Water rights hui

Written By: - Date published: 8:37 am, September 6th, 2012 - 115 comments
Categories: hone harawira, john key, mana-party, maori party, national, water - Tags: , ,

Next Thursday there will be a national hui on water rights called by Maori King Tuheitia. John Key is playing divide and rule, and thus has forbidden National MPs from attending:

Key: Government won’t go to water hui

Prime Minister John key says the Government will not attend a hui called by the Maori King over water rights because it rejects calls for a national water settlement.

Key also made it clear none of his MPs should attend the hui because that would cause confusion about them representing the Crown.

That’s a huge snub to Maoridom, and I think it is petty beyond belief, but that’s the call that Key has made, and it’s easy to understand where he’s coming from. More difficult to understand is the craven position of the Maori Party:

Maori Party likely to snub water rights hui

The Maori Party looks unlikely to attend what is expected to be the biggest meeting of Maori in 30 years – next week’s water rights hui.

Prime Minister John Key says the Government is also planning to avoid the meeting at Turangawaewae Marae because it does not believe there is any need for it. “We do not want to engage in a national hui because we do not believe that there needs to be one,” he says.

…That leaves the Maori Party. Co-leader Tariana Turia says she doubts they will be attending. “Well at this point I don’t really see the point in going,” she says.

Fellow co-leader Pita Sharples agrees. “We believe this is a thing that iwi/hapu have to work out themselves,” he says.

So the Maori Party is not going to attend the biggest meeting of Maori in 30 years? A party supposedly formed to represent the interests of Maori is going to leave iwi to work things out for themselves? This is beyond pathetic, and makes the Maori Party look like complete puppets to National. Hone Harawira thinks so too, and says so in very inflammatory language:

Harawira: Maori Party are ‘house n****rs’

Mana Party leader Hone Harawira has launched a stinging attack on the Government over its decision not to attend a national hui on water rights.

Writing on Facebook last night, Mr Harawira implied the Maori Party was controlled and led by Prime Minister John Key. “Notice how John Key says none of his Maori MPs are allowed to go to the National Maori Hui on Water … and two minutes later Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples say that they’re not going,” says Mr Harawira. “Not hard to see who’s the REAL leader of the Maori Party!”

…”Time John Key realised a few home truths like (1) he can tell his little house n****rs what to do, but (2) the rest of us don’t give a shit for him or his opinions!” writes Mr Harawira.

I don’t condone the language, but it’s hard to argue with the conclusions.

115 comments on “Water rights hui ”

  1. Who was it who was saying the other day that Hone is sounding more and more like a statesman? Hmmm

    • deano 1.1

      well, he’s referencing Malcolm X who was the leader of a black nationalist movement.

      The word n*gger is very strong, of course, but the term house n*gger has a very specific political meaning – it’s not about the colour of the skin, it’s about the willing subservient relationship

    • Colonial Viper 1.2

      He hit a home run with this one.

      • Enough is Enough 1.2.1

        No he didn’t.

        All anyone will be talking about now is his stupid comment. Nobody cares about the historical relevance of his comments.

        Hone has a way of grabbing headlines. In this case it will deflect from the good story.

      • King Kong 1.2.2

        He certainly has though this is just what you would expect from uneducated semi literate field nigger.

        Dont worry people its not offensive because Malcom X said it.

      • Colonial Viper 1.2.3

        All anyone will be talking about now is his stupid comment. Nobody cares about the historical relevance of his comments.

        of course, that’s the direction the Righties want to push it 🙂

        • Draco T Bastard 1.2.3.1

          That’s because, in their efforts to turn the clock back a few centuries, NACT don’t want people to remember just what they’re taking us back to as it will stop them becoming the masters of all they survey.

        • Balanced View 1.2.3.2

          Yes they do – so why are the so called left playing this game?? Why would Hone chose headline hogging language? Why would Labour come out and start talking the race card as well?

          This is exactly what National want – and it almost defies belief that Labour are giving it to them.

    • fnjckg 1.3

      touche
      very passionate people te tangata whenua

  2. tracey 2

    Key needs advice on the meaning of consultation if he is going to use it as defence to legal action. His not going isnt what will come back to haunt him, but his quoted reason, that theres no point because his mps would just be repeating that… Xyz is not consultation.

