Money over protection gets the nod from MoF

This news is interesting...

"Otago Harbour will be opened for the commercial harvesting of cockles for the first time in 30 years following a decision to grant a special research permit to a Dunedin fishing company."

"The Ministry of Fisheries confirmed yesterday it had granted a special permit to Southern Clams to carry out research trials on commercial cockle-fishing in the middle banks of the harbour near Port Chalmers.

The permit had been issued for three years, with a possible two-year extension, allowing for 650 tonnes of Southern Clams' 1140-tonne annual quota."

And what do local maori think about this?

"Yesterday's announcement disappointed one of the men behind a proposed Otago Harbour mataitai, which would exclude commercial fishing.

Otakou runanga project manager Hoani Langsbury said "we are unhappy with the decision", declining to comment further until the runanga had discussed the development.

It is understood Southern Clams would be exempt from any mataitai and would be able to fish the area during the permitted period."

So maori want to create a mataitai to protect the ecosystem within harbour but commercial (research) interests have won out.

"Speaking from France last night, Southern Clams director Roger Belton said he was "delighted" with the ministry's decision...

If the mataitai was granted, he hoped any future decision on commercial fishing would be made by the ministry rather than the local runanga."

I disagree with belton. I think the local runanga is exactly the right place for decisions to be made regarding commercial fishing in/around and near mataitai.

Flying high

I'm a fan of the tino rangatiratanga flag personally.

"The Maori Party is tipped to announce a national series of hui next week, aimed at selecting a Maori flag."

Go to Tumeke blog and look at some of the options that Tim has found.

hat-tip - Tumeke

slip by bennett?

I noticed Paula Bennett on the radio saying that she was surprised by the increase in unemployed here. Offically there are 1200 or so going onto the unemployment benefit every week. But Paula let sip that that is the NET figure. Actually about 2500 people are being made unemployed every week and some jobs are being created thus leaving us with the net figure. But my question is:

How many of those jobs are real, full time jobs and how many are part-time, temporary jobs?

Plus there is no logical reason for the Minister to be surprised unless she wasn't aware of the Economic tsunami and its ramifications, or the figures she is looking at are different to the ones being published.

IMO when the real figures come out - not just bennett will be shocked.

Building with nature

Affordable low cost housing - now that is an achievement worth going for.

"Increasing the demand for homes made from a repackaging of papatuanuku, the earth, is what a low-cost housing project in the Far North hopes to achieve.

Auckland University's Engineering School has been leading research into the performance of uku housing - a building method which involves mixing earth, flax and cement to use as a base material.

The research aims to "equip rural Maori communities with the knowledge to use their own earth and labour to build desirable housing"."

Using natural materials to build (as much as you can) is good for the environment, good for the community and good for the people.

good discussion here

Gosman and i are having a debate about racism here. Come and contribute - what do you think?

Oppose a 4-fold increase of wastewater discharge into the Waikato River

Waikato River - Alfred Burton circa 1885

I'm with Tainui on this one.

"Dairy company Fonterra wants to quadruple its wastewater discharge into the Waikato River at Hautapu, but faces strong opposition from Tainui and downstream water users.

Waikato-Tainui is among 18 submitters to the resource consent process, of which 11 are opposed."

"If consent for the new multi-million dollar waste treatment facility at the Hautapu dairy factory site near Cambridge is granted, 10,000 cubic metres per day of treated effluent would be discharged into the river.

This would be a four-fold increase on the existing 2500 cubic metres per day Fonterra is currently allowed to release at the site.

Both Auckland and Hamilton draw their water supplies from the Waikato River."

So, a four-fold increase in discharge into the place where many Aucklanders and Hamiltonians get their drinking water - how off is that?

"In its submission, Tainui asked for Fonterra's Hautapu applications to be "declined in their entirety" because they would "severely impact on the health and well-being of the Waikato River". "

"An Environment Waikato report released last year noted levels of nitrogen and phosphorus had increased in many of the region's rivers in the past 10-15 years, and 70 per cent of the region's waterways were not considered safe for swimming."

Well that seems like at least two good reasons to stop the application. I hope the views of tainui are considered with the weight they deserve.

Kaumatua kapahaka at Te Papa

Kaumatua kapahaka - did you go?



I'll try to find some vid to put up.

Ngai Tahu Elections

Have you received much information on the Ngai Tahu elections? Me neither, and i am a bit worried about it. I did receive one communication regarding one Papatipu Runaka but after investigation it was found that a mistake had been made and we were connected to a tiipuna incorrectly. Thats okay, all fixed, but deadly silence from everyone else.

Which tiipuna offers you the chance to have a say in your Iwi? You may find that the list kept by the Runaka you thought you whakapapa'd to doesn't have you on the list. You may find the Tiipuna is not considered as whakapapa'ng to that Papatipu Runaka.

I hope we achieve fair and just representation. That means making sure that all eligible voters have the ability and knowledge to vote for the committee member that will represent their interests, when selecting the candidate for the runaka.

We need to divest some of the decision making to the people. That's going to be hard with over a quarter of registered Ngai Tahu Gone No Address. The big problem is connection and engagement. Why would someone tell you their new address? Because they are engaged and connected - this is where we need to get to.

Te Karere Ipurangi - history lesson in the comments

There are many challenges facing maori. One of the more interesting is the disinformation campaign that certain quarters put up to show the frailty of maori claims and redress. A particular amusing strain is the "celts were here first" crew. G.Graham is a proponent of that line and he posts voraciously on maori sites outlining his beliefs - which just happen to be very insulting and disgusting.

Anyway a few approaches have been made to reduce his trolling, but Justin has stepped up and finally hit the home run. I am sure that G.Graham will continue to peddle his wares, even after being soundly beaten.

I know this post is long but hopefully as you read through it you will see why it needed the full treatment.

So for a bit of fun read these comments and enjoy.

First thread talking about Foreshore compo

G. Graham July 5th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Maoris asked the British over many years to care for and protect them from the Maori Musket War [60,000 died] and the French. They could have chosen many other countries.
To dodge the issue, Britain persuaded them to declare their own sovereignty, in 1835, after which the signatories never met nor passed any laws, rendering it a nullity.

When Britain finally agreed, it was made clear sovereignty would need to be ceded to enable it to pass and enforce law.

When Maoris ceded sovereignty, in Article 1, they ceded everything, including customary rights.

Article 2 gave them the right to own their land and property [according to ahi ka] for the first time in their lives.

Article 3 gave them the “same” rights as the British.
British tribes do not own the foreshore and seabed.

New Zealand’s foreshore and seabed belong to “all the people of New Zealand”
Should any Maori disagree, blame your chief who signed on your behalf and be thankful your ancestors survived the Maori Musket War to enable you to complain.

Justin July 6th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Interesting revision of history G.Graham unfortunately what you are promoting is a biassed interpretation of events based on yours or someone elses personal agenda, which is why few people will take you seriously.

G. Graham July 9th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
Justin,
All you need to do to prove me wrong is to quote from te Tiriti text that which gives a privilege to Maoris that is not available to anyone who gained citizenship yesterday.
Readers await your reply.

If you wern’t taught the history I quoted above, blame your politically correct schooling not yourself.

Justin July 9th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
I don’t need to quote from the treaty to point out Maori privilege since the belief that Maori are getting privilege is something you falsely hold to. What is the wording in the Maori text of the treaty that cedes sovereignty G?

Heres the text: please point it out for me.

“Ko nga Rangatira o te wakaminenga me nga Rangatira katoa hoki ki hai i uru ki taua wakaminenga ka tuku rawa atu ki te Kuini o Ingarani ake tonu atu – te Kawanatanga katoa o o ratou wenua.”

