Kahurangi - you really want to dig this up?

Ahhh Kahurangi National Park - how special?

"Created in 1996, Kahurangi is one of New Zealand's newest and the second largest national park. At 452,002 hectares it is also one of the largest. Translated its name has a number of meanings including ''treasured possession', an apt description of its wonderfully diverse natural and recreational values. In places it is an untracked wilderness, elsewhere a wonderful network of tracks lets you explore wild rivers, high plateaux and alpine herbfields, and coastal forests."

"The management plan (June 2001) recognises the mana and tangata whenua status of Ngai Tahu, Ngati Apa, Ngati Rarua, Ngati Tama and Te Atiawa over their ancestral lands and waters within the park and its significance to them. The recognition of mana and tangata whenua status is present through all sections and policies of this management plan.

This plan is a working tool for the future of the park only, but acknowledges the Crown's relationship with and obligations to Ngai Tahu, Ngati Apa, Ngati Rarua, Ngati Tama and Te Atiawa under section 4 of the Conservation Act 1987 which requires the Department to give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. This plan also acknowledges the Department's obligations under the Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998."

This park contains nearly half of all native vascular plant species. it also supports 12% of our threatened plants. It is home to 60% of all native land bird species, and is a stronghold for the threatened Great Spotted kiwi, Blue Duck, and both long and shorttailed native bats. 12 species of native fish in the freshwater bodies within the park including 4 threatened species and is also the home of the giant land snails.

"Ms Campbell, Forest and Bird Nelson-Tasman chairwoman, said Kahurangi National Park was likely to come under pressure for mining because of minerals there. A Department of Conservation northwest South Island national park investigation in 1993 identified Kahurangi as one of the richest areas in New Zealand for mineral resources, she said.

Crown Minerals, which manages the Government's oil, gas, minerals and coal resources, said the type of minerals that could be found in the Nelson region, for example in Kahurangi National Park, included antimony, chromium, copper, gold, lead-zinc, molybdenum, nickel, platinum, rare earths, tin and titanium."

I think Kahurangi is particularily vunerable because of it's remoteness to the rest of the country and the attitudes being displayed. How bad is it? Well grosser is the minister of conservation and he has said, "If you can extract wealth from that [conservation land], that's what we should do."

The person charged with protecting our National parks and conservation estate believes we should dig them up for money.

gandhi on non-violence from QtR

The concept of non-violence is tough for me. Why? - well for a start i am an aries tiger so getting worked up is never difficult, getting worked down is much harder. I truly believe you cannot create non-violence through violence. This beautiful quote from Gandhi, supplied by Quoth the Raven within the comments of this post at the Standard.

"The science of war leads one to dictatorship, pure and simple. The science of non- violence alone can lead one to pure democracy…The states that are today nominally democratic have either to become frankly totalitarian or, if they are to become truly democratic, they must become courageously non-violent. Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by fear of punishment and the other by arts of love. Power based on love is thousand times more effective and permanent than power derived from fear of punishment….

When a respectable minority objects to any rule of conduct, it would be dignified of the majority to yield…No organization can run smoothly when it is divided into two camps, each growling at each other and each determined to have its own way by hook or by crook…The spirit of democracy is not a mechanical thing to be adjusted by abolition of forms. It requires change of heart…My notion of democracy is that under it the weakest should have the same opportunity as the strongest. That can not happen except through non-violence…It is a blasphemy to say non-violence can be practiced only by individuals and never by nations which are compose of individuals…The nearest approach to purest anarchy would be a democracy based on non-violence…A society organized and run on the basis of complete non-violence would be the purest anarchy…."

When I think about papatuanuku getting abused by miners, when i think about the trees being cut for money and the rivers getting dammed, lakes getting drained and when i think about the people... well lets just say that i really have to find my happy place :)

one third of tourists to dunedin want more maori

We have discussed ecocultural tourism a few times now.

This report adds weight

"commissioned by the Economic Development unit and supported by the City’s Māori Participation Working Party, has found that almost one third of tourists in Dunedin are interested in genuine Māori Cultural experiences. Over 50 of the 200 tourism businesses interviewed indicated that they believe incorporating Māori culture into their operations would add value to their business."

Yep tourists don't want to see little england they want maori culture - even in dunedin. And i know this to be true because i used to drive tourists out onetahua (farewell spit). The tourists i took for 6.5 hours wanted context, they wanted relevance to their own lives and the world and they wanted to know the stories, the legends. Even when discussing the geology, they wanted the indigenous view not the view from england. We, as a country, have to accept this, we as an iwi have to accept it too.

"Tourism Dunedin chief executive Hamish Saxton said tourists were interested in cultural tourism. Dunedin, often the first port of call for cruise ships, was ideally suited to new Māori tourism ventures. A Ngāi Tahu Tourism spokesman said tourists to New Zealand valued Māori culture and were keen to learn more and “we welcome studies that show this to be the case”.

Otakou rūnanga spokesman Edward Ellison said besides the city’s wildlife attractions, tourists wanted to know more about the history and culture of the area and the iwi should capitalise on that interest. "

Yes Edward is right and this should and must be driven through the regions or runaka.
And there are many ways to do it but the key is to make something happen. If we wait, by the time it gets organised it will be too late.

I thought that NT Tourism was producing a paper around this area. Has it been produced? Who has seen it? i hope it has been completed and that actions are being taken. Move now - don't wait around.

maori sucked in by fake guru

I'm with Hone on this... and I feel a bit of a fool for getting sucked in too...

"Maori Party MP Hone Harawira whose 75-year-old uncle Tass Davis, a Ngapuhi elder, fronted the recent protests said Wenzel was a "crook" who was exploiting vulnerable Maori, and had no standing as a Maori spokesman.

"This Womble character undermines the legitimacy of the tino rangatiratanga cause by duping Maori who are in the main uneducated, poor and gullible, into believing he is some kind of saviour. He ain't."

So who is he talking about?

Bankrupt "life coach" Shane Wenzel, who uses the name Tane Rakau, was arrested on Tuesday for breaching the peace, by police overseeing the demolition of an illegally built soundstage at his South Auckland compound.

Wenzel is the leader of a group of protesters who disrupted the high court trial of former MP Taito Phillip Field last month and threatened to target the homes of Prime Minister John Key and senior judges to draw attention to injustices against Maori.

The group claims to be a sovereign hapu, exempt from New Zealand laws, and Wenzel, a white Australian, claims tangata whenua status by virtue of having been "adopted" into the hapu. "

I didn't realise that this idiot was behind this group. All mana has gone from this now and as Hone says, "... he had warned his uncle at a recent hui to "watch out" for Wenzel. "I told him I was disappointed that he had let this clown adopt a Maori name, assume a kaumatua status that he had no right to, and lead Tass and co around by the nose like a farmer leads pigs to the slaughter."

Tass Davis's association with Wenzel appeared to have taken its toll. "Tass is usually a strong and forthright character, but when I spoke to him last week he seemed tentative, weak, and very unsure of himself," said Harawira.

It tough enough getting the rights of maori recognised but to have good maori being duped by this 'womble', as Hone calls him is just off.

Go back to aussie wenzel and stay there. Maori don't need pakeha gurus.

if you can't even pronounce his name...

get it right fools

Just a small point for rodders and bendy key - Pita Sharples first name is not pronounced as in pita bread, it's not pit-a, it is pee-ta. Just like the english pronunciation. It's not that hard.

Curio Bay - petrified and free

Source: davidwallphoto.com

Good news for Waikawa.

"The purchase of a rare forest with environmental significance will allow a recreation and scientific reserve at Curio Bay in the Catlins to expand its educational and conservation role.

The South Catlins Development and Environment Charitable Trust, with support from the Community Trust of Southland, has bought a 15-hectare forest block near Waikawa Curio Bay Rd to add to the existing reserve.

