages.
All forms of the media followed the activities avidly with views of the petitioning pupils in feather cloaks and their accompanying haka party with mokos, tipare, piupiu and the presentation of waiatas and karakias. Although the commemoration was supposed to include both sides in the conflict there was not a single mention of the Crown, the Army or the citizens, no whisper of their existence. Biased history, selective reportage?
Unfortunately this slanted view of our history, the idea of post-Treaty victimisation of Maori, seems to now permeate the agenda of our education system up to the universities and at government levels has led to the alteration of statutes and legal definitions and produced non-existent phrases like 'Principles of the Treaty' and suggestions of 'Maori partnership with the Crown' and similar views endorsed by the Minister of Treaty Negotiations, Chris Finlayson, the Maori Party, the Waitangi Tribunal and the Maori Council.
B.J.
Tauranga
Weekend Sun / Sunlive (Tauranga) 5/2/16
ISLAND DEBACLE: ‘TRIBAL INTERESTS'
Matakana Island Panepane Point's (200 hectares) debacle has nothing to do with cultural significance, or grievance claims, merely tribal interests yen to own land! Only on tribal radar in 2012 and was never on Waitangi claim's shopping list.
Presumably, Panepane Point has Local Authority Reserve status that benefits all Kiwis, not just vested tribal interests whose agenda is control of both sides of Tauranga Harbour entrance, which is certainly not in the long term public interest.
Transfer of this land is a farce, and while on the subject, there is no reason to think this strategic land will not be required for Port of Tauranga purposes in the future.
Every Western Bay citizen should be appalled and outraged, and must remain vigilant with a view to opposing these land grabs and always questioning why the public don't get any say from the outset.
The public excluded council meeting on December 17, 2015, was a no-no. Western Bay of Plenty District Council must be held accountable for its actions because not being transparent, accountable or honest about these matters.
Full historical details of the the Panepane Point purchase circa 1923 must be published by council.
R P,
Tauranga
SEPARATE GROUPS, SEPARATE RIGHTS'
There is much speculation about the future status of our country's freshwater. There is also much to be concerned with on the proposed changes to the Resource Management Act. This has been clarified by Winston Peter's state-of-the-nation speech last week.
Under the new bill, every council in NZ will be required by law to involve iwi authorities in participating in the creation of policy plans – which also includes water management plans.
Mr Peters confirmed that the tribes ultimately want ownership of all Crown-owned river and lake beds and the water column contained within. They will own all the freshwater in our country and they will sell it back to us for a profit – hence their demand for a fund of $1 billion to include economic mechanisms!
Maori have been working on this race-based legislation since 2007 and are proceeding cautiously so as not to awaken us from our slumber.
The most enlightening statement of all from Mr Peters is this comment: “The proposed changes to the RMA are a signal flare to the entire country that this is taking us down the track of separatism. We are no longer one people. We are moving towards two separate groups with separate rights. “The Treaty is being used to expand the separate rights of Maori.”
I find this extremely sad!
R B
Tauranga