welded to a stone, sinking

Pita Sharples is a leader who believes in going down with the ship but it is not his job to take the ship down just for hubris or ego. 

We have the potential 3-way leadership of the Maori Party debacle because Pita won't let go of the leadership or his seat in the house and now he has come out in support of Dame Susan Devoy as Race Relations Commissioner calling it "fantastic" and that was after Te Ururoa Flavell, one of the other potential co-leaders of the party, had raised concerns in parliament about that appointment.

Now both the other co-leaders of the Maori Party have tried to get Pita to bow out so that new people can come in and those calls are getting more direct.

NZH

Te Ururoa Flavell has suggested it is time for Dr Pita Sharples to stand aside for fresh blood to take over leadership of the Maori Party.

Mr Flavell told TVNZ's Q+A programme today that the party had to start thinking about a "succession plan" as far as its leaders were concerned.

but as stated in the article

Dr Sharples has rejected any suggestion he should step aside and previously said he will stay co-leader until he dies.

I used to admire Pita and defend him but I've said goodbye to those feelings and I wish Pita had taken my advice given so long ago, to retire with dignity and mana.

sullied waters

So The Maori Party and John Key the Prime Minister had their meeting last night and the Maori Party are pleased. It is interesting to look a little closer at this.

NZH

Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples had previously indicated the meeting was called to discuss Mr Key's comments which they said undermined the Waitangi Tribunal which is currently hearing the Maori Council's bid to halt the sale of Mighty River Power until Maori rights and interests in water are defined.

However after emerging from the meeting late last night Mrs Turia said "the main issue was that this Government would treat our people in the same way the Labour Party did by legislating away their rights".

Hmmm they seem like totally different issues to me. Key's comments have morphed into something Labour did years ago - but what they did affected Tariana significantly. She continues to try and exact revenge but I'd suggest she go to New York and get into Helen if she is so hellbent on retribution.

Mrs Turia was asked whether that meant that should a court decision subsequent to the tribunal find that Maori did have proprietary type right over water, the Government would not legislate against that.

She said: "That was what they told us tonight".

'They' - not nice Mr Key, or The Prime Minister, or Johnny - no it is they. I wonder who 'they' are. The use of 'they' implies wriggle room to me but who will do the wriggling, I'm not too sure. To date I have not heard key say it or agree with Tariana's statement.

Meanwhile in a joint statement issued by Mrs Turia, Dr Sharples and Mr Key, they said that both parties had agreed that when the Waitangi Tribunal report on the Maori Council's claim was issued that, "as part of developing their respective responses, the two parties will jointly discuss the matter".

Nice, a joint statement and key is happy to put his mark to this one. I wonder why. Could it be the slamdunk statement that they will, "jointly discuss the matter" - jeepers expect the shit to fly NOT.


So what have we got really? Joint discussions and that is it. Until I hear the words out of key's mouth about not legislating against any decision I won't believe it - and if he does say it i will still be unconvinced - key will not do it - they will not let him, and he doesn't want to anyway.

the drip continues

It has indeed been interesting watching the debate about the indigenous rights of Māori and water. Key the prime minister calls the claim by The Māori Council, "opportunistic" and that shows what a dim he is - hey key, how long have Māori been fighting for equality? Don't bother answering bankster I wouldn't believe what you say anyway. Perhaps key should heed Annette Sykes advice that key should, "either get a law degree or stay quiet about Maori water rights issues". 

Yes STFU because this following comment from key is outrageous

NZH

and I think that there's no merit in the case that the Maori Council is bringing.

No merit? How the fuck would you know key. Read all the evidence already have you?

The pressure is building on The Maori Party.  Maanu Paul

Maori Council spokesman Maanu Paul said it was "crunch time" for the party and co-leaders Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples, who have argued they need to stay at the Cabinet table to make a difference.

and

“In a Maori world, they should act like Maori – defend their mana, not the money.”

and from Annette Sykes

I beg Tariana, who I've got the hugest respect for, to sit back and reflect and in the spirit of Che Guevera who obviously influenced her last week, position herself for freedom and the rights of our people rather than to take money as a Prime Minister's friend at the table.