    Good win for us all and the environment, particularly rivers, at the environment court. Those farmers still polluting whether from ignorance or wilfulness cannot be protected anymore than any other industry that discharges waste. The irony is many dairy farmers are trying to access to the river for irrigation, so they understand rivers are important.

    If you choose to start a business which needs water in a drought afflicted area, such as north canterbury, tgen live or die by that decision. Dont expect us to divert rivers and sacrifice ecology for your decisions, poorly made

  3. ThinkOfTheCatapults 3

    As was mentioned on the Dim-Post (http://dimpost.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/that-word-again), the term “house nigger” is a perfect description of the Maori Party:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_Negro
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Message_to_the_Grass_Roots

    • Wow, defending the use of one the most reviled pejorative terms of the modern era.

      Stay classy.

      • ThinkOfTheCatapults 3.1.1

        The term, no.
        The context, yes.

        ThinkOfTheCatapults – Staying classy since 06/09/12 9:10am

      • Kotahi Tāne Huna 3.1.2

        lol yes all those naughty rappers are going to get their wrists slapped.

        In my experience expressions of utter contempt are rarely expressed in polite language.

        • TheContrarian 3.1.2.1

          I always thought political discourse was different from rap song lyrics.

          • Pascal's bookie 3.1.2.1.1

            lol.

            Listened to much rap music have we?

            ‘Political discourse’ is all up in that shit.

            • TheContrarian 3.1.2.1.1.1

              Yes I listen to a lot of hip hop actually…didn’t realise an MC rapping about politics was comparable to a politician speaking about his fellow MP’s

              • Colonial Viper

                Your PC sensitivities are quite overwhelming

                • It’s not “PC sensitivities” its about the tone of our political discourse. Much like throat slitting gestures (thanks Key) don’t have a place in parliament neither does calling your opposing party terms like ‘house niggars’.

                  • Colonial Viper

                    It’s not “PC sensitivities” its about the tone of our political discourse.

                    You’re more worried about tone than substance. And Hone hit the mark here. Key is the real leader of the Maori Party.

                  • Colonial Viper

                    It’s not “PC sensitivities” its about the tone of our political discourse.

                    You’re more worried about tone than substance. Hone hit the mark here. Key is the real leader of the Maori Party.

      • Tiger Mountain 3.1.3

        Hone is quite entitled to use a term that goes back to Malcom X in terms of modern politics and way beyond to it’s original meaning in US slave society. Right wingers sometimes call Greens “watermelons”. It is all about context and track record which is why money grabbing sexist gangsta musicians using “nigga” was so offensive.

        Hone Harawira was the only NZ MP at the time who could have credibly attended Australia’s “Sorry Day”, which he did. Mana members will give the water rights hui a good rev up. The only service the Māori party has ultimately done this country is showing the paucity of identity politics in the parliamentary setting.

      • Pascal's bookie 3.1.4

        Does ‘house nigger’ mean ‘nigger’? Or are there levels of irony involved?

        Did Malcolm X feel the same way about African Americans as the Grand Wizard of the KKK?

        Deep questions. Plenty of shallow answers available to avoid them though.

        • TheContrarian 3.1.4.1

          Fine, here’s you shallow answer:

          I don’t think the term nigger has any place in political lexicon by those in parliament…and I think if any other politician had used it, say someone on the right, The Standard and its minions would be crying foul.

      • Pascal's bookie 3.1.5

        NWA are a white supremacist rap group, obvs.

      • Carol 3.1.6

        And you a lot of Kiwis, don’t get the difference between the usual perjorative use of the N-word, and why it has become regarded as unacceptable, and the way Hone has used it…. as seen here and the accompanying online poll result:

        http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7623209/Harawira-launches-into-water-hui-debate-with-N-bomb

        As well as DimPost’s explanation, I seem too recall that it took a long time for the majority of people in the US, NZ and elsewhere, to understand why the N Word, as coined by, and as came to be used by, white people, is so offensive.