The block is significant as it is believed to be the only one in the world which exists in such close proximity to an exposed petrified forest."

One of my favorite areas. Our urupa is there, it is my tūrangawaewae.

spring - time for renewed growth

Well I'm calling it... it feels like spring! 18 degrees here today, blossom bursting - even saw some lambs.

Spring, a time of renewal and growth and hope. There are many battles ahead, many worthy causes that will sap our energy. Take some time to re-energise - get into spring! Take some time out to walk on the land, the beach, the bush. Give yourself a break, sit on the grass and just breathe it in.

Spring - even the sound is bright.

The kowhai are in flower. My favorite.

maori party pulls report critical of government

The maori party has to play a very good game now. This sort of thing is not good enough.

"In an eleventh-hour U-turn, the Maori Party has pulled a report critical of the Government's plans for an emissions trading scheme, opening the door to a deal over a new climate-change law.

Within hours, National said it was delaying by two months till October its response to a report into the Foreshore and Seabed Act review, which advocated its repeal a policy plank of the Maori Party.

A spokesman for Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson denied the two were linked."

Of course they are linked - do we look stupid.

"The move by the Maori Party was criticised by Labour and the Greens because it came after the committee's deliberations and after the report was sent for printing."

Green MP Jeanette Fitzsimons said National was playing off the Maori Party and ACT.

"I fear the outcome will be law supported by ACT that is so bad it will transfer even more wealth to big polluters and do little for the environment."

The Maori Party's Te Tai Tonga MP, Rahui Katene, who sits on the committee, issued a statement saying: "We are committed to protecting the rights of Papatuanuku and Ranginui ... We are obligated to keep them from being polluted ..."

We are watching so you had better stay committed and start working with the left as well as the right... for the betterment of maori and everyone.

national parks could be mined, drilled and left to die

These lines in this report are scary.

"It appears the proposals to change schedule four under the Crown Minerals Act is likely to be most contentious.

At present, it protects land such as national parks and conservation reserves from mining interests, but Mr Brownlee wants to see this changed if there is economic benefit to be had."

So brownlie is going to open up national parks and the conservation estate to the mining industry - IF there is economic benefit to be had.

How stupid to dig up, cut down and pollute our home - that is insane.

And DoC are cutting back on new marine reserves and it looks like the high country farmers will be able to sell all our iconic high country to someone with money.

I also notice that they have begun exploratory test digging in Tasman Bay - you know Nelson the iconic golden sand beaches, nature, unspoilt... what will happen if they think they can make money? All of the unspoilt aspects will be gone. Nothing for the children or our mokopuna - but at least some mining company and its owners would die a little bit richer.

Prioritisation, priorities, priority.

If we let them they will sell and destroy everything for money.

blockade hell's pizza - Friday evening

Further to hell's pizza lazy and racist billboard ad

Good post from Tim at Tumeke here

From the facebook site here

"The Hell's Pizza outlet on Auckland's Quay Street faces a furious blockade and picket this Friday evening, as the anti racist group Socialist Aotearoa launches a boycott campaign in response to the chain's racist advertising, when they claimed that "at least our brownie won't eat your pet dog".

Socialist Aotearoa protest organiser Tania Lim says-

Speaking as a person of colour, I believe that such advertisements legitimises the negative stereotypes of people of colour, be we brown, yellow, or black. I'm protesting because I am opposed to companies like Hell's Pizza exploiting racism for the purposes of profit. Our message to Hell Pizza management and their smart arsed middle class "ironically racist" advertising idiots is this-

Insult Pacific peoples of Aotearoa at your peril. Expect flashmob protests at your outlets. Prepare to lose a lot of customers who don't agree with your racist insults, "ironic" or otherwise.

And don't tell us to "lighten up". You've already insulted our skin colour once.

Contact Tania at: 0220227672

Racist Humour is Ironic?
GO TO HELL!
Join the Blockade of Hell's Pizza
530pm Friday 28th August
2/8 Queen Street, Auckland"

Lets get out there and show hell pizza what we think of them.

Hat tip - Tumeke

black head replaced by white head - but the hands tell the story

Oh dear - can't sell computers in poland with a black man in the photo - oh dear

"Microsoft is under fire for digitally editing a publicity photo to remove a black man.

Photos posted online appear to show two versions of a Microsoft website, one from the US and one from Poland.

In the US version, a black man is seated in the middle of the photo. In the Polish version, the black man's head has been replaced with a white man's.

However, the colour of the man's hands was unchanged.

Microsoft told British newspaper The Sun it had removed the image and was investigating. The company apologised for the mistake. "

Which mistake microsoft?

advantages of maori supercityseats

A fantastic article on why maori should have seats on the supercity.

"What we are missing is a greater opportunity to go forward in partnership, innovating a great legacy for this potentially great city, enabling true and meaningful Maori representation and leaving any perceived grievance or injustice far behind."

"... No matter how imaginative Pita Sharples and Rodney Hide become with alternative structures, the fact remains that a Maori voice will be subjugated to a subordinate rendering, more of the same as we have today with powerless standing committees and advisory roles."

And this is a beautiful point

"Just imagine for a moment if we adopted a true partnership between manawhenua and the council led by Ngati Whatua and Tainui. We could do away with all that ridiculous carry-on regarding consultation. There would be a clear voice at the top table. Decisions would be efficient, robust and sustainable, significantly minimising the "raruraru" or need for so-called Maori activism. Anger and frustration might well diminish, and other ethnic voices would start to be heard.

The fact is this city is increasingly multicultural, and there is a demonstrably workable model for the indigenous people of a nation to pave the way for minority voices to be heard."

Thats right - maori will be able to assist all minorities

"We seek a seat at the top table of this potentially great city because we believe in progress. But still we have let a noisy, bigoted and short-sighted minority voice win out again with some determinedly last-century thinking about governance.

So are we to be just another Adelaide, another Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane? With a sound manawhenua partnership, Auckland could be unique, a great city that people from around the world would flock to.

Exactly

Any New Zealander asked overseas to demonstrate what is unique about their country will always default to the haka, or describe aspects of the natural resources of Aotearoa. They are hardly going to highlight rose gardens or colonial architecture.

Wake up Auckland! Wake up New Zealand. Here is the opportunity.

Honour the indigenous people of this land, not with any sense of loss, not out of guilt, not begrudgingly, not for political correctness. Not for any other reason than as a unique, progressive and innovative people we can take this wonderful place forward economically, socially and environmentally."

Strong words and challenge from Naida Glavish. I tautoko her words.

Choose - cows or rivers

Manawatu river

an interesting report on these waters

"If the Manawatu River were a person, it would be "morbidly obese".

Massey University ecologist and water quality campaigner Mike Joy made the comparison yesterday, after water-quality results from Horizons Regional Council showed the Manawatu River was the most polluted river in the region."

from the report

"DEGREES OF DIRTY:

MANAWATU RIVER

Generally Poor. There is little forested area in the headwaters to contribute to pristine water quality and water is significantly degraded as the river flows from the east to the west coast. When the river is at high flows, levels of E. coli, sediment and nutrients are elevated.

MANGATAINOKA RIVER:

Good, significantly degrading to poor. The headwaters of the Mangatainoka River rise in the Tararua Forest Park, where the water quality is pristine. But as the river goes downstream, it worsens because of intensive land use. Downstream of Pahiatua, the river has an extremely high concentration of nitrogen, impacted on by the Pahiatua sewage discharge along with other smaller discharges. Blue-green algal blooms negatively affect recreational use, especially around the Mangatainoka township. It is generally safe for swimming at low flows when the algae is absent.

LAKE HOROWHENUA:

Very poor. A coastal dune freshwater lake with significant biodiversity values. Historically, it was affected by Levin's sewage discharge, which was halted in the 1980s. There are ongoing issues with the phosphorus that remains in the lake from this contamination. Although faecal contaminants are low, the lake's extremely high nutrient concentrations mean recreational use is often inhibited because of frequent toxic algal blooms.