Initially i thought they would never walk but now I dunno, they actually could and I hope they do - for all of us.

 

Key has made a blunder with this whole fiasco and part of that blunder was to insult Tariana and Pita by not seeing them sooner. But i'm not worried about them, they have made their bed and if they did resign from their agreement with national, well that would be good, a final positive to add to the mix.

 

The wheels are starting to fall off - time to up the pressure!

past actions more important than future promises

We know that the gnats want to sell our assets and the weasel words about mixed ownership and so on are just smokescreens. Pita Sharples has clarified the position of the Māori Party

NZH

Dr Sharples issued a statement this morning saying the party did not support any asset sales at all.

there you go - quite clear - but what's this?

"While our party position is that we oppose the sales of assets, we are also placed with the responsibility of advancing the best position for our constituency - and unlike other parties - that means we need to listen and respond to the proposals our constituents put forward to Parliament."

Listen and respond - sadly I cannot take Pita seriously because when it came down to it last time over the Foreshore and Seabed the 'listening' was not there, not even slightly. In fact the evidence was there that most Māori opposed the solution but they still rammed it through. So i don't trust your assertions Pita and I don't trust that you would hold the line in any meaningful way.

sharples desperate

Sharples the Maori Party co-leader has told supporters at the party's campaign launch at the weekend that Mana only purported to stand for Maori. 

Stuff

"Rubbish. How can John Minto speak for you? Sue Bradford, how can she speak for kaupapa Maori?," he asked.

What he fails to understand that HE doesn't speak for Māori, as evidenced by the Foreshore and Seabed Repeal. Turia already saying she will not stand again and may not even make it through the next term. Hey Pita you should have taken my advice and retired but too late now and all downhill for you and your party. You supported key and all of the sick things he has done to denigrate Māori, like make it harder for whānau, making jokes about Tuhoe, drilling and exploiting our land and sea for money - you stood at his side while he did all these things and no one is going to forget it.  


Remember "we will listen to our people" well you didn't listen but in a few weeks you will hear.

Sue Bradford states it well

Mana was a "Maori-led, Maori-focused political movement", she said. It was led by Hone Harawira and Maori lawyer Annette Sykes and stood on a principle of upholding the Treaty of Waitangi as the constitutional basis for New Zealand. "Mana also invites anyone to join Mana or to support it or to vote for it." Mana wanted every New Zealander to have access to education, good health care and the things that made life full and valuable, Bradford said. "No one should miss out because they are not rich or white or lucky. "Everyone deserves a chance and Mana is there for everyone and that's why I'm in Mana," she said.

Sharples - I voted for your party last time and this time Mana gets both my votes.

looking towards the light

Well I have watched Pita Sharples and Don Brash on Native Affairs and I do think Pita handled it well - he kept on his message and used it as a Party political broadcast and that doesn't bother me. As for the don - jeepers some history lessons would be good but nothing will assail his ivory tower - his mind is made up - end of story. Lew has a great post up at kiwipolitico on the debate and Phoebe at Tumeke calls it for Pita.

I noticed that Pita also once again mentioned the people coming up to him saying "go for it". In his letter to don brash he also said the same thing and that many were not Māori . Maybe that is a natural consistuency for the maori party. They could focus on getting the party vote from people who support their approach, whether Māori or not.


Hone was also good on Native Affairs and I'm looking forward to his visit to this region. I think it is time for Mana to ignore Labour and just get on with winning the hearts and minds of voters. The seats are there to be won, and the party vote too. Simple messages repeated that confirrm and affirm the kaupapa and the inclusiveness of the struggle. It's time to look towards the light.

Pitas Dear Don letter

Pita Sharples has written an open letter to don brash. Pita is sad and disturbed by the Act racist divisive tactics but the telling off is pretty weak. It does give us a glimpse of pita's thinking and he is still comfortable in key's team. (Bolditalics = my emphasis)

Dear Dr. Brash,

How sad and disturbing to read your negative ACT party advertisement in the NZ Herald's Weekender - July 9, as you once again bring the Maori peoples aspirations into contempt and ridicule. Your views are not only inaccurate and ill-founded, but are totally out of tune with middle New Zealand's ideals and aspirations for our country.