        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigger#Etymology_and_history

        It’s guess it’s going to take just as long for about as many people to understand the degree of anger and sense of betrayal, when the word is used by brown and black people against their own as a stinging criticism.

        Some are just slow to get the point.

      • deano 3.1.7

        If he can called them niggers, that would have been one of the most “reviled pejoratives” in our language. But he called them house niggers, which isn’t the same thing because its not a race descriptor. A Pakeha can be a house nigger if they happily toe the line of their wealthy, powerful bosses. More than one of the rightwing commentators here meet that test.

        • Tiger Mountain 3.1.7.1

          hallelujah! someone gets it. I wouldn’t use the term ever but “house nigger” partly means presenting as one thing while actually being another. Hence slurs such as ‘watermelon’ and ‘potato’. Hone is a Māori nationalist with a good deal of class analysis as well which obviously many find hard to deal with.

          Tari and Pete are sell-out merchants as described.

  4. tracey 4

    What was the meeting ms turia attened with her maori nationalist beret on? Wasnt that an issue for iwi and hapu too?

  5. Carol 5

    Winston’s answer to Key’s divide and rule tactics is for all of us to claim to be Maori now:

    http://nzfirst.org.nz/news/new-zealanders-encouraged-challenge-racist-policies

    New Zealand First says if cynical backroom deals between the National and Maori parties leads to preferential treatment for Maori over water rights then all New Zealanders should claim to be Maori.

    Rt Hon Winston Peters says such a move would force the Government to declare exactly who it considers to be Maori enough to get special deals on assets already owned by all New Zealanders.

    “John Key could write to those New Zealanders he considers ineligible to let them know they’ve missed out.

    • BernyD 5.1

      Go Winston Peters !

      • Carol 5.1.1

        I don’t agree with most of Winston’s ethnic/’racial’ and social conservatism, but I’d never vote NZ First. However, I think he’s about the best opposition MP we’ve got. He is focused, succinct, on target, and has a catchy way of putting things. And I mostly like the way he has opposed asset sales.

  6. Raymond A Francis 6

    So, is the Labour going to attend and if not what is their stance on water rights

  7. Anne 7

    Keep at it Hone. Tell it like it is. It’s such a refreshing change from his pathetic, lickle spittling, hypocritical former colleagues. He uses the word ‘nigger’ in the correct way. I’m reminded of the same hypocrisy over another word. It’s okay to call someone a “commie” in the most derogatory way, but woe betide anyone who calls someone a “nazi”.

    I really hope that Hone is wrong though, and no-one from the Maori Party will show up. That will be the end of the road for them. What self respecting Maori would want to have anything more to do with them.

  8. redfred 8

    From Malcolm X Autobiography

    “Since slavery, the American white man has always kept some handpicked Negroes who fared much better than the black masses suffering and slaving out in the hot fields. The white man had these “house” and “yard” Negroes for his special servants. He threw them more crumbs from his rich table, he even let them eat in his kitchen. He knew that he could always count on them to keep “good massa” happy in his self-image of being so “good” and “righteous.” “Good massa” always heard just what he wanted to hear from these “house” and “yard” blacks. “

    He goes on later to describe many of the other Black leaders in the 60s as House Negroes.

    From Hone perspective probably more than appropriate.

    • You’ll note the term ‘Negro’s’ being used instead of ‘niggers’.

      If Hone wanted to make his point (a point which may very well be valid) he should have been chosen his words better.

      • Colonial Viper 8.1.1

        Semantics. Hone scored the point with a bullseye. Maori Party full of House Negroes. (Does that meet with your approval better bro)

      • Tiger Mountain 8.1.2

        Get over it TC, Pascal’s Bookie put it in perspective upthread, you are not meant to be impressed.

        People use, abuse, mangle and reclaim language regularly, e.g. “queer”, “coconut”, “slut walk”.
        On FB Hone is getting the thumbs up from supporters “tells it like it is” etc.

        • TheContrarian 8.1.2.1

          I don’t have to ‘get over it’.
          I have an opinion and if you don’t agree, fine. 