Its in Ngapuhi dialect, so if you have problems translating it, let me know, I can help you, but going by your passion for such things, I assume you are an expert in te reo Maori?

G. Graham July 11th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Justin,
Kawangatanga was translated from the word Sovereignty.
Many are now saying “the chiefs and tribes and all the people of New Zealand te tino rangatiratanga” gives sovereignty to only Maoris, but read the whole quote.
This has been thrashed out with Government on treatyofwaitangi.net.nz . If Government never made it to the finishing post, what chance would you. I invite you to try, as it is not me you need to convince but this website.

The simple method is to refer to the document the Maori Tiriti was translated from.
Kawanatanga was translated from the word “sovereignty.” The above website gives many solid instances why.

History lesson one.

Justin July 11th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
G.Graham, Kawanatanga was not translated from the word Sovereignty, kawanatanga most certainly was a word expanded upon from the word kawana which was made up by bible translators for the word governor. Adding tanga added the ’ship’ to the end, kawanatanga, governorship or government. Using kawangatanga instead of a word that better ressembled sovereignty was just dishonest of those that wrote the Maori version of the treaty.

They knew that Maori would have read kawanatanga as government or governorship, not sovereignty which would have better been translated as mana whenua, mana tangata, mana moana.

If you want clarification of this check with the many recorded debates Maori chiefs had before signing the treaty, they all saw kawanatanga as governorship not Sovereignty. Tino-Rangatiratanga itself is a term also derrived from the bible and is the closest reference to sovereignty other than the ones I mentioned earlier. Those that wrote the wording for the Maori version, also knew this, and that is why it was inputted into the second article of the treaty, again as a dishonest way of coercing chiefs to sign the treaty.

This is how they were able to gazzette the annexing of Aotearoa in such a short time, merely by dishonest wording in the treaty. Over the next decade or so, many of those chiefs that signed the treaty realised that they had been duped and later took part in the armed defence of their lands against the Crown, who also realised that due to this realisation, many chiefs no longer accepted the process of the treaty as a valid process so therefore the colonial armies were formed to take sovereignty the old way, by way of the gun, which they did, in most cases, attacking the main armed strongholds such as Taranaki, Tauranga and Waikato Maniapoto.

So by the end of the 1860s there was no doubts who was the sovereign body in this country, the one with the largest army. So in the end sovereignty was taken by force of conquest not by trickery as the Hobson/Williams ilk had planned.

Second thread this time the topic is Treelords deal

G. Graham July 5th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Amazing, considering there are no forest rights in Te Tiriti.treatyofwaitangi.net.nz to view the history and content of our true Tiriti which will be found to be quite different from Governments.

Are the British really responsible for the attrocities of the Land War, which commenced with the crossing of the Maungatawhiri stream on 17-July-1863. The truth is, this war was initiated 3 years[not a misprint]earlier by the Maori king Tawhiao who declared war on Government and vowed to drive it and all the white settlers into the sea. He initiated his genocidal war in 1860, in Taranaki, and also attacked the British at Kohera,17-06-1863, north of Maungatawhiri, prior to the British exercising their Treaty obligation of saving New Zealand from Tawhiao’s war. The 3 years 1860 to 1863 have been ignored by Government. There were no settlers in the Waikato when Tawhiao’s warriors fought at Kohera, so no excuse. From “The Realms of King Tawhiao, by Dick Craig.

Justin July 6th, 2009 at 10:12 am
G.Graham are you saying that English Common law does not apply to Maori.

G. Graham July 6th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Justin,
Article 3 of te Tiriti says “Maori are to be given the same rights as the people of England.”


Justin July 6th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
So then, since people of England come under English Common law, I’ll ask you the question again. Are you saying that English Common law does not apply to Maori?

Mandiko July 8th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
He won’t be able to answer that one Justin because that will fuck his argument up.

G. Graham July 9th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Justin and Mandiko,
Please reread the first sentence of my July 6th letter.

Go To treatyofwaitangi.net.nz and you will find we have only one Tiriti and it contains no special privileges for Maoris that is unavailable to others. It is also the reason Maoris live in the first world, by preference, instead of their right to a third world existence in the bush.
The words “forests and fish” are found in the Governments official English Treaty. This was written by one who had no authority to write or draft our Treaty, James Freeman, and only the Maori Tiriti was authorised by Governor Hobson. Therefore, all Tiriti settlements to forests and fish cannot be substantiated by Te Tiriti.

Justin July 9th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
That is not an answer to my question G.Graham. What I want to hear is a yes or a no from you to this question. Does English Common Law apply to Maori?

G. Graham July 10th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Justin,
Please read Article 3 in my second to last letter.
The word “same” means “Yes” to your question.

Please let me know if you are still unclear, as it is vital you understand the most important Article in te Tiriti.

Article 2 promises ownership to tribes of their land for the first time in their history, Article 3 promises you may live on the territory of any tribe, including that of former dreaded enemies, in peace. Note, in peace. What a wonderful gift.

Should you consider the horrors of the Maori Musket War [60,000 Maoris lay dead on the ground and many in slavery], you must be thankful your chief asked for British protection.
Thank you, this is the first time I’ve had a sensible question. Most gun me as a racist for supporting our Treaty and all I do is quote this wonderful document, which supports “all the people of New Zealand” not just a few. treatyofwaitangi.net.nz

Justin July 11th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Rather patronising and selective of you G Graham to speak of the horrors of those wars while making no mention of the last 200 years of British wars dating from Crimea, to today resulting in the deaths of over 100 million people.
But aside from that argument, I am more interested in your perception that the Treaty gives no special rights to Maori.

If you say yes to Common Law applying to Maori, then you must at least acknowledge then the rights that are inherent in English Common Law concerning customary law of land ownership and rights that are afforded to those subjects of the crown that can prove occupation of lands prior to a shifting of sovereignties?

This mirrors the events that took place in England with the overthrowing of the sovereignty of the King and the ceding of sovereignty to Parliament and the special customary and freehold title rights to forests, rivers and resources that ensued in the following few hundred years that became the basis of English Common Law associated with land and access rights.
Within that interpretation alone, Maori have special rights to the seabed and foreshores, rivers, forests and lakes if you afford Maori the same rights that were afforded to those long term occupants who received those titles in Britain.

This is the mistake you make in trying to translate the treaty to fit your view. The deal was signed between the Crown and Maori to set up a process that allowed for the transfer of land from native title into British sovereign control.

It seems you will not see the obvious reasoning behind this move perhaps because you want Pakeha to be included in the Treaty for which they did not sign nor were consulted with nor were included in or needed to be included in such a treaty of the type that has been used in many countries that were colonised by the British.

So as I have read through your writings on this news site, I have been able to pick up the points you are promoting, and if I may I will list them so that we can all agree that I do understand where you are coming from.

1/ The treaty has been mistranslated in a number of issues, firstly, that it was a treaty that guaranteed rights to both Pakeha and Maori of their lands that they possessed at the time of the signing.

2/ That the word taonga has been remade to translate as inherited or cultural treasures when in fact it just means possessions

3/ That the only reliable translation of the treaty is by the Pakeha T. E. Young in 1869 and in the littewood draft.

4/ That the Maori language is so removed from its original form that it is no longer the Maori language but in fact a pakeha version made up by bible translators and missionaries.

5/ That other than the treaty, Maori have no international indigenous rights because when they arrived here a mere 700 years ago they wiped out the original Pakeha inhabitants who are the true indigenous people of Aotearoa. Therefore the attempts by the Government to settle the treaty breaches with Maori are discrimination against the real Celtic Pakeha heritage that formed this country.

6/ Maori art, music and dance were stolen from the original celts of Aotearoa.