RANGITIKEI RIVER:

Generally good. The river is pristine at its headwaters, but several tributaries have poor water quality as a result of town sewage discharges from Taihape, Hunterville, Marton, Halcombe and Sanson. The river is generally safe for swimming at low flows. But below the Bulls bridge, the water quality degrades to of industrial discharge and intensive land use. The river is subject to green slime throughout much of its main channel at times, but it does not suffer from blue/green algae.

OROUA RIVER:

Good, significantly degrading downstream. In its upper reaches, the river has very high water quality and is safe for swimming. Nutrients are not significantly elevated and there is not a lot of slime on the bottom of the river. But at high flows the river is affected by sediment, nutrients and faecal contaminants. Downstream of Feilding, the Oroua is impacted by the Feilding Sewage Discharge, which causes high nutrient concentrations and growths of slime on the bed of the river. The water degrades continually until reaching the Manawatu River.

WHANGANUI RIVER:

Generally good. The river is very clean in its headwaters in the Tongariro National Park. Nutrient levels are low throughout the river. It is heavily impacted by sediment and has water clarity issues because of soil erosion problems throughout the catchment. It is generally safe for swimming, but blue/green algal blooms do occur in areas around Taumarunui."

Where would you and your whanau like to swim?

seal pup dies after ferry ride

Well meaning but ultimately lethal.

You find a young skinny seal in picton

You decide the seal needs help

As luck would have it you are booked to travel for 3 hours across to Wellington in the ferry

Brilliant - put the seal pup in the back seat for the duration of the voyage, take it to the vet - all good

All good?

"DOC staff were contacted by Pet Vets in Silverstream after a member of the public brought a seal in from Picton, "apparently on the ferry". A vet nurse at the clinic said the young seal was skinny and emaciated, and its well-meaning captors thought it had been abandoned by its mother.

DOC biodiversity manager Peter Simpson said it was "definitely not" sensible to take a seal in the back of a car across Cook Strait.

"When you see a seal out on its own it's because its mother's kicked it out, told it to get a job."

The stress of being removed from its environment and being kept in a car boot during the journey meant the seal had to be put down.

"Most seals reported as injured or sick are just resting and should be left alone," Mr Simpson said.

It was not uncommon at this time of year for young pups to strike out on their own and people should not assume they were in trouble.

"This is the breeding and weaning season, so mum's kicked them out of home because she's got another one on the way. So they go off on a bit of an overseas experience."

Seals were known to turn up in drains, back yards and in the middle of the road.

"During storms Cook Strait is a bit like a washing machine and seals can become tired. The seals come ashore for a bit of rest and sleep," Mr Simpson said.

Seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act 1978 and disturbing one can be punished by up to six months' jail and fines of up to $250,000.

Well meaning but lethal.

I've seen people act very strange around fur seals like they don't get that they are wild animals. Tourists certainly move fast when one of them takes notice of them, no more, "Can I give it a cuddle, please mr seal"

maori tell juken nz to pack up and go

Another maori occupation.

"Nga Kaitiaki/Kaumatua o Nga Ngahere o Tangitu has begun an occupation at Mangapa/Omahuta (Otangaroa State Forest) in protest at what it claims are a series of breaches of acceptable practice by Juken New Zealand, accompanied by the issuing of a trespass notice against the company yesterday morning.

Spokesman Allen Heta said the kaumatua of the rohe concerned met at Kenana on Saturday morning, and agreed to the occupation of their tupuna whenua, and to serve notice on Juken NZ that, as of yesterday, the company was no longer permitted to continue its logging operations within their ngahere.

Juken NZ, its contractors and sub-contractors, were required to remove all the plant and machinery from Omahuta/Otangaroa by tomorrow, although Nga Kaitiaki/Kaumatua were still to consider whether the company would be allowed to return."

Good job - if these multinational companies, here to strip our assets and make more money for themselves, cannot treat maori with respect they should be booted out. What specifically have Juken NZ done or not done?

"Mr Heta said the occupation and trespass notice had been agreed to in response to the company's total disregard for mana whenua, mana tangata, mana tane, mana wairua and mana tapu.

Specifically, the company stood accused of showing reluctance to notify tangata whenua prior to commencing operations involving tapu sites, sites of significance "and the like", the illegal logging and removal of 200- to 500-year-old rimu, kauri, kahikatea and totara trees, the blocking of streams with slash, tree heads and whole trees, and failing to make any effort to address that issue over the last three or four years.

It has also allegedly taken metal from the protesters' whenua for use on a private road on private land "and other blocks", has made no attempt to repair skid and landing sites. It has also failed to re-erect or replace fences that had been damaged as a result of its operations."

We will see more and more of these protests because maori are not going to be shoved around in their own country and be treated with total disregard.

maori and prison

i did a little double-take on this one, until I actually read it.

"Maori are set to become landlords of a prison for the first time in a deal where Corrections will rent the grounds of Wanganui's Kaitoke Prison from tribal interests.

A similar deal is underway with Wellington's Rimutaka and Arohata prisons with an agreement in principle for the ownership of the land beneath them to go to Maori.

The deals are all based on the agreement that Maori will rent the land back to the Corrections Department, which will retain control of the buildings."

So that is good - the land the prisons are on is good land and maori are being given it back. And they will rent it to corrections for a market price.

"Maori ownership of prison land is separate from the concept of Maori managing prisons raised recently by the National-led Government's plans for private prison management.

It does raise the future possibility that a prison's land could be owned by Maori and its management contracted to Maori, with the Government's only role being tenant and owner of the buildings."

I have heard a number of arguments around this issue. It does seem strange considering maori owned and operated prisons filled with ever increasing numbers of maori because the system fails them. Are the wardens then part of the problem not the solution? Do we really want maori being the jailers for other maori?

The other side is, we actually need to address this problem. We need to rehabilitate and help these prisoners - and they are prisoners, not just physically but mentally.

Sharples has been to oz and seen how we could develop approaches that actually reduce the chance of reoffending. Should maori be the jailers of maori? Perhaps the answer is, "better them than someone else."

Getting maori involved in owning and running the prisons where many of our young people end up - makes sense. Capture them, teach them, entice them, energise them, empower them. All from a base of maoritanga. Really - what other choice is there?

What is tau up to?

Last night the thunderstorms rolled in. Ahhhh so good for the soul, lightning, deep booms of thunder, pelting rain - it made me think of tau. What is he up to?

Is his outrage genuine? Hard to say, it sortof looks genuine and his face on TV has shown the requisite stern, worried furrowed brow - like a man wrestling with very big issues. But there does seem to be an amount of playing to the camera. And really what is he so outraged about. Was he under the impression that the maori seats would be allocated?

Was his email leaked by the PM's office and why? i don't think tau leaked it. It seems likely that tau's nat mates might not like him that much and i wonder why that might be. Perhaps the rumour that he will hop off the natliner and hitch himself to the maori party is the reason. It would certainly explain the discrediting that is going on, for instance, key over Tau's outburst about hide, "Oh thats just tau, ha ha we know what he's like." Of course tau could be still tight with the nats and they could be using him like labour use mallard - as some sort of psycho attack dog - but it doesn't seem accurate to me.

i'd like all maori MP's to join the maori party, regardless of political affiliations. To join the maori party means to join the kaupapa. The only one I'm not sure about is jones. That guy irritates me and his anti-maori party nastiness is most unpleseant, but hey, shane jump on board.

i think there is a strong likelihood of maori MP's joining the maori party. tau should do it and do it early. let the rulers of us know that things are changing.

A good thing that has come out of this is the number of people pronouncing tau's name correctly. tau - pronounced as toe (like on your foot)

The storm rolled in last night, lightening, thunder - like the end of the world. This morning the sun is out and the storm is a memory.

Don't be a memory tau.