It is clear that since your exit from Parliament, you have learnt zilch about fostering an inclusive culture to take our nation forward. Your entire article while posing as an advertisement for the Act party, is devoted almost entirely towards discrediting the Maori drive for a measure of equity within our distinctive genre de vie. Your own culture of ‘Maori bashing' is totally designed to appeal to that negative minority within our community (‘for party votes') and has absolutely no place in a modern society.

So, it is with some amazement, that I note the very positive measures that have been achieved through responsible negotiations between the National government and the Maori Party, have been listed and labelled by you, as negative. Surely, co-governance of the country's greatest river, Waikato, reflects and respects our history and our aspiration for the river; and equally, the inclusion of a Maori voice in the EPA and the RMA reflects our bi-cultural origins as a base from which to service all our NZ cultures.

In turn, the establishment of the Auckland Maori Statutory Board, recognises our largest city's unique history while promising a united future for the growth and development of the place that is home to the largest grouping of Maori in the world.

Dr. Brash, your divisive style of leadership that is used to discredit one section of our community, has no place in today's politics. As we emerge somewhat slowly from an economic recession, and give our attention to the revitalisation of Christchurch city and its community, and as we work to reduce our overseas debt, it is clearly a time for our nation to be united and working within an air of positivity.

And ironically Dr. Brash, the measures which you have condemned as negative in your party advertisement, are the very issues for which I am approached and congratulated for (on behalf of the Maori party's efforts in Government) by members of the general public EVERY day - sometimes by as many as 10-12 a day.

In closing, I would like to draw your attention to the various social, health, and human rights reports that summarise what many of us already know - that is, that Maori people are still amongst the most impoverished, the most marginalised, and the most socially at-risk communities in New Zealand. I do not see much evidence of Maori privilege in these statistics. Please do feel free to review such reports at your earliest convenience.

Kati mo tenei wa

Heoi ano

Na Hon Dr Pita R Sharples CBE, MA, Dip Tchg, PhD, TH, JP

Well at least he gave it a go, but not much teeth in there. The 12 general public comments a day must be nice.

I say no deal for The Mana Party on the seats with the maori party

No Mana deals with the racists of Act - they are nutters who believe there were people in this country before Māori as well as their usual racist claptrap.

On another note Maps has written an interesting post on the term kupapa and how it is used willy nilly by people. I never use the term and will not.

 

ever decreasing circles

The plastic waka controversy - it seems a non-issue - if local tangata whenua want to do it - then they can, they have negotiated a good deal. but there are some real issues around this waka. Personally I'd rather they actually carved a waka in front of people - show the skills and abilities and for me a plastic waka is meaningless.

 A real issue is that this is the only promotion of Māori culture to the supposed hordes coming for the rugby. That is it, apparently, although this post notes another. If true it gives tokenism a bad name. Some people wonder what tino rangatiratanga is, well in my view it is the opposite of what we have with this situation. The rugby world cup is marginalising maori by presenting a false face, and behind the illusion we are creating is real suffering, real issues that need addressing. You cannot hold a people down and expect there to be no consequences - they are there in every statistic. Nothing will be fixed without self determination, it is the beginning, middle and end. Nothing will be fixed while we hide from our truth, which we will have to confront at some point. The whole paradox of it is, that when that happens, we will all be better off.

Another issue is this murk around the fact that sharples, the elected MP, without tender, gave the contract to a group that are his constituents. This could turn out really bad for Pita, I'm afraid. At the least, it gives his opponents ammunition but whatever happens the cloud has been cast and many will find it slightly distasteful, even if all the rules were followed.

To me the whole controversy reinforces why we need strong representation in parliment, why we need Hone to get this new Left Māori Party underway so that we can all hop on the waka and get to paddling. Self determination is a basic, essential human right - it is not based on colour or ethnicity - everyone, from any background can support that right. Tino rangatiratanga is not something to be afraid of, it is something to welcome. The truth will set us all free.