7/ That this country was first peopled by the kind and loving Celts from Scotland who were then overthrown by the human feasting Polynesians who then went on to brutalise themselves for the following 600 years until the British arrived here with an ample supply of muskets to save them from totally wiping themselves out and those devilish Maori went and used them on themselves.

8/ That in fact the Phoenicians, Chinese, and half a dozen other European countries popped in here before the late arriving johnny come lately Maori.

Just to name a few points.

I will leave off with this quote about the Hongi from the pro-celticnz people.
“if you are not careful you may subjected to some one elses closely expired air as they invade your personal space and assault you with a repugnant hongi.”

G. Graham July 11th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Justin,
Re. your 3rd paragraph: When one cedes sovereignty one cedes everything, including the right to be here, Article 1. This was necessary for Britain to make and uphold laws aimed at bringing peace Maoris asked for.
Article 2 gave permanent ownership of land and property to “all the people of New Zealand.” To Maoris this meant according to their law of ahi ka [the land is theirs until the fire goes out]. Vacant land became the property of the Crown.

Article 3 gave Maoris the same rights as the British, allowing Maoris the right to travel, or purchase a home, anywhere in New Zealand, in peace.

Nowhere in Britain do forests, rivers, lakes, resources, seabed or foreshore belong to any tribe, if they did you would rich due to your British ancestry.

I agree with you. Your quote, “The deal was signed between Crown and Maori to set up a process to allow for the transfer of land from native title to British sovereign control.” End your quote.

You lead me to believe you think British were excluded from te Tiriti. Please read Article 1, where New Zealand became British soil and reread your quote above.

Re your numbered questions:1: Yes.2: Correct, possessions.3: Yes to Young. The Littlewood Treaty is neither a treaty nor a translation, it is Hobsons official English draft. Should confusion arrise as to the meaning of the Maori translation, it may be used to interpret.4: The present Maori language bears no resemblance to the original, by reason of the missionaries and politicians who change it to suit their ideals. Moreore and “treasures” were given as examples. A sad part of our history.5: Be honest. If the original Celts were recognised they would be as thick on the ground as Maoris, for the same reasons. Cook and Tasman wouldn’t be rcognised though.6: Wasn’t stolen, it was freely given. If you were a freed slave, would you follow the culture of your masters or your benefactors?7: No idea who the first Celts were, at more than 3,000 years it’s too difficult to trace. All that is known is the culture and the fact there is no evidence of unrest prior to Maoris.It was Hone Heki [or a name close to this] who traded his British gifts for muskets, in Australia, that were used to trigger the Maori Musket War.8: Yes. And the hongi is Ancient Celtic, used as a defense against TB.

May I quote to you from the Hon. Apirana Ngata. “Let me issue a word of warning to those who are in the habit of bandying the name of the Treaty around to be very careful least it be made the means of incurring certain liabilities under the law which we do not know and which are being born only by the Pakeha.” End quote.

History lesson number two.

Justin July 11th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
“This was necessary for Britain to make and uphold laws aimed at bringing peace Maoris asked for.”

I have to ask this, do you understand the implications of English Common Law on Maori rights to forests, rivers, lakes, etc?

“Nowhere in Britain do forests, rivers, lakes, resources, seabed or foreshore belong to any tribe, if they did you would rich due to your British ancestry.”

I think you force this debate to contest the validity of tribal ownership, but aside from that debate English Common Law did give titles and rights of access out, so other than your tribe ownership debate, it is applicable and both the NZ Appeals Court and the Privy Council have agreed on this issue, and as you will have to agree, they know a thing or two more about English Common Law than you or I will ever know, right?

“You lead me to believe you think British were excluded from te Tiriti. Please read Article 1, where New Zealand became British soil and reread your quote above.”

The deal was between the British Crown and Maori hapu, which was later updated to the NZ Crown and hapu, and now its the NZ Crown and Iwi. British residents of this country eventually came under colonial rule with a pseudo British subjectship, and later again they became NZ citizens and lost their British subjects privaleges. But up until the signing of the Treaty at least, they were still seen by the British Crown as being under their control, British Subjects, so therefore their rights were covered not under the Maori side of the treaty, but as subjects of the British Crown therefore under the British Crown side of the treaty.

I think its been said a few times before to you and I will reiterate, the British Crown has never written their own subjects into treaty agreements with any other nation and they did not do so here either because there was no need. British subjects living in Aotearoa did not hold sovereignty nor legal British land titles to their lands and you will see this with the many pre treaty land sales that were reversed.

Neither did the treaty call upon the Pakeha of Aotearoa at the time to cede sovereignty since they had none.

Neither did the treaty request that Pakeha of Aotearoa cede the rights of Governorship to the Crown since the Crown already considered itself the sovereign body over all British subjects living abroad.

Neither did the treaty either set up special processes for the transfer of land Pakeha had aquired whether through trading or through squatting, back to the Crown, nor did it give them full chieftainship over their lands, settlements or properties which was made quite clear to the Pakeha when the Colonial office reaquired their land from them and in many cases they did not get back what they had.

So apart from your translation where you input Pakeha British subjects into the line where it says, “and all the people of New Zealand”, the rest of the treaty is most certainly not applicable to Pakeha as it was meant for Maori, just as treaties are used in this manner all around the world.

What do you think Apirana Ngata meant by that statement you quoted G. Graham?

Justin July 11th, 2009 at 11:20 pm

Oh and I might add, neither were Pakeha required to sign the treaty as Maori chiefs were, since it wasn’t intended to include them in it.

The thread does continue...

Starlight Reserve for the stars, the peace, the night.

Lake Tekapo

I agree with this proposal to create a night-sky reserve in the Tekapo and Aoraki region but I find some of the rationale for the proposal interesting.

"A newly-formed working party, involving the Mackenzie Tourism and Development Trust, has confirmed its intention to pursue New Zealand's first starlight reserve in the Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook region.

"We are going to ask for funding and support from the Government and local authority to cover expected costs in the future," chairwoman and former Cabinet minister Margaret Austin said yesterday."

"The importance of recognising and protecting the night-sky as a renewable resource and part of the cultural heritage is crucial to this area and to New Zealand.

We are very good at promoting tourism in daylight in this country and we need to be just as successful at night to double our business," she said."

It's not about the stars, or the peace, or the darkness, it's about the money.
We have other values in our society, apart from money, and those other values need to be recognised. They are just as valuable.

"Tekapo was being promoted as a mixed site with nature and biodiversity, exceptional landscapes, cultural aspects, tourism, astronomy and a quality night sky. ..

It is hoped the dream of a starlight reserve with international status will become a reality if the World Heritage Committee accepts the thematic study at their conference in Rio de Janeiro next year."

Good luck with the bid, I hope it succeeds.

Puketutu gets reprieve from treated waste

Puketutu

What fantastic news.

"A plan to dump more than 4 million cu m of treated waste on to an island sacred to Maori has been scuppered by the Auckland Regional Council."

I posted about this here. It just seemed insane to me and so insensitive to local tangata whenua.

"The 195ha island has been extensively quarried since the 1950s, leaving the southwest portion of the island "a series of water-filled voids", ARC documents say.

But an ARC/Manukau City Council consents panel this week rejected Watercare's bid, saying the dumping of waste would leave the island in a worse state and have "irreversible and adverse effects" on local Maori."

"The island was inhabited by Maori for up to 300 years up to the 18th century, and is considered waahi tapu (sacred).

At least 47 archaeological sites have been identified on Puketutu, though it does not have a high heritage rating, coming 240th of 242 listed geological sites in the Auckland region.

Iwi opposed the Watercare proposal."

