catch up

This is a catch up post on a few issues that have caught my eye.

I support the call for all teachers to learn te reo Māori. I am glad that principals are coming out in support too.

Stuff

Compulsory teacher training in Maori language and culture is a move welcomed by college principals in Marlborough.

Some history...

In the 1986 Te Reo Report the Waitangi Tribunal stated equivocally that te reo Māori is a taonga. Within Article 2 of te Tiriti, Rangatira are assured of tino rangatiratanga over taonga [ō rātou taonga katoa (all their valued customs and possessions] and this is also 'guaranteed' [“confirms and guarantees the full exclusive and undisturbed possessions of their lands… for as long as they wish to retain them”], in Article 2 of the English version. The Crown's use of this word 'guarantee' indicates active protection not the inadequate and dismissive attention that the Government has achieved to date. It wasn’t until the Wai 11 Te Reo Claim in 1986 that te reo Māori and te Tiriti received legal attention, and the Māori language Act 1987 came into force. This Act recognised Te reo Māori as an Offical language of this country. 

It really is time for this country to grow up about te reo Māori. It is up to all of us to do our bit and save our language - OUR language. Me ako ngā tamariki o Aotearoa i te reo Māori ka tika, nē rā?

The latest poll showing labour's Kelvin Davis 1 point behind Hone is not a concern for me. I don't really care how Hone wins as long as he wins, and if he doesn't - so be it. I'm more concerned with Hone and Destiny and his endorsement albeit tacit, of their discriminatory position on gender and sexuality. Their views make me sick and I will not support them or a party that supports them. 

The controversy regarding the Taniwha Horotiu has been enlightening. Carwyn has linked to a really good article by Kepa Morgan on this and Mr Trotter has written a very good piece for the Press. Morgan has got rightly upset about the insulting framing of the debate and I agree with him. As for me - I don't consider Taniwha as metaphors. Where I live there are many Taniwha - believe it or not - I don't care and neither do they. 

Sorry about all the font issues - I can't seem to sort it at the moment.

a yawning gap

Ok - who leaked the plans to mr trotter?


http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/2011/02/could-it-happen-here-scenario-inspired.html


This post is amusing until you begin to try to reconcile mr trotters known views on matters maori and the scenario painted. The purpose of the post? Who knows - it is a rehash of a previous effort (Lew sums it up well in the dimpost comments as. "just last year’s masturbatory honkey revenge fantasy, rehashed to suit current events" ) - it could be over excitment at the events in Egypt but my interpretation is the purpose of the post is to generate fear and distrust of maori. Oh and also to have a go at the 'race traitors'.

Hat tip - Dimpost

three wise lefties

I have been following the peter jackson union bashing debate around the hobbit over the blogs with interest. The debate on the left has shifted to a discussion of unionism and what that actually means in terms of the relationship between unions and their members, unions and other unions, and unions and the state. Mr Trotter has a very good post here. Lew from Kiwipolitico has a great post here and now Maps has put a post up here. We now have three very smart left thinking people debating with each other this very important issue - go to the sites and follow the debates - add in your view and maybe also consider this concept of 'support no matter what because of shared values', in relation to maori struggles for tino rangatiratanga.

Update - Lew has posted a retort.

Te Rongomai o Te Karaka honoured by Mr Trotter

I have been pretty tough on Mr Chris Trotter a few times.

The writing I enjoy the most from Mr Trotter is when I feel his heart. This latest post is a good example where I really connect with the narrative and the emotions and the writer is part of that and infuses the prose with their unique voice. I encourage you to go and have a read.

I have posted about the desecration here and Maps posted here.

Te Rongomai o Te Karaka is gone now, blown up. Let's make sure this never happens any where else.

we don't care

I've given up on mr trotter - a while ago actually.


If you are interested in how the real left are handling the weeping sore that is mr trotter go and read lew's brilliant piece at kiwipolitico and also go to read Map's piece at Reading the Maps. The true nature of the struggle is exposed by the rancid stench from mr trotters putrifying carcass of ideas. Check out the comments and really think about the world mr trotter wants and how that fits into our world.


for example, mr trotter's start to a response to keri h in the comments on reading the maps,

"What relationship exists between Pakeha and Maori? It's a fraught question with a simple - but brutal - answer.

The relationship of the conqueror to the conquered."

mr trotter - sad, mad and bad.