          • Colonial Viper 8.1.2.1.1

            Maori Party = House Negroes

            John Key = House Master

          • mike 8.1.2.1.2

            Contrarian, Tiger Mountain didn’t say that you ‘had to’ get over it, he was simply expressing his opinion that you should. But of course erecting straw man after straw man is basically your whole argumentative style. (N.B. it’s getting old.)

            8.1 – You’re claiming that Hone didn’t make his point? I guess you’re entitled to your opinion, but I’m thinking it’s a nonsensical claim in light of the messages of support he’s got in social media, the exposure he achieved in mainstream media, the fact that the Maori Party has done a u-turn and is now attending the hui. “House negros” just wouldn’t have had the same impact, coverage, nor result. He made his point big time.

            Language is about context. If I call you a ‘c*nt’, that’s highly offensive. But if I call you a ‘good c*nt’, that’s a compliment (crude maybe, but that’s true in kiwi culture). Hone didn’t use the term ‘n*gger’, he used the term ‘house n*gger’. Google it if you’re not sure about the difference.

            Tiger Mountain is right, language is malleable, and the rules of how words are used changes over time. I don’t like people getting precious over ‘the n-word’. As I said it’s about context, no one owns language. It can be used in a powerfully racist way, witness Seinfeld star Michael Richards’s famous onstage meltdown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOtU6EjHjoY But it’s used proudly in hip hop, and as a term of endearment in the urban black community.

            He shouldn’t have used it because he’s an MP? Says who? You? To use your own words you’re a powerless nobody on a blog, so I’m just gonna go ahead and throw that self-righteous opinion in the toilet.

            I also think you should get over it.

            All I ever see you doing on this site is disagreeing with people, I suspect, for the sake of disagreeing. (And no I didn’t miss your handle, I just don’t see the point.) It’s annoying, lame, and most of all, boring. It distracts from a potentially meaningful conversation. Now I’ve got nothing against someone wanting to play Devil’s advocate, but the thing is you’re just not very good at it. Weak. Surely you can find something better to do with your time.

      • Adele 8.1.3

        The Contrarian

        African Americans would prefer to be called nigga (amongst themselves and definitely not by white folk) than to be referred to as a negro. Negro is viewed as a pejorative term whereas the other has become an affectionate endearment, of sorts.

        • Populuxe1 8.1.3.1

          I suppose you’ve asked them then? All of them? Or are you operating under the conviction that the whole US is one big Spike Jones movie?

          • Adele 8.1.3.1.1

            Populuxe

            Why don’t you ask Māori if they like being called a savage by you.

            • Colonial Viper 8.1.3.1.1.1

              according to populuxe’s reasoning some of them will be just fine with it.

              • Populuxe1

                By slandering me like that, CV, it’s patently obvious you wouldn’t know reasoning if it bit you in the arse so well padded by your wife’s father’s money.
                 
                [lprent: It isn’t legal defamation. It is an opinion and rather carefully worded by comparison to the usual stuff around here. Please don’t waste my tired eyes explaining the obvious. ]

            • Populuxe1 8.1.3.1.1.2

              Given that I would in no circumstances whatsoever say something like that, that would be slander. Mind you, it wouldn’t matter what I said anyway – obviously I’m just a two dimensional bogeyman to you anyway, so debate would be pointless.
               
              [lprent: see previous note. That wasn’t even an opinion. It was more of a leading question. If you want to use technical terms then perhaps you should learn what they apply to. For a starter it’d be more likely to be libel than slander – this is a permanent record. And in any case the distinction in NZ is pretty well completely subsumed inside of defamation. ]

  9. Sunny 9

    Most peoples as sorely robbed, affronted, marginalised, jailed, ignored and mocked as Maori have been since Europeans arrived here would not be organising talks and seeking negotiated agreements under the law of this land.

    They’d be picking up guns.

    All honour then to Maori and to the Treaty, a living document in every sense of the word.

    So what if Hone uses strong honest language? He says what he thinks and I agree, in exactly the same words.

    Rather Hone’s honest outrage than the PR-coached suit speaking smooth faced liars and crooks out to steal our assets, our public health system, our public education system, our no fault ACC system…anything they can get their thieving hands on.

    • North 9.1

      Sunny at 9 above; right on with your last paragraph………”Rather Hone’s honest outrage than the PR coached……liars and crooks…….”

