The Maori Party have been handed a lesson in real-politick. I refer here to Prime Minister John Key’s announcement that there will be no specific Maori seats on the Auckland Super City Council. The slogan “kiwis not iwis” is back in vogue.
A gross miscalculation was made by the Maori Party when they rubbished the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance’s recommendations for Maori representation. Dr Sharples dismissed their report as too weak. He evidently felt that his leverage over the government was such that he could deliver a better result than the Royal Commission.
The recommendations were not weak. They were based on many submissions, meetings and lengthy deliberations. They proposed three Maori representatives, one of them to be appointed by the local tribes. The ballast of this report would have given weight to Dr Sharples’ arguments, but he overestimated the value of the Maori Party in the eyes of the ruling class that controls National. Without the clout of the Royal Commission he was marooned.
Recently I described the exercise of choosing a Maori flag to fly over the Harbour Bridge as an episode of diversionary politics. Dr Sharples will probably get permission from the Prime Minister to fly the flag from the Harbour Bridge on Waitangi Day. However iwi will have to content themselves with a flag blowing in the wind whilst having no presence at the top table of the Auckland Super City.
The tribes around Auckland have historical and ongoing interests in the region. The Labour Party was prepared to include Maori representation as a part of the new structure for the Auckland Super City. We would not have tolerated the irritation of Rodney Hide and his “one percent party”.
Hikoi means “walk” or “march”. This episode shows that Rodney Hide has stolen a march and John Key has just walked over the Maori Party.
Again, Sacha, you are good for being divisive. It might surprise you Sacha, but I have read the Treaty, both all versions and I know what it says: it’s about as clear as mud.
Kawanatanga anyone?
gonner
reading is one thing, what about comprehension, you may read it but you dont understand it…take john key keys advice and take up some more training..mind you the places might be capped due to the govt cut in funding..never mind then.
Sacha: It used to frustrate me when socialists repaired to ad hominem remarks; it still does when someone who seems to genuinely care like you does. I’d like to carry on this discussion with you, off Red Alert? No doubt you’ve more friends on here than me so if you want to continue please leave your email address.
Russell (Hooligan)
Kia Ora Shane
It will be interesting to see what the substitute to the Maori seats is. Probably some sort of gutless and pathetic advisory committee like we have at the moment.
Also not much discussion has gone into exactly what the Maori seats would offer, or if they would actually make a difference to the average Maori on the street. I don’t think they would.
There’s no doubting that having the seats would give Maori a sense of mana, but my feeling is that Maori representatives on the council would just get overriding by the white old man majority which usually make up the councils.
Of course none of this really matters it’s turned into slogan time for the Maori Party and now they have realised just what it’s really like to be cosying up to a conservative Tory Government.
James: You’re right, the proposed separate seats would change nothing. And, white fellas with political power have been running rough shod of property rights for years, not just Maoris’ land. Best thing for all of us is that property rights are secured. While council/state has the power to decide what you can and can’t do on your property (see fascism),& the right to steal it; no one’s property is safe. Labour demonstrated that with the foreshore and seabed robbery, Maori rights won’t be protected until private property rights are, unless Sacha’s “chosen one” represents that, then that person won’t be representing any Maori; and will simply end up with a well paid ratepayer funded job – if that gives you mana, I suggest you check you premise.
Maori should be getting Mana from their success as a people. not from seats being given to them because of the colour of their skin.
Perhaps addressing core issues like child abuse and the number of Maori in prison would do more for the mana of their people?
If you want seats reserved for mäori perhaps you’d better first find one……..
( Deleted offensive Trevor ) who have no more entitlement to maori treaty rights, then they have responsibility for any breaches of it by virtue of their other ancestry
Well said Bikerkiwi
Maori have enough nous, and money, to stand their own candidates. I bet that the Auckland Chinese and Indian communities will put up candidates and be succesful.
Of what are Maori afraid?
They are usually very forthcoming in their sensible not radical views, and will get support handled properly, but through the New Zealand democratic process, not like Fiji of old.
Stop bitching and get your act together for Auckland. This not a national matter.
When the views of the bloggers improve the politicans will see more value in including their insights. The Maori issues will not disappear into the ether. Since we were thrown together the frisson has been around. build on it do not ignore or deprecate.
So we should just forget about the treaty and the rule of law?
Trevor, Im not being cute, but calling someone ( deleted Trevor ) is no longer deemed offensive.
( deleted Trevor ).
The term wasnt used by me to be offensive
I think it is an offensive term. Please don’t use it on Red Alert Trevor
Maori seats are not based on race…you trolls dont get it do you..the fact maori are seeking seats is based on partnership not race….its a pity our education system has failed all you ( deleted Trevor )
@ Terry -
( bikerkiwi have taken the comment Terry made out Trevor )
@ Trevor – ol Terry does like the insults huh?
@ Terry – the fact that a person can only get a maori seat is if s/he is maori expressly shows that it is a seat based on race.
Its not a hard concept to understand – I pity the fact that you cannot see past that.
kiwibiker
the term i used was describing your attitude..i have lots of white friends too…
it is the fact your arguements are based on racism…
i pity you
Kiwibiker
how much money has john key wasted on the select committee process + add it to the royal commission, what do you get?
kiwibiker
no signature aye….do you sign a contract when you buy something from the supermarket?
kiwibiker
which english version would you refer to – there are 5 to choose from?
KIWIBIKER
are the questions to hard…you seem to disappear alot?
@ terry – I disappear to either do work, or spend time with my family.
Your questions are not hard.
I dont know how much Key spent.
The no signature comment was based on the fact that those tribes didnt sign the treaty because they didnt want to – they are not party to it. Its like saying that the person next to me is entitled to a share of the loaf of bread I purchased. That really was a poorly thought out argument from you.
5 versions – whatever – not once have I argued what was in the treaty so that has no bearing on what I have said.
It would seem you have a comprehension problem.
kiwibiker
it seems key has wasted the 9million according to the smacking people – the royal commission report was disregarded and redesigned by national with no consideration- then had a select committtee look into auckland with a sub committee to look at maori seats – which hasnt reported yet -yet the decision is made- thanks jihn and rodney!!!!
speeches were made when signing the treaty which added weight to the treaty even if not recorded in writing(modern term verbal contract).
why are there 5 english versions and only one maori version?
if people recognise the crowns right to exist then they must recognise the maori version of the treaty. Therefore if the crown exists therefore the treaty does?
i know its hard for you to comprehend but alas i blame the education system more than yourself.
i was on the Select Committee, sub committee, that met with groups and individuals in Auckland re Maori representation and other matters of concern to Maori re the “Super City” bill. Tau Henare was the chair, Hone Harawira the deputy chair, the submissions were worthwhile and it made up for the absence of earlier consultation. Key”s imposition however means the result now is a small, bald (rat-tail?) wagging a National dog. Why mislead the Maori Party or set Dr Sharples up to fail?
thats a good question shane…what is happening at the maori party? what is key thinking? who is rodney hide really?