Monday, May 10, 2010

cowardly gnats

Cowards - that is the truth, National are cowards - all of those politicians are weakness personified. Te Urewera taken off the table in the negotiations with Tuhoe. It is their home and they still live there and it was stolen from them - pretty simple really - if you have a backbone that is.

From Stuff
"The government has made it clear to negotiators embroiled in discussions over Urewera National Park that its vesting in local iwi is ''unacceptable''.
Prime Minister John Key today broke with convention by announcing the government's position part way through negotiations, apparently to head-off the idea gaining traction at a hui this weekend bringing together Tuhoe.
Mr Key insisted yesterday the reason for ruling Urewera out of negotiations was because it fell outside the broad principles in operation for other treaty negotiations.
Tuhoe had proposed vesting the park in the iwi in return for universal access and universal rights.
UNIVERSAL ACCESS AND RIGHTS - not too scary key I would have thought. This is not the end of this story - in fact i believe this, if actually followed through, will be a major major point of contention that will cause untold division and conflict.

Update 1
Radio NZ
"Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says she's extremely disappointed the Government has ruled out vesting ownership of the Urewera National Park in the people of Tuhoe.
Prime Minister John Key says to do so would not fit within the generally accepted principles of other settlements.
Mrs Turia says the decision is devastating and the Crown is creating a fresh grievance.
Tuhoe says the Government has succumbed to fears about a public backlash.
Unfortunately because the gnats are really thick, especially pinocchiokey - they do not realise what they have started rolling with this - Tariana knows.

Update 2
From Stuff
"The Maori Party is furious with the Government for ruling out handing over Urewera National Park to Tuhoe and has accused it of acting dishonourably."
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia said last night the announcement was an outrage and issued a strongly worded statement saying that the Government should reconsider its position and Tuhoe had behaved with honour throughout the negotiating process only to face an 11th hour rejection of their key claim.
Speaking on Radio New Zealand this morning she went further.
"To have the rug pulled and take them back to square one I don't think is very honourable actions, it doesn't meet the fairness, equity and justice issues - it's appalling and I am extremely disappointed... I just don't really know the Crown which has committed these injustices in the past can actually create another one."
This may drop this government.

11 comments:

Country Lane said...

...and Pita and Tariana? Silent.

Marty Mars said...

At this stage - but it is pretty early - will be interesting to see if they knew of the decision before key rang Tuhoe... but we will watch and listen...

Country Lane said...

Mana Watch Day Two: nothing.

Marty Mars said...

It hasn't even been day one yet country - I've put up an update and would expect to do a few more this week.

Anonymous said...

Kia kaha Tuhoe! I was very dismayed when I heard the announcement on the news last night. Time to ratify the Treaty!!

Anonymous said...

No disrespect, Marty, but the Urerewa National Park needs to be kept in crown hands for ALL New Zealand, not just a priviliged iwi few. I am not being racist here. I am being anti privatisation.

Tuhoe's promise about preserved access means nothing. Look at Mt Tawawera. That area is a national treasure and must remain in public hands no matter how much the Maori Party and their mates scream. I really get sick of you people trying to stamp all over the kiwi recreational traditions.

Millsy

Marty Mars said...

I'm not offended millsy but you are wrong. Collective ownership is the opposite of individual ownership therefore you should embrace it.

I believe tuhoe when they say "universal rights and access" - I can think of many, many instances where the government has lied and broken promises to maori - can't think of any broken promises the other way.

It was stolen give it back. Tuhoe will protect the land and ecosystems a lot better than DOC, if they get the resources.

And as for kiwi recreational activities millsy - are maori allowed to participate too?

Apart from that - I enjoy your comments and attitude (about many things) kia kaha

Country Lane said...

Ok. Call this day one if you like.
A strongly worded statement.
And..............?

Anonymous said...

Hi Marty,

Sorry I havent gotten back to you before.

But the fact is, that there are numerous examples of Maori restricting access to conservation land when it has been passed to them in treaty settlements, and I really feel that this is the wrong way to settle greivances.

All New Zealanders, regardless of colour are able to enjoy the National Park system, whether it be hunting, fishing, photography, tramping, or just a picnic during one's lunch break. In a time when obesity statistics are tracking upwards, the recrational oppurtunites on offer in our national parks are needed more then ever. But once the title of that park, passes into Tuhoe hands, it will be lost to New Zealand forever, and we will have to go betting to the iwi elite to even take a photo.

You must realise, Marty, that the men who head the iwi are just as greedy and capitalistic as the white man. And they are forming an unholy alliance with the the extremists (you know, those who want to charge white people rent for living here), to lock people out of their own country.

Privatisation is privatisation, no matter what you try and dress it up as.

Millsy

Anonymous said...

betting = begging.

Sorry.

Millsy

Marty Mars said...

Well millsy i think we will have to agree to disagree on this one. I hear what you are saying but I cannot agree with many of your conclusions.

I just don't think things would be lost by this apporoach - i think they would be found.