I just don't get National's game plan. On hearing John Key slam the door on Tuhoe I felt hurt for them. It would not cost New Zealanders to let Tuhoe take over management of the Urewera National Park. It means everything to them and is just a few lines in the press to the rest of the us. On the other hand, if it was the upholding of a 'principle' there would at least be some rationale behind this, to use Chris Finlayson's word to describe how some Pakeha regard land settlements, 'mean-spirited' refusal to grant Tuhoe the fulfilment of their deep desire to exercise some sort of guardianship over the land they live on.
But it can't be a denial based on principle because elsewhere we have seen National open doors to increased Maori ownership. The re-visitation of the Seabed and Foreshore wrangle looks like it will result in Maori gaining greater resources. The upshot of current proposals will, like the signing of the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People, be far more encompassing than a deal over the Urewera.
Then John Key insults everybody's intelligence (or perhaps he assumes we have none) by saying there will be no separatism in New Zealand. Bull. Of course there is and will be separatism. The question is, how much and will it be a good or bad thing?
Individualists (my tribe if you like) make a great deal about our rights and freedom as individuals. We do not like being controlled by collectives, especially the state. We would actually embrace our own separatism from people who think differently - social engineers, moral relativists, herders etc. So why can't we understand Maori and their yearning to do their own thing?
It doesn't mean that we are permanently divorced from each other. Many successful marriages are based on respect for each other's space; both separateness and togetherness. That is how the relationship between Maori and Pakeha would best strengthen and abide.
But yesterday John Key showed he doesn't really understand this when he made a very big mistake with an unfortunate comment about Tuhoe eating him for dinner. It isn't that the joke was unfunny. It was that he would even think to joke about Tuhoe after just causing them so much pain. That was thoroughly and dismally revealing.
He pandered to those people who do not want Tuhoe to get anything. People who believe that Maori will shut off Pakeha access. They base this on the past behaviour of a few thugs. In fact, their entire view of Maori is based on the worst of Maori and not the best. But do they base their view of Pakeha on the worst specimens instead of the best?
Maori generally welcome strangers and share with them. At some point we are going to have to trust each other if the future is going to be better than the past. But trust took a massive hit two days ago when Tuhoe were told that their dream was over.
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16 comments:
I heard the joke, but not the context. Thanks for explaining it.
I like the points you raise, although I get a sense that some of them are debatable:
He pandered to those people who do not want Tuhoe to get anything. People who believe that Maori will shut off Pakeha access.
I don't think this is true, because Tuhoe have already received multi-million dollar settlements, and are lined up for millions more. Few are demanding those are taken back.
Tuhoe have asked for self rule. I agree there is separatism in New Zealand, but there is not yet any explicit self-rule in the sense that Tuhoe are demanding. Perhaps that is what Key meant?
They base this on the past behaviour of a few thugs. In fact, their entire view of Maori is based on the worst of Maori and not the best. But do they base their view of Pakeha on the worst specimens instead of the best?
Very good point. But it's not exactly "past behaviour", there are still many thugs and still ardent passion for fostering separatism and division between Maori and all other New Zealanders.
We might all have different aspirations and tribal imperatives, and the challenge is to allow freedom to pursue those goals, but they must be met under universal laws and the principles of equality based on the simple requirement of personhood, not race.
People who believe that Maori will shut off Pakeha access
Well I sure hope Tuhoe would shut of public access.
Want to go on Tuhoe land? - pay Tuhoe's asking price!
more to the point - I hope that for the own good of the tribe, Tuhoe get's the miners in pretty damn quick
What Zen said.
Lindsay, I usually have the utmost respect for your views on a whole range of subjects, but this post is based on a view of the relationship between Maori and other New Zealanders which simply doesn't stand scrutiny. And in places it reads more like the anodyne rubbish which is peddled by the apologists for separatist (read racist) politics.
You ask if separatism is such a bad thing. My answer to that is: Separatism based on race is always a bad thing. It emphasises the differences between Kiwis instead of a common bond and it's a recipe for conflict.
"We would actually embrace our own separatism from people who think differently - social engineers, moral relativists, herders etc."
Not quite the same thing. In fact nowhere near the same thing. That's a difference in ideology, not skin pigment and culture and it's most unlikely to cause us to down tools and make a massive grab for the rewards for other people's labours. Because make no mistake, Tuhoe "independence" would be no more than a demand that working Kiwis fund their chosen lifestyle.
That's called slavery.
"So why can't we understand Maori and their yearning to do their own thing?"
Most of us have a yearning to do our own thing, but we're realistic enough (and principled enough) not to expect others to pay for it.
"Maori generally welcome strangers and share with them."
Generally. My experience of Maori in the Far North is very, very different to that. The experience of other property owners up that way is also often very different. Just ask the families who were burned out of their own homes. As are the experiences of a large number of tourists, who have been bashed, raped, threatened and robbed. Same on parts of East Cape.
It's not enough to simply gloss over the very real problems with race relations in this country --that's the kind of thing which prevents the problem being identified and fixed.
I disagree. KEY made the comment to lighten his speech and how any individual of group could take offence beats me.(ever heard of pakeha and puha) How can one seriously give a speech if he has to consider every prepared word or ad libbed comment. David LANGE gave a thousand such one liners without upsetting anyone and surely his most famous one liner was more offensive to the American to whom it was made and his Nation than this. Giving sovereignty over a vast National Park to one of the more militant less sophisticated tribes which has already permitted covert militia style activity within its' borders would seem to me to be irresponsible and against the National Interest.
