Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Mike Friend's avatar

An interesting read with some pertinent observations and implications. As an immigrant of 40 years now, I think every kiwi of voting age should be required to have read at least one book that explains how Te Tiriti came about, the historical background to European settlement and the impact that this has had on Māori as Tangata Whenua. For an outlier party like ACT is, to be able to infer that they have the solution to settle treaty issues and understandings is a gross arrogance and dangerous precedence . As the tribunal has already noted concerning the bill that it “…..is a solution to a problem that does not exist; there is no policy imperative that justifies it; it is ‘novel’ in its Treaty interpretations; it is fashioned upon a disingenuous historical narrative; its policy rationales are unsustainable; and its current text distorts the language of the Treaty/Te Tiriti.” I would love to see an upper house introduced that represented the very best examples of expertise in Te Tiriti o Waitangi to preside over every new piece of legislation that any new government sought to introduce as law. For too long Aotearoa New Zealand has paid lip service to the true meaning of partnership as it has steamrollered a mainly Eurocentric narrative for the evolution of this wonderful country.

Expand full comment
Malcolm Robbins's avatar

Thoughtful analysis thanks.

Expand full comment
17 more comments...

No posts