Congratulations to the ARC/Manukau City Council consents panel, you have taken maori views into consideration and given them the weight they deserve. This will only lead to good things for your region.

Good elm, people and Ngai Tahu story

Elm

A lovely story about a tree, three women, and Ngai Tahu working together.

"A tree with special significance to the community recently found a new home in Queenstown, to the delight of the three local women who planted it more than 20 years ago.

In 1987, Joan Cooke, Donalda Anderson and Francis Lewis appeared in newspapers with former Queenstown Lakes district councillor David Bradford, when they planted the elm tree at St Omer Park.

QLDC community services general manager Paul Wilson said it had become apparent the tree could not remain in St Omer Park, due to a Ngai Tahu development.

"Ngai Tahu kindly arranged for the careful removal and storage of the tree," he said.
Mr Wilson consulted the women over a new location.

"They made sure I kept on the case and I'm pleased to say we came up with a great alternative location," Mr Wilson said.

Last week, all three women were on hand with Queenstown Lakes Mayor Clive Geddes and mayoress Sally Geddes, for the replanting of the now mature elm on the Stanley St-Gorge Rd reserve."

Great to see all parties working together in harmony. Elms are beautiful trees, and it is enriching to have them here.

rudd - insensitive racist

rudd - insensitive racist

So rudd thinks people should walk all over Uluru, well I think people should walk all over him for his insensitive comments about aboriginies. We all know that australia is just a big mess of racism and rudd confirms it. What a sad day for rudd that he is shown in his true colours.

"Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has poured cold water on a plan to stop people climbing one of the country's most treasured landmarks, Uluru.

A draft management plan for the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park has called for a ban on people climbing the 348-metre high rock, which is sacred to local Aborigine people and visited by 350,000 people every year.

Mr Rudd, who is in Italy for the Major Economies Forum, said while it was important to properly manage the country's natural landscape it would be a shame if climbing Uluru was banned.

"Obviously it's a question of public safety and managing important parts of our natural landscape," he told Fairfax Radio Network.

"(But) I think it would be very sad if we got to a stage though where Australians and frankly our guests from abroad weren't able to enjoy that experience. . . to climb it."

The prime minister said Uluru was a wonderful part of the country that he looked forward to visiting in the future."

What a joke rudd. You have absolutly no idea, it's about listening to the indigenous people and taking their view seriously. The 'sad' thing is how you and your people have tried to destroy aborigines and their culture. Have some respect.

LWJ - reggae fi Peach

I haven't forgotton Blair Peach.

Eye to Eye poked with sharpstick

I'm a fan of the type of debate Willie Jackson promoted through Eye to Eye. And i think it is a shocker that it is going/gone. We need more opportunities to discuss the issues that affect us all. And discuss these issues we must.

"Willie Jackson claims there is "no room for opinionated Maori" at TVNZ after the state broadcaster scrapped his current affairs show Eye to Eye.

"If you want to be a Maori presenter at TVNZ you have to be apolitical but it is a different rule if you are...Paul Holmes or Paul Henry," Jackson said.

"I just think rules are different for people like myself and [outspoken former Maori broadcaster] Derek Fox."

"TVNZ won widespread plaudits for Eye to Eye with Jackson chairing a confrontation between four guests, often with two pairs representing Maori and Pakeha interests."

TVNZ that's the group who indicated increased maori presence on TV by showing stats from Crimewatch.

Sometimes the discussions around maori and pakeha issues drops down to the 'conversation' level. Lets cut the crap and not pretend we are having 'conversations'. That word insinuates a two way discussion, and is really used to denote a one-way discussion. In other words, "lets work as a team and do it my way."

Lets have less conversations and more debate and discussions.

Free 'conversations' - this word has been highjacked by the Human Resource and management industries.

Hat tip - Tumeke

Kaumatua Kapa Haka Ka Pai!

Photo - Courtesy of Te Papa. Te Ropu Tahiwi. Taken at Kaumatua Kapa Haka Festival at Te Papa, 2008.

This year's Kaumatua Kapa Haka Festival will be webcast simultaneously as the groups are performing at Te Papa. The final programme is now posted on the Te Papa website at www.tepapa.govt.nz/kapahaka

Fantastic kapa haka festival on at Te Papa this weekend. I'm going to try to watch the webcast and hopefully be able to link afterwards.

If you are sick of the negative media i suggest you go to Happyzine and check out some of the good, positive things happening here and around the world.

test

uf5dhnqyg2

Doctors - designed to stifle screams

What a joke. Handshakes instead of hongi.

"The Ohakea Air Force Maori culture group provided the ceremonial challenge at Government House Vogel in Lower Hutt yesterday when ambassadors from Turkey, Brazil, Cambodia and Romania presented their credentials to Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand.

Under normal circumstances, ambassadors Mehmet Taser from Turkey, Renate Stille from Brazil, Chum Sounry from Cambodia and Mihai Stuparu from Romania would have rubbed noses in a hongi greeting with Maori cultural group members."

I find that deeply offensive.

"Draft guidelines suggested sick people in particular should not hongi, kiss or shake hands while on a marae or taking part in Maori ceremonies."

I'll get myself worked up if I continue on this subject so i have a question:

Why are health professionals-doctors always on the list to get tamiflu or get a seat in the bunker when times get difficult?

Why do we put doctors - who at best can fix the body (like a mechanic albeit more complicated) but really are just fluffing around, on an elevated platform. Why?

Are doctors given respect because they actually just are part of the longevity industry, which at the extreme end is all about prolonging life, at all costs. And they wear a white coat - which implies that they know what they are talking about - just like in the toothpaste ads. Haven't doctors just said they give out placebos 33% of the time and now they want to be able to issue a medical certificates over the phone.

And i know doctors are busy at the moment with the swineflu pandemic - busy making money too. They are part of the problem not the solution.

Doctors do a good job generally - maybe they are like oxygen masks in planes - designed to stifle screams rather than deliver air.

Who would you like in the bunker with you?

Don't climb Uluru

Uluru

Don't climb - respect the indigenous people.

"The traditional owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park ask visitors not to climb Uluru because of its spiritual significance as the traditional route of the ancestral Mala men on their arrival at Uluru. We prefer that visitors explore Uluru through the wide range of guided walks and interpretive attractions on offer in the Park. At the Cultural Centre you will learn more about these and the significance of Uluru in Anangu culture.

Anangu have not closed the climb. They prefer that you - out of education and understanding - choose to respect their law and culture by not climbing."

It's a pity that we allow anyone and everyone to climb all over Aoraki. It just isn't right!

Are shellfish canaries?

Oreti Beach - Takitimu mountains in background

It is a worry when this happens.

"The unexplained deaths of endangered shellfish on a Southland beach late last week was an "ecological catastrophe", a University of Otago scientist says.
Several hundred toheroa on Orepuki beach were lost in a mass die-back, the first of its type since the early 1990s."

"An estimated 58,000 toheroa lived on the beach and it was a concern some of the mature shellfish, which can live up to 20 years, appeared to have died.

Toheroa were located at Oreti, Orepuki and Bluecliffs in Southland."

We know so little about the sea, yet we dump crap into it as if everything will magically work itself out. These shellfish are the canaries of the sea. Yes they grow and decline in natural cycles... but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be concerned.

change to maori and get more employment for everyone

I cannot see any negatives to this idea of adopting maori names in Porirua. And the employment opportunities abound.

"Porirua City Council has moved to officially register its suburbs' names with the Geographic Board after it discovered just two of its 17 suburbs were officially recognised."

A council spokeswoman confirmed that it had received submissions asking for Maori names to be added to suburbs Whitby, Cannons Creek and Judgeford would be among those affected but would not provide details till the consultation period ended next month.