      Must say it disgusts me when I hear howls of outrage at HoneSpeak from the Oh-So-Earnest who are nothing more than poachers desperately trying to be seen as gamekeepers in the matter of racist pejorative.

      Hone and all Maori remain the victims of subliminal racism on a vast and sickening scale in this darling little “One Nation” of ours. The PR bullshit and the occasional vain-glorious donning of someone else’s korowai doesn’t alter that reality one jot.

      To hell with them Johnny-Come-Lately gamekeepers and their clutching of their pearls. To me “statesman” connotes mana, honour – not smooth crap talk advisedly and disingenuously put about to make the “right” impression and accrue personal advantage.

      Think back on JokeyHen commandeering the little girl from McGechan Close why don’t ya ? Having earlier “pejoratived” her parents and every other resident of her very street.

  10. gobsmacked 10

    So, how should we describe the Maori Party?

    How?

    *sniggers*

  11. Dr Terry 11

    Members of the Maori Party like us all, are citizens of Aotearoa/New Zealand who are aligned with the National Party. By no means do they represent the voice of all Maori, and presently are in a bit of a cleft stick; in other words National use them in order to divide and rule.

  12. Carol 12

    Harawira says he was referring to Maori Nat MMs with his H-N jibe:

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7623209/Harawiras-N-bomb-directed-at-National-MPs

    He said he was referring to National’s own Maori MPs; such as Paula Bennett, Tau Henare, Simon Bridges, Hekia Parata.

    “You’ve got to be careful about trying to draw dots here… I made a very clear statement about John Key and the way that he treats his MPs.”

    National’s Maori MPs were strong and intelligent leaders within Maoridom.

    “They should be able to make up their own minds as to whether or not they will accept an invitation to attend a national Maori hui on water.

    “If people want me to stop using language from Alabama in the 1950s, maybe they should go back to John Key and tell him to stop treating his Maori MPs like he’s a plantation owner from Alabama in the 1950s.”

    • Colonial Viper 12.1

      “If people want me to stop using language from Alabama in the 1950s, maybe they should go back to John Key and tell him to stop treating his Maori MPs like he’s a plantation owner from Alabama in the 1950s.”

      Just gold.

      • Populuxe1 12.1.1

        That comparison just cheapens the horrible history of black people in the US. Maori were never enslaved, had more self-determination at their most oppressed than American blacks did until the 1960s, and Maori never had to fight for the right to vote.o make that sort of comparison is crass easy point scoring.

        • Kotahi Tāne Huna 12.1.1.1

          Ah, but Hone wasn’t comparing National Party Māori MPs to slaves – he’s saying Key has a slave-owner’s attitude.

        • Adele 12.1.1.2

          Populuxe

          Your dry retching attempt to use black people to point score against brown people is a miserable attempt to deflect. Black and Brown people can’t stand hypocritical and nasty little fuckers like you. There is a common bond found in oppression and suppression and the continued struggle against prejudice, racism and colonialism motivated by greed.

          I have been host to a few African-Americans and I am fairly sure they would have a few things to say about your advocacy on their behalf, one being…’get the fuck outta here cracka.’

          • Populuxe1 12.1.1.2.1

            Oh dear Christ spare me. It might come as a newsflash Adele, but within every community there is a diversity of opinion. There are many Maori activists who see the struggle for Tino rangatiratanga as being a completely unprecedented in the world and not to be compared with other histories. There are also a number of African-American academics who don’t like what they see as the uniqueness of their historical enslavement being hijacked by other movements (nor, I might add, do all black people talk ghetto like some sort of cliche). You’re as ridiculously reactionary as a National supporter bitching about “greedy bloody Maoris”. I suggest you crack a book or two on the subject and try to get over the idea that your limited experience set represents the whole fucking world before you start hurling abuse.

    • Jim Nald 12.2

      National has got “Maori” MPs! Wow.

  13. fnjckg 13

    wot about ‘tomato’?

  14. Pascal's bookie 14

    Sharples likely to attend water hui http://t.co/lxPC7EHp

    Hone’s rhetoric is totally counterproductive and oh wait what now?

