Normally I like to give people a chance to mull over my posts before I put up the next one, but this recent declaration from "Dr" Pita Sharples has infuriated me.
Now I am a strong supporter of the idea of a Maori political party, it is exactly why we have MMP, so that all groups can have representation. Maori need to have a strong voice in New Zealand Government so that their issues can be heard and properly debated and considered. Just as any group in NZ deserves.
But I have found Pita Sharples constantly takes advantage of nearly any opportunity to raise spectres of mistrust and hate. I do not believe that he speaks for the majority of Maori, and I am angry that this latest claim to Australian members of a conference was merely a political stunt on his behalf.
Let's get something clear here, "Dr" Sharples - the police arrested people of varying ethnicities and who had a variety of agendas. It has been the media that has fixated onto the terrorist camps issue - I find it interesting that as the story has developed, there has been a fixation on the Maori aspect.
But in revisiting the news stories - what we are dealing with are radical activists who have taken advantage of legitimate political groups. These idiots had a variety of agendas - none of which were for the benefit of NZ - and they were naive enough to believe that talking about war and anarchy wouldn't draw police attention. The police acted because these guys threatened members of the public - then set off weaponry that is meant to be restricted in this country.
The police moved in because of that.
The only reason race relations could be pushed back is if people like Dr Sharples remained so thin-skinned and self-absorbed as to not look at all the evidence before shooting their mouths off and stirring up sentiment amongst Maori.
Why couldn't he wait until he had all the information? How, exactly, is making such a broad claim - notably from overseas as well, Dr Sharples has not been in the country during these events - exactly helping heal relations?
This strikes me as looking for an excuse to be offended. I feel that Dr Sharples political career has hinged on being the angry ethnic politician. Time to get a new tune, Pita. Because it is getting old, and you are not helping anyone. I'd be interested in going back through previous "announcements" from Pita Sharples - because I suspect you would find he has said the same thing in the past at every opportunity he could.
Grrrr. He should be ashamed, because it's statements like these that create unease and promote racism. Let's hear about positive action from people who have the facts and know what's going on - not the wild accusations of a man who isn't even fully informed of the facts.
Conan
This action has violated the trust that has been developing between Maori and Pakeha and sets our race relations back 100 years.
Now I am a strong supporter of the idea of a Maori political party, it is exactly why we have MMP, so that all groups can have representation. Maori need to have a strong voice in New Zealand Government so that their issues can be heard and properly debated and considered. Just as any group in NZ deserves.
But I have found Pita Sharples constantly takes advantage of nearly any opportunity to raise spectres of mistrust and hate. I do not believe that he speaks for the majority of Maori, and I am angry that this latest claim to Australian members of a conference was merely a political stunt on his behalf.
Let's get something clear here, "Dr" Sharples - the police arrested people of varying ethnicities and who had a variety of agendas. It has been the media that has fixated onto the terrorist camps issue - I find it interesting that as the story has developed, there has been a fixation on the Maori aspect.
But in revisiting the news stories - what we are dealing with are radical activists who have taken advantage of legitimate political groups. These idiots had a variety of agendas - none of which were for the benefit of NZ - and they were naive enough to believe that talking about war and anarchy wouldn't draw police attention. The police acted because these guys threatened members of the public - then set off weaponry that is meant to be restricted in this country.
The police moved in because of that.
The only reason race relations could be pushed back is if people like Dr Sharples remained so thin-skinned and self-absorbed as to not look at all the evidence before shooting their mouths off and stirring up sentiment amongst Maori.
Why couldn't he wait until he had all the information? How, exactly, is making such a broad claim - notably from overseas as well, Dr Sharples has not been in the country during these events - exactly helping heal relations?
This strikes me as looking for an excuse to be offended. I feel that Dr Sharples political career has hinged on being the angry ethnic politician. Time to get a new tune, Pita. Because it is getting old, and you are not helping anyone. I'd be interested in going back through previous "announcements" from Pita Sharples - because I suspect you would find he has said the same thing in the past at every opportunity he could.
Grrrr. He should be ashamed, because it's statements like these that create unease and promote racism. Let's hear about positive action from people who have the facts and know what's going on - not the wild accusations of a man who isn't even fully informed of the facts.
Conan
Currently Reading: Sidereals
Currently Playing: Nothing at the moment
Mood: I don't even have a menchi picture that best represents how insulted and angry I am about this one...
2 comments:
Given the reactive response by so many kiwi, Tuhoe can hardly be blamed for wanting to reclaim their independence. As a nation we can only move forward when we recognise what has gone before.
The problem with that line of thinking is that NZ HAS recognised what has gone before, and yet there are people more interested in reparations than thinking about the future of the nation as a whole.
Learn from the past, don't be ruled by it.
This recent event is less about race relations and more about radical self-serving people who have no respect for the wishes of society.
The Tuhoe, as a people, are quite capable of benefiting from working with the rest of NZ in creating a country that respects all cultures. They will not benefit from being an independent nation, and they need to learn that. The idea of Maori Sovereignty is an archaic one that would do more damage to Maori and their culture than finding a way to create a new future with the rest of NZ society.
That is the issue with the current status. Saying "We can only move forward when we recognise what has gone before" has the problem that NZ is facing - at what point does it cease to be recognition and become obsession?
The past is about lessons, you can't go back and change it. For us to move forward, NZ needs to recognise what has happened - which, to be blunt, I feel that it has many times over - and Maori need to be able to let it go and move their own culture forward.
To do that we need to work at supporting the education of young Maori about the history of their culture as well as support things like Maori film and television - ways for their culture to express itself. We, as NZers, need to embrace that culture as part of the country's history. It needs to be nurtured and grown.
Independence and Sovereignty are not the answer, they are disastrous paths that will decimate Maori culture and divide the nation, leading to years of recrimination and upset.
For NZ and Maori to benefit from the past, both sides need to be willing to work together. From what I have seen, the NZ governments have been working to create that bridge - it's not all roses and chocolates, but it is a genuine effort. Maori groups need to start asking themselves what they really want and how can it benefit the nation as much as themselves. What is the point of getting independence if the social cost is too high.
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