"Heritage order sought by Waitaha"

image of what the mine on/in Te Ana a Raki might look like from holcim information sheet No 8.

The fight goes on...

"Waitaha wants a heritage order over an escarpment in the Waiareka Valley, which could have a major impact on the proposed Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd $400 million cement plant development.

The Maori tribe has asked Minister of Maori Affairs Pita Sharples to exercise his powers under the Resource Management Act (RMA) to protect Te Ana a Raki, also known as the Whitston escarpment, which Holcim wants to mine for limestone and tuff.

If Dr Sharples issues a heritage order to the Waitaki District Council to designate the escarpment in its district plan, it could prevent mining.

Waitaha sent a letter to Dr Sharples last week, after the Environment Court rejected an appeal against the cement plant and found the escarpment was not of outstanding natural, cultural or spiritual value.

Dr Sharples office could not comment on Friday."

The heritage order is a good move. Pita Sharples is in a tough space here and Ngai Tahu are too. Will watch with interest.

update on northern Ngai Tahu boundary issue

Good update on the northern boundary issues Ngai Tahu faces.

"Boundaries (Wai 785)18 August 2009

Update on the judicial review sought by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu following Wai 785
Ngāi Tahu has defended its northern boundary across the generations. These efforts continue to the present day with the latest action being a judicial review, sought by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, into the Waitangi Tribunal's Report following the Wai 785 Inquiry."

Kia kaha

Jarawa tribe under threat

Members of Jarawa tribe


Please note I have added another post regarding the current human safari disgrace facing the Jarawa Tribe here


Original post
 

We have it tough but others have it tougher.

"When the Jarawa tribe of hunter-gatherers began to emerge in ones and twos from the dense rainforests of the Andaman islands in 1997, it seemed that these mysterious, handsome people only wanted to take a brief look at the modern world and would soon return to the trees.

The majority of the Jarawa, thought to number about 250 people, remain deep in the forests, but some have learned bits of Hindi and regularly visit the port, the hospital or market place, says Sophie Grig, a researcher at human rights organisation Survival International who has visited the Andamans several times.

Integration has been partial and more or less at the Jarawa's own pace and volition. But now comes a threat that some anthropologists say could lead to the extinction of a tribe that has lived in isolation for millennia.

Barefoot India, a major Indian travel company, has just won a high court case that will allow it to build an eco-resort at Collipur, close to the designated Jarawa reserve. Other hotels are expected to follow."

Eco-cultural tourism - it makes sense but what about the experience from indigenous people overseas. What do maori have to watch out for?

"There are perhaps 100 indigenous communities around the world that have chosen to live in complete isolation, but the frontiers of tourism are being pushed ever forward by cheap flights and an appetite for extreme ethno-tourism fuelled by the natural instinct of man to be curious about other people.

The Jarawa are peculiarly at risk because they live so close to a holiday resort, but dozens of other extremely remote groups are also in danger. In the West Papua province of Indonesia, US expatriate Kelly Woolford of Papua Adventures offers - for $7,000-$10,000 - to take tourists and camera crews deep into the forests of the Mamberamo and Baliem valleys, where he says they are quite likely to meet "stone age" tribes.

Papua Adventures does not guarantee "encounters", but its "first contact" trek is advertised as a "full-on exploration" in areas where previously contact-free tribes are known to live.

Groups regularly stumble across tribespeople who appear to threaten them with bows and arrows, but who then disappear. Anthropologists and others who have seen photographs have accused Woolford of setting up these encounters, but he insists that the meetings are all by chance.

"Tourism can be a useful source of income, but most people would say it's pretty bad news for the local people," says anthropologist David Turton.

Turton has spent 40 years among the semi-nomadic Mursi in the Omo valley in southern Ethiopia, where some women have had their lower lip pierced and stretched so that a clay plate can be inserted. With the prospect of a giant dam flooding much of their lands, the tribe has enough problems, but it has been exploited by tourism now for 20 years.

Tour companies have presented the Mursi as the most primitive and wild people and the Mursi are fully aware they are being singled out as savages. The tourists arrive in four-wheel drive vehicles and the Mursi gather around them, asking for money in return for being photographed.

Turton has asked the Mursi what they think of these people, who only seem to want their photographs. He recorded this conversation in 1991:

Bio-iton-giga: "Why do they do it? Do they want us to become their children, or what? What do they want the photographs for?"

Turton: "They come because they see you as different and strange people. They go back home and tell their friends that they've been on a long trip, to Mursiland. They say, 'Look, here are the people we saw.' They do it for entertainment."

Komor-a-kora: "We said to each other, 'Are we here just for their amusement?' "

"They conclude that white people are thieves. The relationship is similar to prostitution," says Turton. "The Mursi know they are looked down on. But to them the encounter is a commercial transaction. They are short of everything and cash is important."

These days, tribes are regularly diminished in the name of economic advancement. The refugee Burmese Kayan women in Thailand, who wear brass coils round their necks, each year attract thousands of tourists, who pay to visit them in their camps. Their communities are disintegrating as alcoholic dependency grows.

Governments also act inhumanely to encourage tourism. The Botswana government is putting out to tender for safari companies to build lodges with bore holes in the central Kalahari game reserve at the same time that the Bushmen - who have lived there for millennia - are forbidden to even use the existing ones. One safari lodge will have a water hole less than a mile from the Bushmen, who will be made to walk hundreds of miles to collect water.

The worst destruction of indigenous groups is often invisible, done by governments and the tourism industry exploiting tribal groups for their land. "Indigenous peoples are often removed from their ancestral lands to make way for tourist developments or to create national parks where animals take precedence over people," says Tricia Barnett, director of Tourism Concern.

But above all, land everywhere is being claimed at the expense of indigenous people for the construction of hotels and golf courses, and for the creation of national parks and reserves.

Successful ventures, such as with the Akha hill tribe in Thailand, Aboriginal cultural tours in Australia, the Garifuna tourism group in Honduras and the Il Ngwesi Lodge in Kenya, which is 100% owned by local Maasai, are invariably grassroots-led and community-based. "

Grassroots led - let's call it flaxroots, and community-based. That is the answer to the exploitation of indigenous people and the successful development of ecocultural tourism.
  

Takimoana Government formed

Can you feel the sea-change?

Sometimes when i think about the past, it seems very close indeed. The last soldier from WW1 in England just died. That war started around 1914. It really is not far back from there to reach 1850.

So things are beginning to change and yes, some of those changes will be difficult.

One change, below, is the setting up of an alternative legitimate government; "The Takimoana Government", by maori for maori.

Perhaps the group with the biggest changes coming are maori who have assimilated and see themselves as kiwis, for these people, some choices will have to be made, some difficult choices.

"The Takimoana Government

The Takimoana Government was established by the people of Te Whanau-a-Takimoana on 22 June 2008 at Rangitukia when the people ratified and executed the Takimoana Government Deed of Constitution. The Takimoana Government is a reference to the particular system of government that prevails over the Takimoana tribal territory. That system of government enshrined in the Deed of Constitution comprises of a principal governing organ known as the Takimoana Governing Council, and two subsidiary organs of government, the Treasury and Secretariat.

Why the Takimoana Government?

Because 168 years of being ruled by a settler regime and imposter sovereign has been detrimental to the tribe’s social and political aspirations. Their lands have been stolen, they have been sidelined from effectively participating in the politics of the state, they have been forcibly subjected to assimilationist policies, and policies which have deprived them of their right to a fair and equitable share in the wealth of the nation. The people decided, after enduring more than a century of the colonial experience, that self government was the only pathway that would lead to the promotion of their welfare and best interests.

The purpose of the Takimoana Government

The principal purpose of the Takimoana Government is to act as guardian for Te Whanau-a-Takimoana through the exercise of Te Whanau-a-Takimoana te tino rangatiratanga both domestically and internationally for and on behalf of Te Whanau-a-Takimoana, and in a manner that best advances their social, political, economic and cultural wellbeing.