Hat tip - No Right Turn and Roarprawn

the soul's start slipping

Now the momentum has begun. And within the advance-avalance, the pebbles move and bump and impart some energy onwards. A new poll for Tamaki Makaurau shows Pita Sharples support has been slashed - really dealt to - and the slasher is in his mirror.

NZH

Horizon Research says his majority of 7,540 appears to have slipped to about 1,140. The poll shows Mr Sharples would get 47.8 per cent of candidate votes in the largely Auckland-centred electorate while his new Labour opponent, Shane Jones, would get 42.1 per cent. In the party vote contest in the seat, Labour would remain a clear winner.

I'm looking forward to Hone's new Left Maori Party taking these Party votes and showing the naysayers that all people, of any ethnicity, can support equality and fairness, tino rangatiratanga and kaitiakitanga and protect the disadvantaged.

now we are all crying

The hikoi against the replacement for the Foreshore and Seabed Act reaches Wellington tomorrow - big day coming up. The hikoi has made good time and the opposition have stalled the government, so the 3rd reading has not happened yet. The goal is to shame the maori party into changing and not voting for the Bill. That won't work but it will be the worst day in the world for the maori party MP's - they will be crying inside and out. But they have had their chances, they have had plenty of chances and they still refuse to listen to the people, instead they fawn over key, they back racist and unjust legislation - it will be a hard day for them, as they deserve I'm sad to say.

Hone says

“Now unfortunately that hikoi is going to get to town before the third reading so I think what this is all about is maintaining pressure on the Maori Party, positive pressure I would like to think, positive and polite pressure,” Mr Harawira says. He’s written to his former Maori Party colleagues asking them to withdraw their support for the bill.

But there is more happening tomorrow for the maori party

A contingent of Kaumatua, Kuia, Pakeke,& Rangatahi from the Kaipara & Tamaki Makaurau will be arriving at Parliament tomorrow between 1-2 with the express purpose of uplifting, retrieving, and returning a 6ft hook (Matau) and anchor (punga) which was gifted to celebrate the Maori Party’s 1st year in parliament, and express support for their mangai MP Hone Harawira. The group has asked that the taonga be placed below the steps of Parliament so that they may ensure the easy return of these taonga.

This is part of their statement

“It was perhaps a HUGE error on our behalf to assume, that the party would uphold such values as manaakitanga, in order to respond to Taikokerau’s concerns re this bill. And that the party would also continue also to fight to restore our TINO RANGATIRA status (as guaranteed in article two of Te Tiriti 1840) but now recognise that , that will not be the case, being that the party, expelled our MP for merely voicing the Tai Tokerau’s concerns, and that they (The Maori Party) have blatantly ignored over 90% of the submissions re: this bill, and endorsed a piece of legislation that may well be the catalyst for TOTALLY nullifying and or extinguishing our ancestral rights of GUARDIANSHIP, CHIEFTENSHIP, AND TOTAL AUTHORITY over our taonga (Wenua, Ngahere, Moana Katoa!)

If that doesn't make them cry, nothing will. I appreciate that the maori party leadership thinks they are doing the right thing, but they promised to listen to the people and they haven't - and worse they have ignored and disrespected the Māori submissions, so it is just not good enough, not by a long shot. I think the maori party leadership should retire and that the other two members should step down and that new people who are not tainted can come in. But that is up to them - i am fully supporting a new left Māori party led by Hone and backed by all people, from any background, who believe in tino rangatiratanga, fairness, equality, kaitiakitanga and support for the less advantaged. Join us we are going to make history.

