IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM 2012
The following archived letter (2012) was sent to me by a third party, I understand it was sent to a newspaper in 2012 but unfortunately was not published. I am posting it here because I feel it is just as relevant today, perhaps even more so, and needs broadcasting.
AUCKLAND
17 September 2012
Dear Supporter,
I find it curious when some new arrivals in New Zealand, those whose people have suffered historically from inequality and religious strife in their homelands, are opposed to equality and freedom in this country. Being of distant Scot ancestry myself, my lot had our historical complaints but we left that baggage behind us, learnt the lessons and started a new, productive life based on equality for all under law (or so we thought). People always tend to do better when they focus their energies on the future.
As for New Zealand and the issues it's facing, it seems some newcomers are not aware of local history so here's an attempt to provide them with relevant information:
1. NZ has a generous taxpayer-funded welfare system – one that recognises needs in health, education and welfare and spends a heck of a lot on the needy (of all races but Maori get a much higher per capita share purely because they are over-represented amongst those not doing so well).
2. Maori seats were created in NZ when it was only landowners who could vote. Maori owned their land communally so the Maori seats were designed to give them individual voting rights. Of course, these seats have been an anomaly since NZ led the world by introducing universal suffrage in 1893. To keep these or, as suggested, to create further seats for any possible division of the population is totally against the concept of democracy. Democracy has proven itself to be the most progressive and stable form of government to date – barring perhaps a benevolent dictator. They unfortunately don't usually last long before turning to the dark side.
3. NZ already has a written constitution [Often referred to as unwritten as it is not all in one place or document]. See the Governor-General's website for a fuller explanation.
4. The colonisation of NZ was the most peaceful and mutually beneficial of any in the world. One of the reasons for this was that the Maori tribes already here lived in a state of perpetual war - taking what they wanted from each other by force. The major reason for most tribal chiefs signing the Treaty of Waitangi was to secure the British system of law and order and protection. By the early 1800s, the British were also losing heart for imperialism and actually wanted a peaceful integration. Maori were also more highly developed than races in other British-colonised countries so contact with Maori was generally positive – they were keen traders and even got involved in trans-Tasman commerce, and intermarriage was very common. (If you don't want to study this at university as I did, you may obtain more information from the renown historian, Michael King's book "History of New Zealand" or the two more recent publications on this very subject;'The Great Divide: The Story of New Zealand & Its Treaty' by Ian Wishart or 'The Corruption of New Zealand Democracy - A Treaty Overview' by Dr. John Robinson).
5. Sure there were some serious abuses on both sides. The NZ Government/taxpayer has been busy compensating tribes for the Pakeha-caused ones – some for the 2nd or 3rd time – and frequently in good faith, without any supporting facts or proof! Of course, Pakeha are just expected to lump it with regard to the Maori abuses, but hey we do that, in the interests of getting on with creating a prosperous country for all New Zealanders. Meanwhile, Maori are now major players in NZ business, sitting on $billions of compensation, and in Auckland, the local iwi consider themselves to be the largest landlord in the region.
6. You may not appreciate that since 1974, there's been no legal definition of Maori in NZ and it's strongly suspected that there are no 100% Maori left as our egalitarian nation totally embraces intermarriage. As an example of how farcical things can get, back in 2003 there was a bit of controversy when the ex-All Black and very white and blue-eyed Christian Cullen joined the internationally touring Maori rugby team despite only having 1/64 Maori blood. He still got to tour with them.
Anyway, the result is that we have many "white" New Zealanders doing very well out of directorships, trusteeships, subsidies and scholarships for "Maori". Those unburdened by ethics and honesty are making a killing under the guise of "Maori" rights and entitlements.
7. Being "Maori" does not make one perfect. They are the same as people all over and respond to the same psychological incentives. They have just as many of the selfish and unscrupulous as any other sector of society, with their share of those driven by the desire for power and control. In some rural areas, I've seen how local bully boys control their local maraes, preventing them from taking opportunities to improve their lot and intimidating any Pakeha who attempts to come near, even on public land. Note: Many "Maori" head to Australia, purely to get away from tribal politics and the greedy, for the chance to make progress and be treated as just another member of the community.
It's essential that we stop repeating the mistakes of history. We will destroy NZ if we persist in encouraging feudalism, apartheid and the form of legalised mafia where a select group of race-based organisations have so much power. Currently they can impose taxes or levies on other New Zealanders and businesses, interfere with private property rights, prevent development, sabotage democratic process in local government while imposing additional costs and plans, and stop our federal government from governing - all on a whim.
This fair-minded and fully-informed and experienced Kiwi thinks we have gone too far and is concerned about the future - for all New Zealanders (including the average "Maori" person). It would be appreciated if newcomers did some research before passing judgement on our efforts to secure equality – something many of us believe to be in New Zealand’s best interests.
Kind regards,
Unspecified Political Commentator
June 6, 2022