I have been pretty busy with a couple of interesting assignments which has dampened my ability to blog. One of the assignments assessed Durie’s five point plan for Māori self determination. The five steps are forward planning, recognition of the Treaty of Waitangi, Māori Governance of Māori resources, the development of a Māori Assembly, and constitutional change. Another assignment has been on the policy cycle and understanding how issues get on the political agenda, get responded to, get decided upon, implemented via legislation and then eventually evaluated. My thoughts have been percolating around these areas and I have found that I have reached the same place for both assignments.
Constitutional change is where we need to direct energy.
“Over the years Māori have made plans, created assemblies, petitioned the Crown and protested for their right for self determination. This right can only be achieved with constitutional change that elevates the relationship into a true partnership, until then we will continue to see piecemeal, inadequate and illusory gains for Māori, as the Crown continues to pretend to accept their responsibilities to Māori as their Treaty partner.”
“Māori are not constitutionally recognised as partners to the Crown so Cabinet decides on Māori development based on many reasons, most of which are not related to Māori improvement but are politically pragmatic.”
“The political system, including the process and steps to forming policy, is designed for the advantage of the dominant cultural forces of colonisation, capitalism and globalisation. Minority indigenous cultures face extraordinary difficulties in influencing the political process because their successful development exposes the inequity of total system.”
I’ve also been having a discussion with vto here on similar themes.
It is sad that you don’t believe that people have the right to self determination – it isn’t seperatism as I have pointed out previously to you. Why are you so scared of empowering basic human rights – is it because of what you think you will lose. This “oh what about the muslims” leads me to wonder about you. Why can’t you argue your point honestly. Are muslims the indigenous people of this land? nah – didn’t think so. Got another group to analyse? push them up, it won’t take long. And that is the nub of the issue right there vto. Māori are not just another minority group shat on by the system, Māori are tangata whenua and for that and that reason alone Māori should have the opportunity to be true partners to the Crown, as agreed to in the Treaty, and add a unique voice to the solutions we need. That is not looking backwards, it is looking forward. It is not handout or grievance mode it is honestly dealing with the facts. The sooner you can just get over the fact that Māori are not going anywhere and that they are the partners with the Crown, the sooner we can all get on and build a country and society to be proud of.
I just see self determination as equality not separatism.