Hat tip - Waatea News and tangatawhenua com

the point is sharp

Titewhai Harawira has the right to say what she likes and her words will be weighed with everyone elses words. Yes she is Hone's mother but as she says, "I have the right as a kuia of Nga Puhi... I am an executive member of the New Zealand Maori Council. I have been there for the last 40 years." The anger is growing and strong words often flame anger - I cannot say whether it is a good or bad thing to call Pita Sharples a "gutless dog" and also accuse Tariana Turia of using the party to make herself "look good". But Titewhai has the right to say it and I agree with much of what she says as anyone reading this blog knows. The time for worrying about hurt feelings is past - there is too much at stake - we need to be brutally honest now because we are not fighting to the death - we are fighting for life - the life and mauri of the maori party.

Footnote - Titewhai has said sorry to Pita Sharples for her insult to him. He has accepted it. Good mana from Pita and I am pleased the apology has been given.
I have just watched this interview with Hone - It shows the man, his mana, and his heart - he is a leader.

painted on ears

How long will the leadeship of the maori party keep their heads in the sand regarding their bogus repeal of the Foreshore and Seabed Act? Well they have both come out in support of the process and the reporting back without amendment but they are up against it because the membership are not happy.

Te Paati Maori Ki Waitemata -

Yesterday the Maori Party members of Waitemata hosted a public hui where the Te Taitokerau MP, Hone Harawira, addressed the electorate. In response to the MP's address the hui stated: 1. We have total confidence in the elected Te Taitokerau MP, Hone Harawira. 2. Further, we request that our Te Taitokerau MP, Hone Harawira, be returned to caucus without further ado. 3. Finally, we are appalled at how the mana of our Rangatira has been treated in the isolation process, excluding him from important matters and issues that affect Te Iwi Maori katoa ie: Te Takutaimoana; Mining on our whenua; Privatisation; G.S.T increase; and other legislative bills before the house. The Te Taitokerau members in attendance will be attending the Maori Party Council hui to lodge their dissatisfaction at the lack of proper process taken without proper consultation and communication to the Te Taitokerau electorate.

Tamaki Makaurau say

Maori Party leaders are facing a vote of no confidence from an Auckland iwi over the Foreshore and Seabed replacement bill. Tamaki Makaurau elders likened the party's support for the new legislation, in the face of substantial objections, to trampling on the mana of their ancestors. Spokeswoman Ngaire Te Hira said the bill was not what people marched the length of New Zealand for back in 2004. Kaumatua and kuia of Tamaki Makaurau are preparing for a hikoi to oppose the bill.

Another hikoi - yes maybe that will get the message through but I am not optimistic about that because of these type of delusional statements from sharples and turia.

Pita Sharples says “We've been negotiating every way right up until last week and we actually won a little clause which lightened one of the tests and right up until last week also iwi were making submissions on it so it’s sort of been the Maori people's bill in a way.” Yes Pita that is the opposite of what the people are saying

Tariana Turia says about Hone (without irony) that, "He has no respect for our authority. He has no respect for this environment. He doesn’t have any respect for the coalition agreement that we all signed up to and that we all agreed to. And he has no respect for the party itself.” That seems similar to what people said about her when she left labour doesn't it?

The maori party have obstacles and they are Pita and Tariana. Tangata whenua are not happy and they will show it.

the belly is ripped

The reason given by sharples for why Hone has been suspended by the maori party is strange. he says the maori party wanted to start the new parlimentary year off with everyone in agreement and "... Tuesday's sitting is the beginning of the parliamentary year and the party wanted to make sure the speeches given in the general debate are those of the caucus, and not what Mr Harawira "might like to dream up"." So this is a decision made to keep Hone quiet, to keep a pleasant face, to not make waves. And somehow this decision has nothing to do with the upcoming disciplinary hearing - yeah right. After years of dealing with Hone and "dreading the day" when he was supposed to suspend him, sharples now expects us to believe it is just coincidence that the day after waitangi day and 3 days before the hearing, somehow the straw that breaks the camel's back lands. Sorry pita that is bullshit. The instructions were given and then carried out - simple really. And pita should realise that Hone isn't dreaming his concerns up - you are delusional pita.

As for Hone - the time has come. Do not let this foolish bunch dictate the game but also do not leave - let them expell you and then when you come back they will be revealled in their true form. Stand strong and continue to represent the people. These events will rip the belly of the maori party and people will need support. Focus on the issues that are affecting the people - that is the kaupapa and important. Keep the angerpot simmering but don't boil it too hard. Smile at them often.

sharples and turia have already lost - they just don't know it yet.