If adopted, it would mirror the recognition given to landmarks such as Aoraki/Mt Cook and Matiu/Somes Island.

The hill to the west of Porirua, Colonial Knob, could have its traditional name Rangituhi (sky glow) added if the submissions were approved by council.

Cannons Creek was named after William Cannon, who arrived in 1857. "

Colonial Knob - perhaps that should stay or be used somewhere else - it's such an evocative name.

Cannons Creek also has colonial connotations even thought named for William Cannon and not the weapon.

So the major problems would be - new signs (employment), new maps etc (employment), people get lost (guides - employment), considering the name change (NZGB - employment) bit of a trend here - i wonder how much employment we could generate by changing all of the names to maori?

maori party success again

Another big win for the maori party. It is fair and right that the Government is set to endorse a United Nations declaration on indigenous rights -- reversing the position of the former Labour government. About bloody time.

"New Zealand was among just four countries which last year voted against the non-binding declaration of the UN General Assembly that sets out the rights of the world's estimated 370 million indigenous people.

The non-binding General Assembly vote in September was 143 in favour, four against and 11 abstentions.

The other negative votes were cast by Australia, Canada and the United States. Australia has, since a change of government, this year decided to support it. "

Notice the four countries that have been colonised - no wonder they didn't want to endorse this declaration. It might mean that they would have to front up to their countries history around mistreatment and abuse of their indigenous populations.

Wow - the maori party need to consolidate now - it would be easy to get too worked up about the successes to date. Keep focused team and don't get your expectations too high because that just means the fall hurts more, and disappointments will come: the racists have just started and key is a populist.

key - finger in the air, checking the wind.

Yes key it is about the mana but compensation is due too.

"Prime Minister John Key appears to be backing away from the prospect of a multimillion-dollar settlement with Maori over the foreshore and seabed."

The rednecks haven't even started yet and already john key is flapping in the wind. i am concerned about where he will flap to when the big racist guns start firing.

"Key said at his post-Cabinet news conference yesterday compensation was unlikely.

"There seems to be a strong consensus that compensation is not likely to be part of the process in settling the foreshore and seabed," he said."

Ummm which consensus was that again john? A bit rich considering the Govt haven't even come back with it's response yet. Maybe it's your populist radar starting to ping!

dams undamned by being undamed

Edwards Dam going down

Put the dams up and then pull them down again. 10 years 420 dams.

As the NY Times states, "The Edwards Dam was the first privately owned hydroelectric dam torn down for environmental reasons (and against the owner’s wishes) by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Bruce Babbitt, the interior secretary at the time, showed up at the demolition ceremony to promote what had become a personal crusade against obsolete dams. The publicity generated a national discussion about dams and the potential environmental benefits — to water quality and fish species — of removing them."

The Greens have also noted this historic event and I have to say that I agree with russel on this one.

"There are lessons here for us.

Dams have made a significant contribution to hydro electric power generation, especially in NZ, and irrigation but they have major environmental impacts. They block migration, raise temperatures, reduce water levels, slow rivers, alter timing of flows, cut oxygen levels etc.

In NZ we have already dammed virtually all our large rivers. Our native fish and eels are migratory and dependent on wild rivers in order to survive. Native fish and eel populations are in decline due to the impact of dams and pollution. Trucking eels around dams doesn’t work that well and fish ladders have a poor record.

You’ve got to wonder why we are still having to fight proposals like the Mokihinui and the Wairau hydro projects when we should be learning from those who started damming well before we did and who are pulling some of them down."

Dams aren't the answer, reducing the need for ever increasing energy is.

one wrong righted - now lets engage the people

Congratulations - what a big week for maori last week.

"A ceremony in Turangi on Saturday marked the transfer of approximately $450 million in land and cash to eight Central North island Iwi completes of the largest single settlement of historical grievances by the Crown

"The Iwi that make up the Central North Island Iwi Collective are: Ngai Tuhoe, Ngati Rangitihi, Ngati Whare, Ngati Tuwharetoa, Ngati Manawa, Ngati Whakaue, and Raukawa and the affiliate Te Arawa iwi and hapu that make up Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa. Together these iwi have more than a 110,000 members.

The Crown forest lands in the Central North Island total more than 176,000 ha. They include the following forests: Kaingaroa, Waimihia, Crater, Horohoro, Pureora South, Taurewa, Tokorangi Waituhi and Whakarewarewa. These forests are owned by the holders of Crown Forest Licenses and the land, until it was transferred to the CNI Collective, was owned by the Crown."

It is so fantastic that the trend line for claim settlements is going up not down. But the return of stolen assets is just the beginning, now the engagement with hapu and whanau is most important, because we don't want Iwi organisations to be sitting on massive money while the people suffer.

Conflict of interest with water

I agree with the Greens here, it is outrageous that

"Advocates for New Zealand's biggest water polluters have been handed a contract to write a 10-year Government water strategy."

"The Green Party is outraged DairyNZ, which represents dairy farmers, received the uncontested contract to do the work for the state-funded Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST) in what MP Jeanette Fitzsimons says is "such an obvious conflict of interest."

"DairyNZ employee and former FRST investment strategy general manager David Johns will conduct the review."

We're not suggesting any criticism of David Johns. The problem is with the foundation that the foundation thought it was OK to ask an organisation which is funded by and represents the biggest polluters of water to design a research strategy for the Government to try to clean up water, a strategy for all Government-funded research of water quality.

"We've got no problem with farmers and dairy farmers being involved, but to be in charge of it, that is quite major."

And this sums it up nicely:

"DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle said it would not have released Johns to do the work without satisfying itself there was no conflict of interest.

An FRST file note released under the OIA said Johns' employer "has an interest in the outcome of the strategy in that it would be a future beneficiary."

Released from his role to do the work because his employer has an interest in the outcome as a beneficiary. And they can see no conflict of interest.

Are the Government serious about protecting our waterways and creating a water strategy that works - or are they just looking after their mates.

Seems like mates are more important than the water to me.

we have nothing to fear

The quote of the week in the Dominion on Saturday is from Pita Sharples and he says, “Yay, we have won access for the pakeha to the beach.”

If the Foreshore and Seabed Act is repealed and if maori then get the right to challenge in the court – where have we actually got to? I think we will still be below the line. Maori will have received the same rights as everyone else – but is that good enough? Sure any future challenge in the courts, assuming the above happens, might be won and that could vest rights with maori.

Michael laws in Sunday's SST says, “There is little point having a right unless one can exert and utilise it.”

That is correct and it will be interesting to see how this area pans out after the Government comes back with it's response to the report.

Much of the opposition to maori being given their rights is based upon the fear that maori would stop kiwis going to the beach. It still seems to be the major fear. Certainly that was how TV1 led their news after the report was released. What is the deeper articulation of that fear?

From michael laws in the SST on Sunday again, ”It remains one of lifes mysteries as to why those migrants who scrambled onto New Zealand's shores first are provided a status that exaults their citizenship above all others. This is a nation built by many waves of migrants – maori, European, Pacific Islander, Asian, South African. That one has precedence is ridiculous and racist.

Indeed, there has already been too much liberal bending on this matter. all that has occurred, as a consequence, is that every new concession has just delivered a new quest. The ultimate aim of the Maori Party and others being the development of a seperate Maori state and/or recognition of Maori as supercitizens.”

The problem with michaels analysis that maori are just the first migrant group, is, that if maori are told to bugger off to where they came from, where would they go? Compare that to everyone else that lives here. Maori are the indigenous people of this land, it is self evident and endorsed by michael himself in his statement. The only discussion is around the term 'migrant' and what that means in relation to first peoples.

