A traditional Maori meeting house under a starlit sky. Photo: Matariki.co.nz
For me when I read Te Tiriti it clearly states that Māori would have a say in local governance.
Mike Keir
Article two: “The Queen of England agrees to protect the chiefs, the subtribes and all the people of New Zealand in the unqualified exercise of their chieftainship over their lands, villages and all their treasures”.
This did not happen until recently. Māori were excluded from participation in our local government system due to having a different approach to the management of resources and a communal system of land ownership.
Māori culture is different from pakeha culture. Diversity is good, it challenges assumptions and the status quo – however I was surprised I could grow up in this country so ignorant of it. We live in separate worlds. Māori culture or worldview was not acknowledged or represented through the colonialist settler-driven local governance system we developed.
Maori elder under the Matariki stars.
Māori make up 25 per cent of the Waikato district population, they should have a voice. I welcome them at the table. The Māori ward councillors contribute a lot and I enjoy working with them. They represent their people and their views should be heard in local government, it is what was agreed to when the treaty was signed.
If we talk about honour or mana, it is the honourable thing to do. What we have done has no mana, we have behaved poorly. The Māori wards are at last an acknowledgement of this. It has only taken 180 years. The wards are democratic and participatory, they are elected by voters on the Māori roll. Māori want to be involved and have a voice for their people. This is a good thing. An inclusive society is better than a polarised one riven by suspicion and distrust. Which would you rather have?
We are not Gaza, we are not Ukraine, we lead the world in dealing with our colonial legacy in a fair and open manner, however we could do better, the Māori wards are part of that better. The land war of 1863 was similar to what Russia is currently doing in Ukraine. If you don’t know, I advise you to educate yourselves on this, read the history of what has happened over the last 184 years along with the 60 years prior to 1840. We have heard the story of Governor Grey, we need to hear the story of Te Wherowhero, the first Māori King.
A colossus of a man.
Māori spent most of their time trying to find enough food to survive. Getting through the winters was always a challenge and as population increased fighting over scarce food resources became more and more violent. The introduction of muskets exacerbated this.
All things change, change is constant. We should not be afraid of it. I reiterate, Māori should have a say in local governance to allow them to participate in how things are managed at the local level.
The wards in Waikato district give Māori two votes out of 14, it is not a takeover, they allow a seat at the table.
I support the Māori wards and hope that when it comes to a referendum the general public does too.
This referendum has been forced on us, the cost would be better spent on dealing with more pressing issues, of which there are many.