I have just listened to maori party president bird say that they are following the advice of chen and they are correct. One of the recommendations is to fix the problem quickly - whose kaupapa is that? Who says that things have to be sorted quickly - why? Why not take some time so that views can be sought and people can have their say?

dirty truthy

the treaty

The waters around Waitangi are so polluted after the storm that they have issued warnings not to eat shellfish or swim, on the weekend of the rememberance of the signing of the treaty of waitangi - that is symbolic. When you combine that symbolism with the maori party releasing the findings that maori make up over 40% of Taranaki's unemployed yet are 14 percent of Taranaki's population, the symbolism of the dirty water is made real, right in front of us. The inequity is all around us - in all the statistics, in people's lives. The maori party way of fixing this, of being government and supporting the gnats agenda, has not done anything, other than make it worse for people and harder for them.

Hone preempting Pita's speech? well the gloves are off but hone's backers have been pretty quiet and that isn't a good sign. Perhaps hone would be better as an independant as Morgan at Maui St says. Any new party will not get off the ground now and sorry hone, the greens will not want you. Independant means you can pretty well say what you like, which will be a good thing.

the treaty?

sure we could go through the different versions with their different meanings, the misinformation, the lies, the fact that many didn't sign or those that did, signed the maori version. But you know, I can't really get the thought out my head of 40% of the unemployed in Taranaki are maori...

step aside love

News that The White Stripes are no more is sad but inevitable. Jack White is amazing and Meg is too. As a team they surpassed anything that could be imagined.

It is for a myriad of reasons, but mostly to preserve What is beautiful and special about the band and have it stay that way

Some thoughts on the maori party and how they could learn from The White Stripes.

Sometimes it is just time to go seperate ways and to go with those sentiments is the way to go. The maori party should consider this duo's example - it preserves what is "beautiful and special" - hasn't the maori party said that they have achieved what the wanted this term and that couldn't have happened without them being there. They had the courage to set the party up and go forth into no-mans land and even though I disagree and have been horrifed at some of the things they have supported - I still respect them for what they have done. The hope and aroha the formed the maori party and made this historic advance is beautiful and special and should be preserved.

The leadership have led the way and now it is time to step aside and allow the next leaders to come through. Age is a factor and even more importantly it is time to have a break, to put your feet up a bit and spend time with your whanau and teaching our young. Yes things will change within the party and the direction will be different but that is okay. You did what you did and now it is time for others to do what they will do. You have done your bit in this sphere and your voices and knowledge would be much more valuable out with the people. You could be very powerful voices. The new leadership will invigorate the maori party and you will be able to watch with pride as your party matures and grows and becomes effective in helping our people and eveyone in this country. Think it through Pita and Tariana - another 3 years? With all the changes the gnats have forecast? - do you really want to go through that. I ask you to not destroy what you have built but preserve it for all of us, for our children and everyone in this country - be special and beautiful - let the new shoots come forth.

I'm not voting for you

There are some facts of life around the maori party that we have to accept. sharples and turia have wedded themselves to the gnats and they aren't going anywhere. They should stand down - but they won't. The lines that the maori party have achieved much more by hanging with the gnats than by being in opposition, is true - to a point. Yes there have been some gains but the cost has been too high - the cost to mana and independence and the cost in votes - coming up. The maori party have stood by while iwi and maori have been insulted and ridiculed and they have done this deliberately so that they didn't upset the gnats. They have supported moves that disadvantaged maori and made life harder for many. sharples and turia have been sucked in and they don't even realise it. They actually think the gnats like them but the gnats like the support and the votes and they would scrape them off like shit from a shoe given the opportunity - like nearer the election for instance after a poll comes out. What will sharples and turia do then apart from cry and knash their teeth? Too late - who cares.