    • Hmm I don’t read anything about Hone’s remarks being responsible for Sharples agreeing to attend. Maybe you linked to the wrong article?

      • Colonial Viper 14.1.1

        Hone’s effective, that much is certain.

      • Pascal's bookie 14.1.2

        Yeah totally unrelated. He about faced because he just changed his mind that’s all. wasn’t afraid of looking bad. Wasn’t called out. He just changed his mind. Not to prove Hone wrong, nope. No pressure there at all. Totally confident that in his absence, his absence would not be discussed.

        Yep. Changed. his. mind. for. no. reason.

        Obvs.

        • gobsmacked 14.1.2.1

          Yes, Hone’s been smart one way or the other.

          If Sharples made the decision independent of Hone’s pressure, then Hone’s logic was …

          1) Pita (or the Maori Party) will have to go to the hui
          2) I’ll attack him for not going
          3) He’ll then look like he’s following me. As opposed to following Key.

          Going public ahead of a decision is clever politics – whether you’ve actually influenced that decision or not.

    • North 14.2

      “……oh wait what now ?” what ???

  15. Tiger Mountain 15

    Some of you bonehead commenters here don’t seem to be able to acknowledge that Te Mana Movement is a bonafide hybrid parliamentary party slash political movement of a new type. Māori nationalism tinged with a class analysis is not popular in some circles and f*****g good job.

  16. I don’t agree with Hone using that term – as i’ve said in a post on it

    “Everything is going okay and the Mana movement is building – cut the bullshit Hone and get on with the job e hoa.”

    http://mars2earth.blogspot.co.nz/2012/09/saying-less.html

  17. Hammer 17

    The good news from this;
    In November 2014 the line from the Nats will be…..

    “A vote for Labour is a vote for [that MotherF….ker & N…..er] Hone ”

    He is shooting Labour in the foot; meanwhile his mates up North will be proud of him

    Keep it up Hone – National appreciates your support in moving the centre vote over to them.

  18. millsy 18

    The left is totally on the wrong side of this issue.

    Handing ownership of water to a private group (in this case, iwi) totally flies in the face of socialist/social democratic principles — you know, something about the public (by that I mean the state) and common ownership of all natural resources including our water, with avalibilty to all.

    Ngai Tahu’s support of the extension of the ECan regime underlines the fact that big business, big iwi and big agriculture have a desire to take all the water for themselves and freeze out the domestic users.

    I dare to say it, but the principles embodied in the Treaty of Waitangi are incompatible with principles of socialism, especially the one about common ownership of the means of production distrubution and exchange.

    Too bad that we let the likes of Crimp and Ansell pick up that ball and run to the other side of the paddock.

    • Colonial Viper 18.1

      Handing ownership of water to a private group (in this case, iwi) totally flies in the face of socialist/social democratic principles

      If it stops the Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanleys and Deutsche Banks from owning our power generators, so be it.

      • millsy 18.1.1

        And you think that having the bro-ocracy owning our power generators would make everything so gosh darn peachy? I thought you were better than that CV. Privatisation is OK when its sold to a brown person.

        I find that capitalist values combined with 150-odd years of grievances lead to some very heavy utu.

        • weka 18.1.1.1

          Iwi aren’t ‘private’ groups, although I can see that if you are white it might feel like that.

          • millsy 18.1.1.1.1

            Yes they are. And it is not racist to suggest that.

            • Colonial Viper 18.1.1.1.1.1

              They are communal/tribal groups which control associated westernised organisational structures including trusts, not for profits, and company structures.

  19. Adele 20

    Millsy

    Your constant gripe against Māori appears to be that once we get our greedy hands on stuff, we won’t share, or if we do, we will make you pay dearly. Where is the evidence to support such views or the view that Māori would even want to put up the ‘keep out’ sign?

    • millsy 20.1

      In Wellington, some recreational users are finding that they cannot access certain lakes have been closed off since they were passed to iwi as part of the Port Nicholson Block Settlement

      Mt Tawawera has been completely blocked off by its Maori owners, as has Mt Hikurangi.

