Radio NZ
Ngati Tama chairman Fred Te Miha says while the bill allows the opportunity for Maori to obtain customary rights, few iwi will be able to prove uninterrupted occupancy.
One of the submissions caught my eye - is it me or is this a bit weird
The Marlborough Express
Karl Maltesen, a Danish immigrant, who lives in Marlborough, told a hearing in Blenheim yesterday that he opposed the new bill because he believed the foreshore and seabed should belong to all New Zealanders.
If the bill went ahead he would contact the United Nations because it would strip New Zealanders of their birthright, he said.
"If the Government believes this will fade out peacefully they are a deluded bunch."
Panel member Kelvin Davis asked Mr Maltesen whether he thought Maori had been disadvantaged and were denied marine space in the past. Mr Maltesen did not want to comment because he was not informed.Well he finally makes some sense in the end - yes you are very ill-informed. The UN bit is funny but for goodness sake - this is why i think all immigrants should get some free study about the true history of this country and the indigenous place of maori as central to this place, as a prerequisite for building a home here.
2 comments:
"this is why i think all immigrants should get some free study about the true history of this country and the indigenous place of maori as central to this place, as a prerequisite for building a home here."
I've got to say I think all NEW ZEALANDERS should have to pass the same criteria. I think NZ history should be compulsory to 16 years old - a standard, comprehensive programme that every kid has to learn before they're allowed to vote (for instance)
But on the subject of this bill - good to see the resistance - I really hope the MP continue to support it and sign their own death warrant in the process.
It's unsolvable now - Brash's Tories set the agenda and now no party of the Left could ever pass a law returning rights to Maori (and survive)and no Tory party is ever going to.
Any New Zealander that has been through the education system in the past 20 years has received that education, although possibly not to any depth.
I do think, though, that anyone contemplating migrating here should receive as much information as possible about NZ society including the place of the Treaty. If they managed to emphasise that we are a secular society as well, that would be beyond excellent!
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