The smiley leadership of the maori party think it is all a big joke - the opposition to them via Hone, the multiple submissions on their shit replacement for the F&S Act but they are in for a big shock because they will shed votes as maori realise what a disappointing joke they are.


As a previous maori party supporter I will not give any of my two votes to them.

I have completed the maori party survey so that are fully aware of my views.

blue moon

Statements by Pita Sharples at the opening of an international conference on international development in Whakatane yesterday state the importance of the indigenous worldview. The speech is linked on TV3 and well worth a read. Within the speech are outlines of the maori party positions and also a good overview of many aspects such as the foreshore and seabed act, the colonisation process and the role of the maori party as Pita sees it.

From TV3 - quotes from the speech linked on TV3

We are not the Crown’s Treaty partner. As a parliamentary political party, we are part of the kawanatanga – the Crown side of the Treaty. All MPs swear an oath of allegiance to the Crown.

So it is not our role to be settling the foreshore and seabed issue. We are not a customary owner, and the Maori Party should not be making decisions for the owners. Tangata whenua must make their own decisions based on their own circumstances, and negotiate their own settlements with the Crown.

Yes the maori party are advocates for tangata whenua but they must reflect the views of the people not try to get the people to reflect their political solutions.

Pita also talks about the role of indigenous peoples

We have a responsibility and a duty to promote our culture of “sharing” community rights, and community ownership. It is important that all indigenous nations must accordingly rise up, and promote those communal sharing and caring values.

Indigenous cultures mean communal support and sharing – not user pays, not individual free enterprise, but enterprise that feeds back to all members of the community, of the society, of the nation, of the world.

We indigenous people of the world must survive and promote our sharing values within all nations. We have responsibility to do so – we can save the world from its own self destructive consumption, non sustainable, individualistic pursuits.

Well I can't argue with that but i do wonder if the compromises made by the maori party and the negative effect of those on maori nullifies the fancy words somewhat. "a prominent expert" in Maori culture and history Senior lecturer in Maori Studies at the Auckland University of Technology, Dr Paul Moon takes a swipe at Pita's speech

But a prominent expert in Maori culture and history says this is "outdated, 1970s-style thinking", lacking in specifics.

"To imply indigenous people across the world have a shared view of things is perhaps outdated," he says.

"When you start talking about indigenous world views, you're presuming indigenous people have one way of thinking, that there's no pluralism."

Thanks for that mr prominent expert - we now know what we already know - that maori have different views and different indigenous cultures have diferent views - quick hold the front page!!!

Moon didn't say if he considered that indigenous viewpoints could offer hope to the world - maybe he has a speech coming up where he can get a bit more facetime on TV.

hope springs eternal

Well the maori party have got their constitutional review and the terms of reference include reviewing

From Stuff

Maori representation, including the Maori Electoral Option, Maori electoral participation and Maori seats in Parliament and local government.

The role of the Treaty of Waitangi within New Zealand's constitutional arrangements.

Whether New Zealand should have a written constitution.

Bill of Rights issues.

Based on maori party progress to date I am not confident that this review won't be used to reduce rights for maori and further the oppression. These sentences outline why

''Of course, we will keep in mind that enduring constitutional changes generally require a broad base of support. Significant change will not be undertaken lightly and will require either broad cross-party agreement or the majority support of voters at a referendum,'' Deputy Prime Minister English said.

Yes the majority must support any change and will they endorse change that empowers maori and acknowledges Maori status as tangata whenua, the indigenous people of this land?

Why is change needed?

From Annette Sykes

Statistics continue to reflect the poor socio-economic state of most Maori. The Maori unemployment rate is twice as high as non-Maori, and 1 out of 4 Maori recieve a benefit compared to one out of 10 non-Maori. Maori are 3 times more likely to live in overcrowded household compared to non-Maori. Only 2 out of 5 Maori are completing secondary education with a Level Two certificate compared to 2 out of 3 non-Maori. While maori currently represent around 13% of the general population we make up 51% of the prison population. In 2006 Maori accounted for 43% of all police apprehensions. Maori life expectancy is 10% lower than for non-maori and maori are twice as likely to be obese. our suicide rate is 1.6 times higher than non-Maori and our youth suicide rate is twice that of non-Maori.