      The Te Horo stock tunnel in North Taranaki has been blocked off for 14 years because the Maori owners of the land refuse to let DOC contractors come in and do it up

      Since the land that the Kaingaroa Forest was returned to the central North Island collective public access has been restricted

      The list is endless…

      Maori are no different to Pakeha private owners when it comes to public access. That is why we have things like reserves and national parks, so the public are able to enjoy this great country without imginging on private property rights.

      • Adele 20.1.1

        Millsy

        In Wellington, some recreational users are finding that they cannot access certain lakes have been closed off since they were passed to iwi as part of the Port Nicholson Block Settlement

        In 2010, The Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust (PNBST) stopped duck-shooting on the Pencarrow lakes (Lake Kohangatera and Lake Kohangapiripiri). Duck shooting had been a feature of the lakes public usage for over 80 years. The decision was reversed in the same month. The original prohibition was put in place to ensure that PNBST upheld “onerous” conditions of the conservation covenant it had agreed to as part of its settlement package.

        After discussions with government, PNBST agreed it would be able to address those obligations over a longer time frame, so the hunters could continue shooting. From my understanding both lakes are pristine waterways with only one introduced fish species (brown trout) and fishing has never been allowed.

        Mt Tarawera has been completely blocked off by its Maori owners, as has Mt Hikurangi

        Tarawera Maunga is private land. In 2000, Ngāti Rangitihi, the owners, awarded a contract to a local Rotorua business Mt Tarawera New Zealand Ltd to control entry by tourists onto the maunga. The company provides guided 4WD tours and walking access is prohibited. Whakaari (White Island) is also private land owned by Pākehā and it too charges tourists for access to the island.

        Certainly there are perceptual difficulties with the commercialisation of Tarawera especially in contrast to Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro which were established as reserves by Ngāti Tūwharetoa in the 1860s and then conveyed to the Crown in the 1880s on condition that they became protected areas.

        Access to Hikurangi is available either by car or trek. It is closed occasionally for farming or cultural reasons and those closures are publically notified beforehand.

        The Te Horo stock tunnel in North Taranaki has been blocked off for 14 years because the Maori owners of the land refuse to let DOC contractors come in and do it up

        The Te Horo Stock Tunnel is classified as a public road, but cliff erosion along the coast (the reason for it being blocked off) means the only way to get to it is over land belonging to the Gibbs whanau of Nga Hapū o Poutama. The New Plymouth District Council, lines company Vector and oil exploration company Maui Development all want access to their land. In a recent Court judgement against the Gibbs, under the Public Works Act, Russell Gibbs said “This isn’t about preserving the Te Horo tunnel, it’s about the council taking land.”

        Since the land that the Kaingaroa Forest was returned to the central North Island collective public access has been restricted

        Access to Kaingaroa Forest has always been restricted as it’s a commercial enterprise (radiata pine plantation). Access to the forests are controlled and managed by Timberlands Ltd (forest management company not owned by Māori). Access requires a permit but can be restricted because of fire risk etc.

        Māori would like their property rights respected so in that respect they are similar to Pākehā.

        • millsy 20.1.1.1

          That is why we need things like national parks, lakes, rivers etc in full PUBLIC OWNERSHIP for ALL NEW ZEALANDERS to enjoy.

          more than 17000 hectares of conservation land has been transferred to iwi as a result of treaty settlements, the biggest privatisation and upward weath transfer in history.

          I do not want parents to take their kids to the local swimming hole, only to find it blocked off by its Maori owners.

          • RedLogix 20.1.1.1.1

            That is why we need things like national parks, lakes, rivers etc in full PUBLIC OWNERSHIP for ALL NEW ZEALANDERS to enjoy.

            No no millsy. The Treaty of Waitangi and international law is quite clear. All of New Zealand properly belongs to iwi. That is every square mm of land, every asset and resource right out to the boundary of the continental shelf. No if’s no buts … no exceptions.

            The rest of the people who live here have only temporary squatter rights to any of this and ultimately must either pay a proper market rent, or surrender it back to it’s legal owners and leave.