In terms of the michaels point about the ultimate aim of the maori party and others – I hope he's right! That would be a good place to reach for the development of the potential of this country. We must build this country on truth, trust and fairness not the illusions we have today. And those qualities won't manifest until we accept maori as the indigenous people of this land: the tangata whenua. When that happens and michaels fears are realised, then we will be able to begin the process of rebuilding this country into its full potential.

Michaels real concern is that if maori were given their super citizenship, they would treat him the way that they have been treated. But they wouldn't. Maori are not like you michael, they think with a different worldview. And vengence, much against popular racist mythology, is not the overriding driver for maori.

The fear of being left out and not considered, is strong, we are a social animal and I can well understand where michael is coming from, but the maori worldview is inclusive not exclusive. Non-maori have nothing to fear from a maori reinvigoration, and they have everything to gain.

As Pita Sharples so aptly put it, “Yay, we have won access for the pakeha to the beach.”

Education failing maori - Rawiri Taonui

I have posted before about my admiration for the writing and anaysis of Rawiri Taonui. He is one of my favorite commentators. This from the ODT yesterday.

"Education failing Maori

Open university entry for Maori is one solution for a school system that continues to under-deliver to young Maori.

The Hunn Report first documented Maori under-performance in the 1960s.

Understanding has come a long way since.

Maori fail in education because education fails Maori.

The destruction of pre-contact wananga (schools), subjugation of tohunga (priests) and attempted obliteration of te reo nearly annihilated ancestral institutions for knowledge preservation and transmission.

Based on false notions of intellectual, cultural and moral superiority, the assimilationist system that replaced them tried to Europeanise Maori into a menial under-class.

The seminal 1980 Royal Commission on Social Policy described it thus - "thousands of Maori are being subjected to a process of schooling that atrophies their potential because the majority of teachers are middle-class and monocultural; they know little of things Maori, speak only English, do not consider Maori language important, consider Pakeha culture superior to Maori culture, and hold low expectations for Maori".

These problems continue today.

While educators recognise prejudice in the outside world, they find it difficult to accept that their institutions reflect those same inequalities.

They are therefore often well-intentioned and assume they know best, but they are patronising in ways that undermine the aspirations of the minority they believe they help.

Some argue Maori underperformance is purely socioeconomic - 35% of Maori who do well come from higher socioeconomic groups and 45% are from high decile schools, while only 20% of Maori from poor families and 18% from low decile schools do well.

However, socioeconomic status is not the sole determinant - Pakeha from higher and lower socioeconomic groups do better than their Maori equivalents.

Asinine ahistorical anti-Maori commentators blame Maori culture and parents.

There are issues of abuse and violence.

Tamariki are five times more likely to be raised by single mums, and 40% of Maori women suffer partner abuse.

However, rather than being endemic, these problems derive from cumulative inter-generational cultural alienation and impoverishment.

Maori mums and dads have in fact shown massive commitment to the education of their children.

Maori parents are 15% of the population but 19% of all school trustees.

They drove the rise of kohanga reo, tikanga reo rua (bilingual-lingual) kura kaupapa (primary immersion), whare kura (secondary immersion), wananga (Maori universities), te reo becoming an official language, the incorporation of the Treaty of Waitangi in the Education Act (1989) and the first Maori Education Strategy (1999).

Moreover, the maxim of brown people failing in white education has only ever changed under the advocacy of Maori parents.

The proportion of Maori with at least one high school qualification has risen to 54%.

The number of Maori with level two NCEA or higher had doubled by 2005.

Maori do better than Pakeha across a broader range of subjects.

The number leaving school with no formal attainment dropped from 40% to 25% in 2005.

Between 2002 and 2007, the number of Maori leaving school with university entry qualifications rose from 9% to 18%.

Numbers in tertiary education have doubled to 91,000.

Nevertheless, Maori are still far behind non-Maori.

Only 2% achieve excellence in NCEA, just 58% pass standards for numeracy and literacy against 75% for Pakeha, and 50% of Maori boys leave school without qualifications, compared with 20% of Pakeha boys.

Maori are three times more truant, and account for 40% of early leaving exemptions and 50% of expulsions.

They comprise over half of those in Teen Parent Units, and 60% in alternative options when mainstream doesn't work.

Twenty percent fewer Maori 16 and 17-year olds attend school, and 40% leave school before age 17 compared with 30% of Pakeha.

Fifty-six percent leave without NCEA 2 compared with 34% for Pakeha.

Three times as many - 35% to 12% - leave with no qualifications.

At current rates of progress, it will take two to three generations before schools deliver equality. That is too long.

Maori will comprise 30% of all school kids within one generation.

In the meantime, it is unjust to ask the Maori we fail to wait until reaching the age of 20 when they can exercise the open right to enrol at university.

Maori do better in Maori immersion and bilingual units. Year 11 candidates at bilingual schools are more likely to meet NCEA 1 literacy and numeracy standards than Maori in English medium units and are also closing in on mainstream Pakeha.

However, there are not enough such units or teachers - 83% of Maori kids remain in non-reo units, 92% are in mainstream schools of which Ero says only 42% deliver effectively to Maori.

Maori also do better where schools have programmes like Aim-hi, a multicultural teaching programme in nine Auckland Schools; Te Kauhua, which bridges gaps between schools and Maori communities (30 schools in six years); and the Kotahitanga programme which addresses teaching practices and attitudes - Maori pass rates have improved up to 15% at NCEA 1, 22% at NCEA 2, and 30% at NCEA 3.

We need new and broader strategies.

Increase the proportion of Maori principals, administrators and teachers to 30%.

Maori are 20% of students but only 12% of principals and just 8% of staff.

Te reo Maori must be compulsory for students and teachers.

The days of monolinguals in charge is over.

In continental Europe, learning the language of your neighbour is axiomatic to living alongside them.

And, let's not forget, universities have similar prejudices.

Middle-class Maori do well in science and engineering.

Maori do better in Maori-led units.

But Pakeha-dominated colleges and faculties fail as many as 50% or more of all first-year Maori students for the same reasons schools do.

There are any number of successful bridging programmes at wananga, polytechs and universities that cater to Maori wanting to re-enter the system before turning 20.

There are also very many Maori second-chance success stories - failed at school, succeeded at university is common.

Open entry is about broadening pathways and options to address prejudiced barriers.

The right to education is a universal one.

Maori must have more than one pathway through a system that is failing.

I have a student who came through an accelerated programme.

His school refused his initial application.

Like all good future Maori parents, he applied by himself: starting at 16, he has straight As and will be enrolled in a PhD course at 21."

Maori solutions to issues facing maori.

Humour from mr trotter's blog and indigenous Yanomamo

I feel a bit international today. I came across this post and I haven't belly laughed as much for a long time. Well certainly since yesterday when the comment from LukeH after Mr trotters poem really deserves to be in the top 10 classic comments of the year. I hope someone compiles a list that we, in the blogosphere, can all vote on.

Anyway back to the very funny post. And what was so funny about it? The superiority of the coloniser against the colonised is always assumed. But many indigenous people actually have a sense of humour and play the coloniser against their own prejudices and preconcieved ideas of superiority.

"1. Chagnon meets the Yanomamo:

My heart began to pound as we approached the village and heard the buzz of activity within the circular compound. Mr. Barker commented that he was anxious to see if any changes had taken place while he was away and wondered how many of them had died during his absence. I nervously felt my back pocket to make sure that my notebook was still there and felt personally more secure when I touched it.

The entrance to the village was covered over with brush and dry palm leaves. We pushed them aside to expose the low opening to the village. The excitement of meeting my first Yanomamo was almost unbearable as I duck-waddled through the low passage into the village clearing.