We need change and I hope that this review will bring it but I am not confident that the review won't be usurped by devious people looking to feather their own nest.

Our UN Review of Indigenous rights coming up

It will be interesting to see what the report says, after the visit of United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous Peoples Professor James Anaya, from 18 to 23 July.

From ODT

"Prof Anaya will review the issues reported by his predecessor, Rodolfo Stavenhagen who visited in November 2005 to investigate whether the Foreshore and Seabed Act breached Maori rights."

He recommended the Act be repealed and a constitutional review to recognise Maori rights of self-determination based on the Treaty of Waitangi and international law.

The Government is now consulting over plans to repeal the foreshore law and prefers to legislate that no one owns it.

What a joke - I hope Professor Anaya sees what a no-solution this national and maori party solution is. I felt a bit sick when I read this bit from pita sharples

"This Government remains committed to building and maintaining constructive relationships with Maori to achieve better results for Maori, which will benefit New Zealand as a whole. We welcome the UN's perspective of our country's progress," Minister of Maori Affairs Pita Sharples said.

Especially when I remembered this proposed extension to the 90 day period where an employer can fire you without even giving you a reason, from RadioNZ

"But Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell says the proposed change could add salt to the wounds of young Maori who are already finding it hard to get jobs.

He says the Maori Party will be vigorously opposing any move that further marginalises young Maori.

And I thought about what is happening in prisons to many maori, the double bunking, the reduction of rights, the increased likelihood of maori being in prison and being imprisioned. And i considered the GST rise, the cutting of night classes and the new provisions that have been put in place to restrict someone from seeking help from ACC when they have been sexually abused, and the unemployed, the abuse of Tuhoe and Ngati Porou, the destruction and desceration of our sacred places, of our rights as indigenous people, of the waterways and the land and all of the other government policies and you know what Pita - I don't agree with you. There has been a massive attact upon maori rights and the lives of all maori, along with the poor and vulnerable in this country. There is no pass mark from me.

I hope the truth is told but I somehow doubt that Prof Anaya will hear much of it around the government table.

Footnote - I have chosen to rant on about the things that need to be changed but there are some good things happening at all levels for maori and I want to acknowledge that too.

jones attacks sharples viciously with wet napkin

There are many options when considering how to beat your enemy. Some people like the king-hit approach, others the war of attrition and death by 1000 cuts. Shane Jones knows all this and he is a very good attacking weapon for labour.

This recent attack is a bit loose, a bit weak though. It was a scratch not a cut.

From Stuff

"Dr Sharples who will be at a hui at Auckland's Puatahi Marae today in an official capacity as the Maori Affairs minister.

Labour MP Shane Jones said this was evidence that Dr Sharples would "do what [Prime Minister] John Key wants".

Ummm - shane - he is the minister, yes the other members of the maori party attend as individuals or members of the party but sharples is the minister

"The independent perspective that the Maori Party formerly had on this issue is now over," he said.

hey jones how independant are you? methinks you have to follow the party line more than the maori party

"The transcending perspective is that reflected by the prime minister and his loyal ministers, of whom [co-leaders] Tariana [Turia] and Pita are two."

Mr Jones said he thought there was a very serious prospect that Mr Flavell and Mr Harawira would break away over the issue.

maybe but they will still be maori fighting for maori rights - not like you jones - why don't you stand in an electorate seat and let's see what support you actually have instead of slinking in on the labour party list.

"And you'll have Dr Sharples there doing the prime minister's bidding really," he said.

It must be tough to have to bow your head to goff. Jones has a widely inflated view of his own abilities and there is no way that he would consider that goff has any better skills and abilities than him.

"It's not surprising because Pita actually is a very obliging chap. Pita is very accommodating and very obliging and in that sense, he is very much the diplomat."

I am keen for jones to keep the pressure on the maori party but FFS get some decent lines and angles. This is death by 1000 cuts but that attack barely drew blood - in fact I'm calling it a scratch.