Let me just say that for me this post is a breath of fresh air for me to read, to truly understand tuhoe's claims to te urewera one has to know the in depth history that comes with it. I myself am of tuhoe and european descent, even though i was raised in the city i still know what it is to be tuhoe, it is embedded in us and always will be. When i leave this earth i will be laid to rest at the foothills of te urewera where all of my family lay that came before me and where my children and childrens children will lay, the connection we have to te urewera will never go away te urewera is tuhoe and tuhoe is te urewera. Why do people feel so threatened by tuhoe being given back what was always theres in the first place?
What john key done when he pulled the plug at the last minute was hypocrisy, two faced and immoral to say the least, his ministers had been meeting regularly with the tuhoe people for over 18 months and through the negotiations they had made the people believe it was a done deal. To find that this wasn't the case 3 days before it was to go before cabinet is hurtful and disheartening to say the least.
Poor little Tuhoe, I'm pissing blood for them. I just hope this is the first of many instances where John Key will actually show some balls.
"I just hope this is the first of many instances where John Key will actually show some balls."
Rubbish. Key was quick to apologise, so his "balls" are a figment of your imagination.
And KG would fix 'the problem', IF there is one, with a gun. Hopefully Google will censor his blog soon. The blog has no original content anyway - it's cut and paste garbage.
When one reads some of the comments then its easy to understand why Key thought he could get away with shafting Tuhoe. They display their ignorance and lack of knowledge of Tuhoe history painting Tuhoe with thier emotional biased views of maori. Disgraceful behavoir. Like calling all Scotsmen English.
The Herald reveals Kee was Chair of the committee he himself set up to deal with these issues and that he had met with Tuhoe and was or should have been aware of the conclusions in the report to Cabinet.
Key is a flake and a fake, no doubt, no guts, and seemingly without concentration or stick ability.
He panders to the noisy minority assuming that they will get him re-elected.
Having hunted and fished the Urewera's before Doc was given the mantle I would point out that Tuhoe maintained rh roads, and huts and park for everyones use albeit under the auspice of the Forest Service. Doc have caused the facilities to be tourist orientated and the sacking of Tuhoe within the park led to crime that was not there before. We could leave vehicles parked, unlocked for a week and never a problem. Not so since Doc became the Landlord.
I personally have every faith that when Tuhoe regain their rightful land and forest and Doc and the Govt. and other iwi stop trying to remove their carbon credits and other income, that we will again be able to use the park without fear that our vehicles will be raided.
Once again Key has shown what a poor quality leader he really is.
Party vote Act next time and lets get rid of the flake.
KG doesn't know the difference between Ngati Porou (East Cape) and Tuhoe. (Urewera's )
Sigh...so many idiots, so little time.
David Parker, I'll refrain from describing you in suitable terms since this is Lindsay's blog.
You have no evidence whatsoever that I would fix the problem with a gun and hoping that the blog will be censored by Google demonstrates perfectly your mindset.
If it's just "cut and paste garbage" then perhaps you could point us to your blog, in order for us to study at the feet of the master?
Thought not.
Cowardly weasels who criticise the work of bloggers are ten a penny. In your case the exchange rate woud be considerably less. :)
Anonymous coward, what the hell does the difference between the two have to do with the points I made? Or are your comprehension skills on a par with your courage?
Having hunted and fished the Urewera's before Doc was given the mantle I would point out that Tuhoe maintained rh roads, and huts and park for everyones use albeit under the auspice of the Forest Service. Doc have caused the facilities to be tourist orientated and the sacking of Tuhoe within the park led to crime that was not there before. We could leave vehicles parked, unlocked for a week and never a problem. Not so since Doc became the Landlord.
Why do you think crime escalated, and who is committing the crime?
What differences in enforcement styles are there to cause such a difference?
This is the bit I'd appreciate an explanation:
Government sources say handing over Tuhoe ownership of the park is a definite possibility and would be the biggest deal of its kind. The sticking point would be Tuhoe's desire for total control, with the Government preferring co-management with the Department of Conservation.
And Tuhoe could be in for something much more controversial. Tuhoe sources have told us the first steps towards separate Tuhoe rule are also on the table under what's called 'mana motuhake'. The tribe wants Government functions like schools, health and welfare handed over to Tuhoe, with other functions - even tax - devolved over time.
i still know what it is to be tuhoe, it is embedded in us and always will be
Yeah I I still know what it is to be a red hand defender, doesn't give me the right to wheel out the semtex and the drogue mortars now does it?
that we will again be able to use the park without fear that our vehicles will be raided.
sure. when you pay the Tuhoe tax
Here's a Tuhoe joke: Q: What's the difference between John Key and 90kgs of fertliser?
A: Tūhoe moumou tangata ki te Pō!
It won't cost anything Linsay.
Are you sure about that?
We sure will be paying out under the ETS.
Every time NZers pay increased energy costs due to the ETS a part of it will be given to Tuhoe. Tama and his mates will have another way to fleece working NZ.
That is just one example.
Think about it next time you pay out to fill your car or keep your family warm.
John Key flatters himself way too much by suggesting his mana is great enough to succumb to a practise of kai tangata, turning him into food to make him ordinary, neutralising the power of his ancestors in the process. The man has an ego problem and needs a new speech writer who understands the nuance of 'cannibalism' as non-maori like to call it.
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