The Constitutional Basis of the Takimoana Government

The constitutional basis upon which government over the Takimoana tribal territory has been established is that Te Tiriti o Waitangi ki te Tai Rawhiti entered into between Queen Victoria and Te Whanau-a-Takimoana representatives on 1 June 1840 at Rangitukia, did not cede sovereignty to England as purported by William Hobson, Lieutenant Governor of New Zealand.

The Constitutional Powers of Government

Until 22 June 2008 New Zealand’s legal system operated on the basis that Parliament had supreme lawmaking powers that cannot be challenged. Article 5 of the Deed of Constitution confers powers upon the Takimoana Governing Council that supersede those of the New Zealand Parliament including the power to strike down, invalidate, set aside, amend or suspend any law of Parliament that, in the opinion of the Takimoana Governing Council, is injurious (harmful) to Te Whanau-a-Takimoana."

The changes are happening - where will you stand?

hell pizza - lazy and racist

Ok. Is it racist? - yes! Is it provocative? yes! Will it sell more pizza's - who knows

Well then lets put it up. Wait, what about the people who may be offended? Who cares about them. Ha ha ha ha ha.

"Alan Jones, 19, a third year advertising student at AUT said he was happy with his product and wasn’t worried he had potentially offended a significant part of the community."

“It’s a recession there’s enough bad stuff happening, you’ve got to kind of poke fun at people in times like this, you know,” he said.

Why not poke fun at yourself alan.

“I don’t really consider it as that bad. Some people might kind of construe it as being a bit racist but I mean, it’s just a topical issue at the moment, I mean, it could’ve been anyone, it just happens to be the' Tongan eating the dog story' at the moment.”

“I definitely wasn’t trying to offend anyone, I was kind of hoping that the majority of people would laugh at it and maybe a couple of other people would take offence.”

Why not make fun of yourself alan

"He said they had given thought to the potential they could offend some people but went with it anyway and he would face up to any consequences. "

“I guess I’ll have to deal with it,” he said.

“At the end of the day I’m just the kid that came up with the idea. I’m not the guy that made the billboard or put them out there or approved it, I mean, this was one of my more wild ideas and it just happened to get approved.”

Yes it says a lot that you have come up with this idea and they ran with it. Why not try and come up with an idea to insult and make fun of your own race alan? Why not?

"He said New Zealand was too PC."

We are not too PC at all. Some of us just can't stand fools who hide their racism behind fake humour.

palm kernel - another shame for this country

I agree with the greens on this one.

"Green Party co-leader Russel Norman said palm kernel and palm oil was produced on land cleared of tropical rainforest in Indonesia and Malaysia, which was a major source of carbon emissions and the extinction of animals.

Palm kernel imports went from 0.4 tonnes in 1999 to 455,000 tonnes in 2007 and then to 1.1 million tonnes in 2008.

Dr Norman said this was a quarter of all global palm kernel production, which threatened not only the local grain industry, but New Zealand's environmental reputation."

Palm Oil is not on and using the residue to feed the cows is also not on. I do think the small illusion that we are green and clean will take another blow with this news.

We have too many cows, too many.

It is not good for the farmers, the cows and this country. diversity is the key not creating more dairy farms.

I hope you are listening NT Property.

the moon

moon calendar

Look at the moon in a different way. The absurdity of our calendar shown visually.

We actually have 13 full moons a year with 28 days in each month. And then 1 extra day to get everything syncronised.

It's amazing to think that the moon exactly covers the sun during an eclipse. If it was a little closer or a little further away - it wouldn't. The sun's diameter is about 400 times larger than the moon. And interestingly the sun is about 400 times further away from the earth than the moon.

no aussie should kick a maori out

A headline I hope we never see here again. "Maoris evicted from aussie owned land."

"A group of Maori squatters in New Zealand have lost their appeal against an eviction order from a property owned by an Australian investor.

In the High Court at Whangarei on Friday, Justice Ailsa Duffy dismissed the appeal of the group, saying she did not doubt their sincerity in claiming traditional rights over the land."

It's not and will never be aussie owned land. They are not and never will be squatters

But with the cabinet sitting together over is oz at the moment - are you really sure that they aren't thinking of ways to make more money and if the country has to be sacrificed - well that is just tough. Do you really think they wouldn't do a deal with aussie and china to house another 10-20 million over here because of all of our land not being adequately used? Think of the jobs, the economic activity - everyone could afford to have 2 dishwashers and all we need to do is let 10-20 million chinese in - hell won't even notice them... and think of how many jobs for kiwis etc etc etc

The only way to save this country is for maori to accept their mana and their rights and work with others to govern. Without maori there is no country.

And as for these protestors - yes we have the law, yes there is right and wrong but sorry - the aussie who bought the property at a firesale was misled. We are sick of our assets being taken and given/sold to others. And they didn't pay the mortgage - so what, where does all the money go? to aussie banks like this one. 1 billion dollars profit - and that is just ONE QUARTER (3 Months) line up suckers...

So again i side with the protestors and i don't care what the laws says.

Lew vs RedLogix on maori at the standard

A very interesting discussion about maori on The Standard "Will Key fold"" post.
From the comments section

RedLogix
August 21, 2009 at 11:42 am
@Lew

Well in an earlier post you said something along the lines that the Treaty promise Maori a ‘hell of a freaking lot’.

It might argued that if Maori had remained a demographic majority in the country, then the Treaty, the establishment of the Crown, democracy and Parliament would have assured Maori all the representation they could want for.

But’s that’s not likely how it would have turned out is it? Tribal power was never about democracy as we know it. Certainly it had nothing much to offer the Maori slave class. Although the rangatira were never absolute autocrats in the sense of say the European monarchy, that probably because Stone Age technology limited their ability to impose their power without the wider co-operation of the iwi. But given the inevitable impact of the outside world, surely that would have changed, just as the advent of muskets in the hands of Hone Heke had already turned the Maori world upside down by 1840.

It’s interesting to speculate exactly how an Aoteoroa that had delivered to Maori the ‘hell of a freaking lot’ you have in mind, ie the full exercise of tribal sovereignty, might have evolved as a society. I imagine it would look more like the political landscape of Tonga, than what we currently have. There is no doubt in my mind that lingering in the back of some ‘upper class browns’ in this country, is a hankering for the restoration of the tribal powers they once enjoyed. (A theme not restricted to just Maori of course…)

Where do we go from here? There cannot be two competing sources of sovereignty in one nation, but neither can the currently dominant Pakeha model assume that it will remain unchallenged forever. Both sides will have to move.

Reply
Lew
August 21, 2009 at 12:00 pm
RL,

"Well in an earlier post you said something along the lines that the Treaty promise Maori a ‘hell of a freaking lot’. "

Yes, it did.

"It might argued that if Maori had remained a demographic majority in the country, then the Treaty, the establishment of the Crown, democracy and Parliament would have assured Maori all the representation they could want for. "

Yes. If the Treaty had been properly adhered to, tangata whenua would be in a very strong position compared to where they’re at now.

"It’s interesting to speculate exactly how an Aoteoroa that had delivered to Maori the ‘hell of a freaking lot’ you have in mind, ie the full exercise of tribal sovereignty, might have evolved as a society.I imagine it would look more like the political landscape of Tonga, than what we currently have. There is no doubt in my mind that lingering in the back of some ‘upper class browns’ in this country, is a hankering for the restoration of the tribal powers they once enjoyed. (A theme not restricted to just Maori of course…) "

It is interesting, but idle. And it seems like you’re drifting towards the sort of white man’s burden argument, that it’s a good thing the Crown didn’t adhere to the Treaty, because those dam natives would have just screwed it up and we’d all be living under a brown feudalism – or they would have just killed each other if the settlers hadn’t done so.

