Having recently heard that a group representing my ancestors is claiming economic rights to the airwaves, I am dumbfounded.
How have they convinced themselves of this nonsense? A series of meetings? Consultation with their people?
I find it vaguely disturbing that they would associate this with Maori and in doing so render legitimate claims to the fate of rejection due to utter money grubbing polluting the collective notion of reparation.
Because there are legitimate causes for some reparation, including the approximation of land through force of arms contrary to the agreement between the Crown and Maori.
But in this instance it just goes to show the insanity that greed can bring upon you, the blind and slathering pursuit of the almighty dollar to the embarrassment of those who would seek to take a more rational approach.
It is with a wince of embarrassment and a heavy heart that I think the reaction to this sort of ridiculousness in the face of New Zelands colonial issues. Issues that are being addressed and worked through to the credit of the government and the people of New Zealand.
As Hobson said, We are one people.
Though of course there were those who elected not to sign the treaty and they chose to express their feelings for the crown in a different manner. As did members of the Crown element in their willingness to ignore the agreement from another stance.
We are well past all that though. Though in New Zealand politics such outlandish ideas as catching up economically to Australia it is time we stopped continually looking outside New Zealand and looked into the heart of the matter and started major surgery.
Cut out the dead tissue, revitalise areas that need it, get the country operating on a more sustainable level without indulging in over zealous economics.
It feels odd saying it, as it has been said often before, the people of New Zealand have to start acting like the people of New Zealand, with a collective ideal and vision, so that the future consists of all elements of New Zealand society, with the ability for all cultural identities being represented. Whether it is Maori, European, Chinese, Indian, Somalian, South African plus multiple cultural participation.
"Run to the hills"
"They're coming from the hills"
"Run away from the hills, if you see a hill run the other way" (or words to that affect)
Blackadder.