I looked up and gasped when I saw a dozen burly, naked, sweaty, hideous men staring at us down the shafts of their drawn arrows! Immense wads of green tobacco were stuck between their lower teeth and lips making them look even more hideous, and strands of dark-green slime dripped or hung from their nostrils—strands so long that they clung to their pectoral muscles or drizzled down their chins. We arrived at the village while the men were blowing a hallucinogenic drug up their noses. One of the side effects of the drug is a runny nose. The mucus is always saturated with the green powder and they usually let it run freely from their nostrils. My next discovery was that there were a dozen or so vicious, underfed dogs snapping at my legs, circling me as if I were to be their next meal. I just stood there holding my notebook, helpless and pathetic. Then the stench of the decaying vegetation and filth hit me and I almost got sick. I was horrified. What kind of welcome was this for the person who came here to live with you and learn your way of life, to become friends with you? They put their weapons down when they recognized Barker and returned to their chanting, keeping a nervous eye on the village entrances…

As we walked down the path to the boat, I pondered the wisdom of having decided to spend a year and a half with these people before I had even seen what they were like. I am not ashamed to admit that had there been a diplomatic way out, I would have ended my fieldwork then and there. I did not look forward to the next day—and months—when I would be left alone with the Yanomamo; I did not speak a word of their language, and they were decidedly different from what I had imagined them to be. The whole situation was depressing, and I wondered why I ever decided to switch from physics and engineering in the first place. I had not eaten all day, I was soaking wet from perspiration, the bareto were biting me, and I was covered with red pigment, the result of a dozen or so complete examinations I had been given by as many very pushy Yanomamo men. These examinations capped an otherwise grim day. The men would blow their noses into their hands, flick as much of the mucus off that would separate in a snap of the wrist, wipe the residue into their hair, and then carefully examine my face, arms, legs, hair, and the contents of my pockets. I asked Barker how to say, ‘Your hands are dirty’; my comments were met by the Yanomamo in the following way: They would ‘clean’ their hands by spitting a quantity of slimy tobacco juice into them, rub them together, grin, and then proceed with the examination.

2. The Yanomamo make a fool of Chagnon:

At first I tried to use kinship terms alone to collect genealogies, but Yanomamo kinship terms, like the kinship terms in all systems, are ambiguous at some point because they include so many possible relatives (as the term ‘uncle’ does in our own kinship system). Again, their system of kin classification merges many relatives that we ’separate’ by using different terms: They call both their actual father and their father’s brother by a single term, whereas we call one ‘father’ and the other ‘uncle.’ I was forced, therefore, to resort to personal names to collect unambiguous genealogies or ‘pedigrees’. They quickly grasped what I was up to and that I was determined to learn everyone’s ‘true name’, which amounted to an invasion of their system of prestige and etiquette, if not a flagrant violation of it. They reacted to this in a brilliant but devastating manner: They invented false names for everybody in the village and systematically learned them, freely revealing to me the ‘true’ identities of everyone. I smugly thought I had cracked the system and enthusiastically constructed elaborate genealogies over a period of some five months. They enjoyed watching me learn their names and kinship relationships. I naively assumed that I would get the ‘truth’ to each question and the best information by working in public. This set the stage for converting my serious project into an amusing hoax of the grandest proportions. Each ‘informant’ would try to outdo his peers by inventing a name even more preposterous or ridiculous than what I had been given by someone earlier, the explanations for discrepancies being “Well, he has two names and this is the other one.’ They even fabricated devilishly improbable genealogical relationships, such as someone being married to his grandmother, or worse yet, to his mother-in-law, a grotesque and horrifying prospect to the Yanomamo. I would collect the desired names and relationships by having my informant whisper the name of the person softly into my ear, noting that he or she was the parent of such and such or the child of such and such, and so on. Everyone who was observing my work would then insist that I repeat the name aloud, roaring in hysterical laughter as I clumsily pronounced the name, sometimes laughing until tears streamed down their faces. The ‘named’ person would usually react with annoyance and hiss some untranslatable epithet at me, which served to reassure me that I had the ‘true’ name. I conscientiously checked and rechecked the names and relationships with multiple informants, pleased to see the inconsistencies disappear as my genealogy sheets filled with those desirable little triangles and circles, thousands of them.

My anthropological bubble was burst when I visited a village about 10 hours’ walk to the southwest of Bisaasi-teri some five months after I had begun collecting genealogies on the Bisaasi-teri. I was chatting with the local headman of this village and happened to casually drop the name of the wife of the Bisaasi-teri headman. A stunned silence followed, and then a villagewide roar of uncontrollable laughter, choking, gasping, and howling followed. It seems that I thought the Bisaasi-teri headman was married to a woman named “hairy cunt.” It also seems that the Bisaasi-teri headman was called ‘long dong’ and his brother ‘eagle shit.’ The Bisaasi-teri headman had a son called “asshole” and a daughter called “fart breath.”

And so on. Blood welled up to my temples as I realized that I had nothing but nonsense to show for my five months of dedicated genealogical effort, and I had to throw away almost all the information I had collected on this the most basic set of data I had come there to get. I understood at that point why the Bisaasi-teri laughed so hard when they made me repeat the names of their covillagers, and why the ‘named’ person would react with anger and annoyance as I pronounced his ‘name’ aloud."

Classic indeed!

Song from India

In India they are also concerned about the destruction of the environment to further the interests of developers.



The more we can recognise that the struggles here are matched in many countries around the world and that what we want here is not weird or unusual but normal and common, then the more we will be able to make gains and solidify improvements.

Indigenous victory - here, there and everywhere

There are many indigenous struggles around the world, and many small but significant victories.

"On the same day Peru’s Congress voted to repeal two controversial laws, signaling an end to the National Mobilization of Indigenous Peoples of Peru, the Ngobe People of Western Panama won a major victory of their own.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) called for the suspension of all activities connected to the Chan-75 Dam, which is being built across the Changuinola River on traditional Ngobe lands by the government of Panama and a subsidiary of the Virginia-based AES Corporation."

Hmmmm we don't hear much about the Ngobe people of Western Panama on TV1 or TV3.

"For the past two years the Ngobe have been subjected to cruel and vicious abuses for speaking out against the dam and refusing to sacrifice their livelihoods for it. Pregnant Women have been stripped and humiliated, Community members have been forced to sign documents at gunpoint, and many others have been physically beaten."

"The commission's ruling results from a petition filed last year by the Ngobe, after AES-Changuinola began bulldozing houses and farming plots. When the Ngöbe protested the destruction of their homes, the government sent in riot police who beat and arrested villagers, including women and children, and then set up a permanent cordon around the community to prevent anyone from entering the area.

"We are thrilled to have the commission take these measures to protect Ngobe communities," said Ellen Lutz, executive director of the nonprofit Cultural Survival and lead counsel for the Ngobe. "We are hopeful that this will help the government of Panama and AES recognize their obligation to respect Ngobe rights."

The government must adopt necessary measures to guarantee the Ngobe people's basic human rights, including their rights to life, physical security, and freedom of movement, and to prevent violence or intimidation against them, ordered the commission, which is a body of the Organization of American States."

Basic human rights!

And what about this damn dam.

"Chan-75 would inundate four Ngöbe villages that are home to approximately 1,000. Another 4,000 Ngöbe living in neighboring villages would be affected by the destruction of their transportation routes, flooding of their agricultural plots, lack of their access to their farmlands, and reduction or elimination of fish that are an important protein source in their diet. It would also open up their territories to non-Ngöbe settlers.

The dam also will cause grave environmental harm to the UNESCO-protected La Amistad Biosphere Reserve, an international World Heritage Site that upriver from the dam site. Scientists believe that there is a high risk of losing important fish species that support the reserve’s wildlife, including several endangered species, because the dam will destroy their migration route."