This argument, that natives were never going to be able to run a proper country because they couldn’t handle the responsibility is an awfully paternalistic line to take, although unfortunately not uncommon, even among people who ought to know better.

"Where do we go from here? There cannot be two competing sources of sovereignty in one nation, but neither can the currently dominant Pakeha model assume that it will remain unchallenged forever. Both sides will have to move. "

Indeed; an agreement will need to be struck and it will require deep compromise from all parties. What’s critical is that any agreement proceed from a position of goodwill, consent and with consideration to previous agreements. There aren’t two sources of sovereignty, though – in the strictest terms, the only thing (other than military force) which gives tau iwi the right to live here is the Treaty of Waitangi. If the settlers of the day had conquered Aotearoa and annexed it (as they did elsewhere) then that would give them the de facto right, but they chose to treat, and if there is to be rule of law in this country the crown must be bound by that decision and its consequences. So the first question of constitutional reform needs to be something like “why should tangata whenua accept a new agreement rather than simply insisting on adherence to the existing agreement?’

There are plenty of good possible answers, and this question being asked and considered deeply and in full is fundamental to the issue of consent, which is necessary before any change to the constitutional status of the nation and its people can really be considered.

L

Reply
RedLogix
August 21, 2009 at 12:15 pm

There was no magic force field bubble surrounding Aoteoroa keeping out the modern world. The whalers, sealers, loggers, missionaries , prostitutes, land-grabbers, farmers and soldiers were always going to arrive… and along with them was always going to come a technical, cultural, legal and poltical system that was frankly more developed and advanced than the Maori had.

This was reality, not paternalism. It does not say that the Maori were ever an inferior people, all it says is that their culture, evolved in relative isolation from the rest of the world was going to get a dramatic, and quite involuntary kick up the arse, in order to catch up with the modern world. That is not a statement of blame or guilt, it was a simple historic inevitability.

"because those dam natives would have just screwed it up and we’d all be living under a brown feudalism "

I take it that you aren’t defending feudalism, of whatever colour, white or brown? It’s not paternalistic to say that I object deeply to any form of feudal tribalism as a political system…. regardless of the skin colours involved.

Reply
Lew
August 21, 2009 at 12:29 pm

RL, the whole premise of ‘cultural evolution’, and especially ‘political evolution’ is paternalistic.

I’m certainly not defending feudalism; I’m saying that it’s wrong to assume that that’s what would have inevitably emerged from an alternate history where the crown adhered to the Treaty, and presuming such says a lot about your attitude toward tangata whenua. In addition, the argument you’re running here that the end (society as it is, rather than some made-up counterfactual) justifies the means (mass slaughter, resource alienation, cultural oppression, etc.) doesn’t wash, unless you accept that the Pākehā the means favoured are intrinsically more important than Māori that suffered from it. Naturally, you feel like you can argue from this position, since you’re one of those who benefitted – there’s no downside for you, really.

Māori have not been dragged kicking and screaming into democratic politics, as you suggest – they have been systematically barred and dissuaded and excluded from it, and have managed to wedge themselves in anyway.

L

Reply
RedLogix
August 21, 2009 at 1:04 pm

"I’m saying that it’s wrong to assume that that’s what would have inevitably emerged from an alternate history where the crown adhered to the Treaty "

Well at least the Tongan model I pointed to is a real one, not an assumption.

"the whole premise of ‘cultural evolution’, and especially ‘political evolution’ is paternalistic. "

Can’t accept that. If all progress and change is just ‘paternalistic’, I might as well be arguing with the dining room table. You claim not to be defending feudalism, but by your logic my rejection of it is just a paternalistic smear upon our own ancestors for whom that was the only way of life they knew. Sorry but you cannot hide behind cultural relativism all the time, at some point you have to make choices, between right and wrong, the status quo and change.

"In addition, the argument you’re running here that the end (society as it is, rather than some made-up counterfactual) justifies the means (mass slaughter, resource alienation, cultural oppression, etc.) doesn’t wash, unless you accept that the Pākehā the means favoured are intrinsically more important than Māori that suffered from it. "

By looking around I see very few Maori choosing to live in pre-European, Stone Age, tribal conditions. Most of those Maori families descended from their slaves (those who haven’t gone to Australia that is) seem to turn up the opportunity to return to their former chattel status. Many Maori avail themselves of modern foods, clothing, education, health care and so on. Many Maori become highly qualified professionals and use the technical, cultural and legal systems brought here by us ‘paternalists’ for their own desired and legitimate purposes.

Gone are the days of the summer war parties. Gone are the days of a life expectancy of less than 40, when you left behind a skeleton marked by stressful, often brutal life. Gone are the days when the life of those at the bottom of the highly rigid and finely graduated Maori class system, hung by the whim of those further up it.

So yes I conclude that for all the losses you mention, there were also gains. If you want to measure and weigh these up, then look about you and see what the people themselves have chosen.

In this respect Maori have made exactly the same journey as have us Europeans; no-one stands on any moral high ground, nor should lay claim to any special grievance… we all progress through history… each on our own path, each with it’s own turns, accidents and chance meetings.
Reply
Lew
August 21, 2009 at 1:31 pm

RL,

I should have been more clear: the idea that one culture, or political system, is objectively better or worse than another is paternalistic because these things cannot be objectively measures without a (culturally laden) set of benchmarks. My objection was to the equation of ‘evolution’ to ‘increase in quality’, rather than evolution as change which may or may not be beneficial, but usually is because deleterious adaptations die off – which is clearly and obviously the case. The reason it’s paternalistic is that it presumes purpose – a non-industrial (or pre-modern) civilisation when judged by industrial or modern standards will always be found lacking precisely because the question of what is valuable has been begged.

My point with all that is that it’s wrong for you to simply argue, as you have done, that imposing modern ways on the natives was justified and for their own good. If they are prepared to argue that, it’s another matter – and if they avail themselves of the social and technological changes manifest in those systems, it doesn’t necessarily follow that those systems are superior; especially in the NZ case, this argument is falsified by the fact that Māori were denied (by alienation, suppression of language, etc) their traditional ways of life and the modern evolutions which would develop and had no choice but to assimilate into the urban slums.

I’ve italicised that section to highlight your assumption that the Māori ways, unlike the civilised white man’s ways, would have remain unchanged all this time. This also is paternalistic – like those fools who say that Ngāi Tahu should be allowed to catch as much fish as they like with flax nets and bone hooks, but buying into Sealord is somehow cheating. The thing Māori were denied by the mass alienation and other breaches of the treaty wasn’t just the wealth of their resource – it was the opportunity and means to continue their cultural development and pursue change and reform on their own terms – as a matter of tino rangatiratanga. Instead, they have had to develop under terms imposed upon them by economic, political and military force – and people wonder why it’s so dysfunctional!

With due respect, to say that Pākehā and Māori have walked the same path ignores the fact that one was hungry, blindfold, barefoot and at gunpoint to the one behind, riding on a white horse and wondering what all the complaining is about. And to an extent, it remains thus. Talk of putting grievances behind us, forgetting the past and forging on as brothers is cheap and easy from those who haven’t borne the political, economic and cultural brunt of those grievances over eight generations. The grievances can only be shelved when Māori are prepared to shelve them, willingly and secure in the knowledge that things will be better.

L

Reply
RedLogix
August 21, 2009 at 2:54 pm

"The reason it’s paternalistic is that it presumes purpose – a non-industrial (or pre-modern) civilisation when judged by industrial or modern standards will always be found lacking precisely because the question of what is valuable has been begged. "

I understand the argument quite well, but in the end I have to reject it. While industrial civilisation has many obvious defects, it is preferred by most people to any alternative. Most people when faced with a life-threatening injury or illness choose retain access to some form of modern health care, as against solely committing to the ministrations of a tohunga for instance.

