Discussion about this post

User's avatar
rave dout's avatar

It seems strange that the He Paupau report seems to have become very quiet . I considered it even more radical than the TWP Bill and written with no Pakeha consultation. It states that....."Māori procedures and customs will be functioning and applicable across New Zealand under Māori authority, and under Crown authority where applicable...................All New Zealanders will embrace and respect Māori culture as an integral part of national identity." My question is ,what is Maori authority. Is it obeying cultural edicts from the likes of Tuku Morgan?

Expand full comment
Wendy B's avatar

On consideration of this complex issue, I’m reminded of interesting conversations with Professor Kerry Howe (History, Massey Albany) circa 2005 where the point was raised that the possibly inevitable move away from our British Crown colonial ties would offer the opportunity for New Zealand to formulate and adopt a constitution, something long advocated by Sir Geoffrey Palmer. At the time of that discussion, Māori remained largely wedded to the Crown through the historical partnership formed through the Treaty. However, I wonder how that allegiance may shift with the next generations of young Maori who will increasingly become demographically more influential, and with growing confidence in their cultural identity, language, and recognition of the validity of indigenous collective social organization. The questions just keep on rolling.

Would our current political framework allow Maori to freely participate equally in the formulation of a constitution? Would a formal constitution allow a partnership that is not forever debated back and forth with the swinging political pendulum of the election cycle? Could we as a nation be educated and informed enough to even consider the necessary principles required and their consequences? I’d like to think so, but that’s probably the optimism that sociologists are required to nurture, somewhat against the odds and the stark realities of contemporary politics. In truth, I find my optimism flagging.

If the central tenet of Seymour’s argument is equality for all under the law, that law in New Zealand remains overwhelmingly colonial in terms of its basis in individual property rights. Surely that notion of equality is in itself a false premise and reimposes the colonial imperative to subjugate and assimilate indigenous peoples.

And as a last thought, as your piece readily points out Grant, relying on legacy media - let alone social media - how does the general population usefully and reliably engage with these matters?

Long live Substack and Politics Happens - may it continue to prosper and gain traction.

Expand full comment
26 more comments...

No posts