So the fight for right continues and just as maori can feel proud of the victory yesterday with the call for a repeal of the bogus Foreshore and Seabed Act, so the Ngobe people can feel proud of thier victory in slowing down (and maybe stopping) this dam. But as we rest in victory the next battle and injustice looms.

Repeal Foreshore and Seabed Act

Yes! - first bridge crossed - a few more to go!

"A review of the controversial Foreshore and Seabed Act says it should be repealed.

The 150-page report said the law failed to recognise Maori property rights as recognised by the courts and advanced the general interests of the public at the expense of Maori.

It recommended Government recognise that Maori with traditional interests in the coastal area have some form of customary title to it and the public have an interest in access and navigation."

In some ways it is impossible to understand how this review could have come up with any other result. What labour did was wrong.

Up to John Key now - has he got the ability to front up?

carters foot in the mouth

Aorere River

In today's world many things are topsy turvey. Organic food is twice as expensive as non-organic when it should be half as expensive. Parents need two jobs to pay the mortgage thus leaving their children to be raised by childcare centres when it should be that parents can provide the necessities and be able to spend quality time with their children. And now this:

"No farmer has the right to pollute but nor should environmental issues override the economic imperatives, Agriculture Minister David Carter said today." my emphasis

There won't be any economic imperatives if the environment is destroyed carter. How could there be?

"Carter said what the country needed to do was increase efficiency and that would have environmental impact, but he believed these effects can be mitigated or overcome through management or science."

They haven't so far so why believe that they will into the future. Wishful thinking that is very weak.

"Carter pointed to the fact that New Zealand farmers had world-class experience with farming, had free, efficient markets, and had a "huge advantage with water".

"New Zealand is blessed with an abundance of clean rainwater, but it doesn't always end up when and where we need it," Carter said."

Don't worry carter all the waterways and rivers haven't had all of their water taken away yet.

The blessings of this country are eaten away by the greedy ones. But it doesn't have to be that way. Look here for a success story about dairy farmers and water. That's the way it should be done not the way advocated by carter.

Looking after the environment is the only sane option - all economic benefits will flow from that.

Ko wai au?

A very big question - this response is softly thoughtprovoking.



Check out Happyzine for some good news - I recommend it.

Do you like the name Kowi?

Have you heard of kowis?

"A Kowi is person with a unique Korean and NZ fused- identity."

"The inaugural Kimchi and Marmite Conference ‘Finding Kowi’ last year discussed the Kowi identity and issues of what it means to be a Kowi. Building on last year’s conference, ‘Kowis in Action: When Kowis take flight’ will be more focused on offering practical advice and support for different fields of careers and pathways of study, as well as providing networking opportunities. The event is an open forum to inspire of younger generations of Kowis, as well as addressing and voicing their concerns."

What does the organisation believe in:

"Organisation Objectives
Celebrate: diversity and multicultural identity
Promote awareness: amongst Korean and New Zealand communities
Provide education and support:

Learning about "ourselves" as Kowis
Sharing this unique culture with the wider New Zealand society
Address key issues: In relation to multicultural identity, such as:

Identity crisis (internal)
Acceptance and belonging to a culture (external)
Self ostracisation or denial of heritage
General gap between parents and Kowis
Address key issues: In relation to intercultural relationships within New Zealand, such as:

Intercultural racism
Intercultural relationships
Cultural gap between Kowis and New Zealand society"

Okay, a few points from me.

I don't like the name Kowi - I appreciate the sentiment of trying to create an identity but we have to get the foundations of this country right before we can diversify into other internal catagories.

This is a NZ/Korean fused identity. Nothing about maori in there.

It is good that there is a conference - are there any tangata whenua speakers - explaining about the indigenous culture that developed in this land? Are there speakers who will explain about maoritanga and the history of this country?

I suspect these are retorical questions.

It is a mistake for people who move to this country to consider it multicultural. Once maori have been given their rightful place in our society we can move to biculturalism. Until then we are living under the yoke of colonisation. And under that yoke there is no NZ, just a house of cards built on illusory foundations.

Heroes of Ngai Tahu - the KMK team!

Kotahi Mano Kaika have just upgraded their website. What do KMK do?

"This site is designed to support families who want to start using te reo Māori more often in their daily lives. It's about more homes speaking te reo Māori to ensure the survival of the language into the future."

Ngai Tahu have created a sense of urgency around revitalisation of our dialect. It is probably fair to call it 'survival' rather than 'revitalisation' because the number of fluent or intergenterational speakers, whilst growing, is still well below where it should be.

It is difficult to imagine a group who deserve the title, 'Ngai Tahu heroes' more than the dedicated team working on this kaupapa. Please keep going.

This website is so useful, filled with tips, waiata, links and MP3's. I am confident we are going to get there.

Could NZ handle silent vigils?

I noticed this story about potential maori protest a few days ago. After the initial bulletin, and the follow-up comments from Pita Sharples, Tariana Turia and John Key - all saying that they didn't think this style of protest, where judges are targeted, was the way to go - it went very quiet. The line is that the judges are representatives of the Crown, they are just doing their job, and it is very bad form to target homes and families of judges with these types of protests. Hone Harawira has said that he is not going to tell his uncle what to do.

"Organiser and Hone's uncle Tass Davis, a 75-year-old former Auckland police constable, said he expected between 300 and 400 Maori would be involved in the non-violent campaign.

"Successive governments conspired to rob Maori of their birthright, leaving many feeling disconnected, poverty-stricken and disadvantaged," he said."

This protest feels deep and strong. I can see the non-violent protesters sitting and standing quietly, making powerful statements just by their presence. It has a Gandhi feel about it - and that is why John Key should be concerned. If maori ever organised themselves, into a non-violent, silent, intergenerational protest, then New Zealand would feel great disquiet. 'The natives are revolting,' style.

The reason that we haven't sorted out the underlying issues related to maori and colonisation is that many kiwis just see protest as "a few" non-domesticated maori rather than the majority of maori. Sure we have had the big marches but to the coloniser mentality - that is just a bunch of moaners who can't let go of the past.

If we begin to see quiet, vigil style protests, where kaumatua and tamariki stand quietly - no marches, no yelling, no protest signs even - just people. That will rock this country off it's foundational illusions.

And what about targeting judges? They do represent the crown and yes it will be uncomfortable for them but really why worry about that, when it has been very uncomfortable for maori for generations. Why be concerned about some judges and their families - it is a non-violent protest.
Are they the right target? The powers that be have already called in the dip-pro-squad. If MP's were targeted then the power of the protest would reduce. I am not sure if judges are the best way to go, but they certainly are on the list, if only because of what and who they represent.

And the maori party - what can i say about them. I'm with Hone and I disagree with Pita and Tariana. I back the party 110% - until they no longer work in the interests of maori. The decision from Pita and Tariana to back the Government line, because of their status, sails close to the wind for me, and creates the first real doubt that i have about them both personally.

How long are Pita and Tariana going to stay in politics? Will they contest the next election or is it time to do a Greens move and bring the successors through with plenty of time to get them ready for the next election - and the next election, I predict, will be the most important election in this country since it began! Why? Maori mana is not going away and needs to be expressed. Labour have shown that they still despise the maori party. The nats have done well but there are some big ones coming - like the Foreshore and Seabed today, for instance. The economic tsunami is just about here - i have read predictions of 20-30% of eligible maori not working. And then we add in all the non-maori!

This type of non-violent protest is quite different from the noisy type protests that i have been used to... but I think it could be the way to go and could provide the increased uncomfortableness that leads to real and substantial change.