While it is easy to romantacise the putative freedom of the ‘noble savage’, the reality was a slavery to bad weather, poor and erratic food supplies, non-existent health care, and bad neighbours. The only rights and property one could lay claim to were those you or you whanau could defend or enforce by warfare.

"this argument is falsified by the fact that Māori were denied (by alienation, suppression of language, etc) their traditional ways of life and the modern evolutions which would develop "

As you say an idle argument. Even if left in total isolation Maori would probably have continued on much as they had for a thousand years prior. But that is not what happened, there was no magical bubble protecting them from change.

The simple, irrefutable fact is that the coloniser’s inevitable arrival imposed change, ipso facto. No good intentions could change that fact, no-one can be held accountable for denying the chance to allow Maori to create their own modern evolutions, because that became only a hypothetical possibility.

The only place where Polynesians had the opportunity to evolve their own modern adaptions in relative isolation was Tonga; and excuse me if I don’t wholly support the outcome.

"With due respect, to say that Pākehā and Māori have walked the same path ignores the fact that one was hungry, blindfold, barefoot and at gunpoint to the one behind, riding on a white horse and wondering what all the complaining is about. "

Not my family. Most of them fled persecution and poverty at home, arriving here after a dangerous, traumatic sea-voyage, with little more than what they wore. In one case that was literally true; she swam ashore with nothing. She later had a stand up argument with an armed Hone Heke himself and won the concession from him she wanted. She herself descended from families who had won freedom from serfdom through generations of a dramatic turbulent European history, and heritage that morally empowered her to stand up for what she wanted.

It was not the colonisers who imposed change on the Maori, it was the political and legal heritage they inevitably brought with them. "


It's well worth following these discussions because they highlight misconceptions that people have and also show depth of arguement without personal attack. The arguement is fierce but not nasty.

maori more likely to self-harm - shame on this country

Why are maori more likely to self-harm than non-maori?

"Maori, at 75.1 hospitalisations per 100,000 people, were more likely to self-harm than non-Maori, with rates of 61.6 per 100,000.

The Health Ministry said anti-suicide initiatives included better follow-up care, mental health awareness campaigns and addressing suicide rates among the Maori community in particular."

Why? And what are the iwi organisations doing about it as over 13% of maori are unemployed and it could go up to 30% - 40%.

What specific initiatives are TRONT doing for Ngai Tahu in this area? Or are we going to have to wait until more of our people kill themselves, or try to.

Waitaha group fight on against holcim

Interesting that for some tangata whenua the fight goes on.

"Waitaha wants Minister of Maori Affairs Pita Sharples to help protect its cultural and spiritual values from a proposed cement plant development in the Waiareka Valley.

Waitaha wants special recognition for the Whitston Escarpment, also known as Te Ana Raki, which will be mined by Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd for limestone and tuff for its $400 million development."

"The Waitaha Taiwhenua O Waitaki Trust Board and Te Runanganui O Waitaha Me Mata Waka Inc were interested parties in an appeal heard in Oamaru by the Environment Court earlier this year against the cement plant development.

Waitaha Taiwhenua O Waitaki Trust Board spokesman Stephen Bray said yesterday the resource consents process had failed right from the start because Holcim had not consulted Waitaha.

That continued with the Otago Regional and Waitaki District Councils, which granted resource consents for the development, also failing to consult Waitaha."

"Mr Bray also believed divisions between itself and Ngai Tahu could be settled, if Ngai Tahu was prepared "to sit at the table and discuss them".

During the Environment Court hearing, Waitaha and Ngai Tahu, the statutory body responsible for the area, clashed over Maori cultural and spiritual values in the valley.

Ngai Tahu said its Moeraki runanga had mana whenua (status) over the valley.

It had reached a memorandum of understanding with Holcim.

Waitaha claimed mana whenua and said Ngai Tahu was not sufficiently knowledgeable on Waitaha values and sites and not able to represent its interests.

However, in its decision upholding the resource consents issued for the cement development, the court declined to get involved in that debate.

The court said it was apparent the issue was more deeply seated and Waitaha did not consider Ngai Tahu had authority to speak for it."

Who has mana whenua status - the whenua knows and reveals.

go on rodney - jump!

Yah - see you later rodders

"It was revealed last night that a senior National MP - believed to be Tau Henare - sent an email to his caucus colleagues telling them ACT had threatened to end its relationship with the Government if it "gave in to Maori" and agreed to having special Maori seats on the council.

Mr Hide said he would have to resign as minister if the Maori seats were enshrined."

The change is coming rodders and you can try to look after your big-noter mates but maori aren't going to take being victimised again. So start packing your bags and reducing your expenditure because the ministerial warrant you hold, will soon be handed in.

Akaka Bill moving but still with very big. barbed fishhook

The Akaka Bill - a difficult one to decide upon. Yes it is crazy that Native Hawaiians are not considered an indigenous people in the US. Yes they need resources and the ability to deliver services to their people. But the fish-hook clause of giving up their ability "from pursuing claims against the United States for past wrongs in court." is a very big one. And i just about can't get past that, but here is the latest...

"WASHINGTON – With the backing of the Obama administration, the Akaka Bill has received a big boost of support that may provide enough weight to push the proposed legislation through Congress this year.

Hawaii’s congressional delegates have tried to pass some version of the Akaka Bill for almost 10 years. The bill is named after its originator, Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii. Supporters of the bill – the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act – welcomed the endorsement by the U.S. Department of Justice at a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing Aug. 6."

The bill will give Native Hawaiians much of the same rights as other indigenous people in the US, namely the Native American Indians and Native Alaskians. At the moment Native Hawaiians are not considered indigenous under US law. That means that any program they develop that is for their people can, and has been, challenged via civil rights legislation. When the bill passes Native Hawaiians will be able have some self government.

"The latest version of the Akaka Bill would authorize a process for establishing a Native Hawaiian governing entity and would grant the equivalent of federal recognition to Native Hawaiians, allowing them to be treated on par with American Indians and Alaska Natives. However, it would not allow gaming, create reservation trust lands, give any land back to Native Hawaiians without legislative approval, or change any existing laws."

The Apology Resolution signed into law in 1993 by former President Bill Clinton on the 100th anniversary of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, acknowledged the illegality of the U.S. government’s military-backed regime change of “the sovereign Hawaii nation” in 1893 and its support for the illegally created “provisional government” in violation of treaties and international law. The insurgents were wealthy American and European financiers and colonists who owned sugar plantations.

The key statement in the apology reiterates Hawaii’s continuing independence: ‘‘The indigenous Hawaiian people never directly relinquished their claims to their inherent sovereignty as a people or over their national lands to the United States, either through their monarchy or through a plebiscite or referendum.”

And this is where it gets very sticky.

"While all those testifying were generally in favor of the Akaka Bill, no representative of Hawaii’s sovereignty movement was invited to speak. The sovereignty movement seeks full independence from the United States based on decolonization and de-occupation under international law.

Representatives of the movement have been excluded from the discourse in Congress and in the recent Supreme Court case, which ruled earlier this year that Congress’ apology for overthrowing the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893 bears no moral, political or legal weight in stopping the State of Hawaii from selling 1.2 million acres of land seized during the illegal regime change before land claims by Native Hawaiians are resolved.

David M. K. Inciong, II of Pearl City, a Native Hawaiian, said the hearing was “farcical.”

“Here we are, foreign nationals made stateless in our own country and the U.S. wants to forcibly incorporate us into their country as indigenous Native Americans; yet again through their domestic laws to be under the plenary authority of U.S. Congress.

“Instead of living a lie by creating more lies, the U.S. needs to take stock of its situation, de-occupy Hawai’i, and return our already recognized sovereign nation-state back to us who love our country as much as the U.S. Americans love theirs. We are peers to the U.S. as nation-to-nation. Why would we submit to being a lesser status of a nation within a nation which is translated into a belligerent occupation which we already live under?”