            • Populuxe1 20.1.1.1.1.1

              Well, not really:

              Article the First
              The Chiefs of the Confederation of the United Tribes of New Zealand and the separate and independent Chiefs who have not become members of the Confederation cede to Her Majesty the Queen of England absolutely and without reservation all the rights and powers of Sovereignty which the said Confederation or Individual Chiefs respectively exercise or possess, or may be supposed to exercise or to possess over their respective Territories as the sole sovereigns thereof.

              And international law also recognises the right of occupation, not only as codified in the 1899 and 1907 Hague Peace Conferences and later modified by the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention, but also in the form of Uti possidetis. Colonialism is against international law, but not retrospectively, and in any case you probably wouldn’t have a case that we are a current colony by legal definition.

              • Adele

                Populuxe

                There are two texts to the Treaty. An English text and a Māori text. It is important to appreciate that the Maori text is not a translation of the English text nor is the English version a translation of the Maori

                That the English text was signed by only 39 Rangatira whereas the Māori text was signed by over 500 Rangatira also speaks to the difference in versions..

                Article 1 in the Māori text does not cede sovereignty:

                Ko te tuatahi
                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.

                Kawangatanga is a transliteration of the word ‘governance’, which was in current use at the time and was a term understood by Māori. The expectation created by its use would appear to be that the Crown would establish governance over its own people – especially when read in conjunction with Article 2:

                Ko te tuarua
                Ko te Kuini o Ingarani ka wakarite ka wakaae ki nga Rangitira ki nga hapu – ki nga tangata katoa o Nu Tirani te tino rangatiratanga o o ratou wenua o ratou kainga me o ratou taonga katoa. Otiia ko nga Rangatira o te wakaminenga me nga Rangatira katoa atu ka tuku ki te Kuini te hokonga o era wahi wenua e pai ai te tangata nona te Wenua – ki te ritenga o te utu e wakaritea ai e ratou ko te kai hoko e meatia nei e te Kuini hei kai hoko mona.

                In the Māori text, Māori were guaranteed ‘te tino rangatiratanga’ or the unqualified exercise of their chieftainship over their lands, villages, and all their property and treasures. Māori also agreed to give the Crown the right to buy their land if they wished to sell it.

                At the time of the Treaty signing, Mäori outnumbered Päkehä by an estimated 40 to one, and the tribes were a powerful military force. Therefore it seems unlikely that Mäori would have agreed to the unqualified transfer of their authority to the new arrivals. It is much more likely that they understood that the Treaty guaranteed the continuation of tribal jurisdiction over tribal affairs.

                Notwithstanding the various arguments about the status of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in Internationa Law, the approach by the Courts has strong parallels with International Law on treaty interpretations. For example the doctrine of good faith which establishes the rule that parties to a treaty must perform their obligations in good faith.

                Significantly too, the Waitangi Tribunal has also referred to the rule of contra proferentem applied by some international tribunals to bilingual treaties, which dictates that in cases of ambiguity, a treaty is to be interpreted against the party drafting it. Courts in North American jurisdictions have applied an adaptation of this international law rule to treaties concluded between indigenous peoples and North American governments, and these authorities have been cited with approval by the Waitangi Tribunal.

                As for the rest of your waffle on occupation…supprime tuum stultiloquium!

                • Populuxe1

                  I merely point out that there is no definitive answer in International Law and it would have to be tested.

                  • Colonial Viper

                    Why would it have to be tested in international law? NZ has worked out its own mechanisms for dealing with these issues.

                    • Populuxe1

                      Because it was international law being discussed, not national – though of course you are correct that national law indeed has systems in place as befits our national sovereignty.

                    • Peter

                      Contra preferentum. The indigenous version of any international text takes precedent.

                • blue leopard

                  @Adele

                  Hey! Nice summary of NZ History 101!!
                  Oh dear…I wonder how many times you have to relay that information to people…
                  Amazing we are not taught it in school…would save a lot of…well….ignorance and unnecesary strife really now wouldn’t it?

            • millsy 20.1.1.1.1.2

              Never a truer word spoken in jest….

  20. Jenny 21

    Harawira got it wrong when he said Key was behaving like a plantation owner in the 1950s. What he should have said is Key is acting like a plantation owner in the 1850s.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago
  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-24T00:01:08+00:00