Kehaulani Kauanui, a Native Hawaiian and associate professor of American Studies at Wesleyan University, said the discussion of constitutionality was inadequate.

“What was missing, of course, is the fact that under the U.S. Constitution, the Hawaiian Kingdom was regarded as a foreign nation, an independent sovereign state. Foreign nations do not have any relationship to the U.S. Department of the Interior precisely because that department is about areas considered by the U.S. government as internal to the U.S.A, (Indian tribes, U.S. Island Territories and National Parks). Foreign nations relate to the U.S. Department of State."

What lessons can we learn from this?

Nothing is 100% good or 100% bad.

To take two steps forward you sometimes have to take a step back first.

When the controllers put in place processes to disengage their control - they are still in control.

further reading

For the bill from a Native American perspective
Against - a very interesting angle on the apology

our valleys future decided in switzerland

We lost...

"The environment court found in favour of Holcim in a decision released on Monday, rejecting an appeal by the Waiareka Valley Preservation Society.

Holcim will decide whether to build the $400 million plant.

Holcim will evaluate the project now the court decision has been released and a final decision on whether the plant will be built is expected later next year, from its parent company in Switzerland. "

So the future of this development in our country, in our valley will be decided in switzerland... how sad - how pathetic

And also important to note that "The court, during the hearing, was faced with a clear divergence in opinions between Te Runanga o Moeraki, representing Ngai Tahu, and sub-tribe Waitaha, which appeared as interested parties, on the effects on Maori values.

That had its genesis in the complex historical relationship between Ngai Tahu and Waitaha, but the court said it was not possible for it to attempt to unravel these "complicated traditions". "

Save the Hurunui River

Hurunui River

Save the Hurunui River

Why?

"The Hurunui provides outstanding habitat for native fish and birds, especially nationally endangered black-fronted tern and black-billed gull and the dotterel (in decline). It is one of the most popular rivers in New Zealand for fishing, white-water rafting and kayaking.
The Hurunui is Canterbury’s sixth largest river by volume. Lake Sumner and seven smaller lakes formed by retreating glaciers are considered icons of the South Island high country.

As well as being one of Canterbury’s most loved rivers, it is also home to some of our most endangered species.

It is an example of one of the most diverse river catchments in Canterbury, ranging from bush-fringed lakes, steep, rocky headwaters and gorges to braided shingle riverbeds, and supports an equally diverse range of habitats and native biodiversity.

Fifty-eight bird species have been identified in the catchment, including 17 threatened species. Significant river birds include three nationally endangered species: the black-fronted tern (between 5-12% of the entire population), black-billed gull (in serious decline) and banded dotterel (in gradual decline). The catchment is also home to birds uncommon in most of Canterbury, especially grey teal and NZ shoveler.

Twenty-five native fish species have been identified in the catchment, including six threatened fish species. It is also an important recreational fishery for brown trout and salmon, with an estimated 20,000 angler days per season.

The surrounding beech forest supports a healthy population of endangered mohua (yellowhead) and critically endangered orange-fronted parakeet (kakariki). "

So Ngai Tahu what are we going to do? We have NT Property trying to dam and destroy the river. No doubt local kaumatua and Papatipu Runaka will be trying to save the river and it's mauri.

This is what the damn dammers say

"Who is behind the Hurunui Water Project?

The Board of HWP

The Board of the Hurunui Water Project is small but diverse. Our common ingredient is an interest in the future well-being of the Hurunui District. We include representatives from the Hurunui Irrigation and Power Trust (HIPT), Ngai Tahu Property, Mainpower and Eskhead Station.

• HIPT represents the interests of more than 200 Hurunui farmers who formed a trust in 2002 to look at the opportunities for using water in the district.

• Ngai Tahu Property has interests in the sustainable management of the soil and water resources of the Hurunui District together with satisfying the wider interests of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu, Ngai Tuahuriri and Kaikoura runanga. "

What is the TRONT position? Who speaks for Ngai Tahu? Are NT Property considering the wider interests with this project?

And if Ngai Tahu are too concerned about the profit and money they will make via NT Property - then what does that say about us, about our kaitiakitanga role and if we won't save this river - who the hell will!

Ngai Tahu offers to help Aorangi School

Good news about support for Aorangi from Ngai Tahu.

"Ngai Tahu has offered to pay for the rebuilding of Christchurch's Aorangi School in what would be the first public-private school partnership between an iwi and the Crown.

The proposed deal for the school, which faces closure because of a falling roll and a dispute over replacing its dilapidated buildings, would see its buildings owned by Ngai Tahu and leased to the Crown."

"Aorangi board of trustees member Andrew Oh said the Government had been promoting the idea of a public-private partnership (PPP) and Ngai Tahu's commercial arm had been looking at getting into education, so Aorangi School was a "perfect opportunity".

"This is a commercial decision. The bottom line is it does tie in nicely with what they have been trying to do, especially in protecting their language," he said."

Is it really a commercial decision?

"Ngai Tahu chairman Mark Solomon said the iwi was "strongly supportive" of Aorangi School.

"Ngai Tahu has fewer fluent reo speakers than other iwi and so it is concerning when we hear that a school like Aorangi School in Christchurch, with its bilingual unit, may be shut down. We have therefore been proactive in support of the school and have held discussions with the Government and other people of influence."

That sounds like a bit more than a commercial decision to me - I hope they are keeping an arms-length seperation especially regarding the outcomes that they want to receive. You see, a commercial decision is different to a decision to help an organisation which is helping our people become more educated and more knowledgeable around Ngai Tahutanga - IMO

Ngai Tahu let down by Waitangi tribunal

I'm disappointed by this decision.

"Six top of the south iwi are jubilant they have successfully defended a Waitangi Tribunal decision which says they have customary rights overlapping with those of South Island powerhouse iwi Ngai Tahu.

A High Court decision released on Friday by Justice Alan MacKenzie dismissed the Ngai Tahu challenge to the tribunal's decision.

Ngai Tahu is considering appealing the decision."

More lawyers, more cost but I am sure that this will go all the way. We have fought too long and too hard to give up any of our takiwa.

trev - no point sending them to jail

mallard has a view, and don't forget that this is the guy who says he is indigenous because his grandparents or whatever arrived here. I'm not saying you don't love this country mallard - but you are not indigenous.

"A senior Labour MP says five Maori who avoided imprisonment for the exorcism killing of a relative would have gone to jail if they were Pakeha.

Trevor Mallard posted his comments on the Labour Parliamentary Caucus's blog, Red Alert.

Mallard said that in sentencing the five to community sentences, Justice France had "sent a signal that's the wrong one" about what was effectively "torture"."

A couple of points mallard - you have been a minister and your answer is to put more people in jail. We are already second only to the US for imprisionment. It doesn't work.

This verdict shows how far maori have fallen because of the disengagement with their culture because of colonisation. I cannot say if this attempt was tikanga but I am sure there were many ways of trying to get the atua on side. Pakeha laugh at the so called superstition involved yet there are more things unknown than known.

We need seperate yet interconnected, justice systems where the cultural aspects of a case can be consider. This and the takamore case show that the system is not working. No use putting this group in jail they need to be in their community where the error of their ways can be shown.

The more I think about it, community is the answer to just about every problem that we face.

RIP Les Paul

Won't get fooled again - maori won't be fooled again...

April 1870, at Onoke - Smithyman

Smithyman

219

APRIL 1870, AT ONOKE

Chiefs of Hokianga met Governor Bowen
at Maning's. One after another spoke,
Aporo spoke before Papahurihia. Aperahama was present.

Papahurihia said:
"I dreamt before the coming of Governor Browne:
a black man had taken a feather out of my hair."
He did not offer to explain.
He said, again he did not explain:
"I am not a prophet; the chief Justice is a prophet."

He was reported as 'a chief of Nga ti Hau'.
He was 'the famous tohunga or priest'.