Welcome to February’s update, it’s hard to believe that we are two months into 2025 already!
It’s been a very busy start to the year, there is so much coming at us. Currently, the oral submissions on the Treaty Principles Bill are in full swing – many thanks to those who have presented their submissions or are about to. Our Chair, Lee, will be submitting on behalf of Democracy Action this coming Thursday morning, 20 February, at 8 am. You can read our written submission by clicking HERE.
You can watch submissions online on Vimeo or via the Parliament website. And on demand at Vimeo here.
Make a submission on the management of the conservation estate
In our December newsletter, we mentioned two discussion documents outlining proposals to 'modernise' the management of conservation land, and to consider implementing fees for access to certain public conservation areas. Although this has not been formally recognized as co-governance, proposals in the documents make it clear that iwi interests are set to gain increased authority over the conservation estate. This shift will provide iwi Māori with opportunities to participate in decision-making that are significantly greater than those available to the wider community. Read more about what the government is proposing, and details on making a submission below at: ‘Potaka proposes to ‘modernise’ management of conservation land’
Please remember that the deadline for public feedback ends at 5 pm on 28 February.
When National, ACT and New Zealand First announced they had formed a government just after the 2023 election, they promised they would uphold democracy, equality, and would end race-based rights. And here we are, 16 months later, still facing a growing list of councils who are either determined to adopt race-based rights and policies – the latest being the Whanganui District Council and the Rotorua Lakes Councils, or are considering doing so, such as at Auckland Council.
The Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers Association has sounded the warning that the Rotorua Lakes Council is attempting to bring in co-governance through the backdoor - via the Te Arawa Partnership Plan. Read more about this on the RDRRA Facebook page by clicking HERE. And over in Whanganui, the council has acquiesced to the wishes of the Whanganui Lands Negotiation Settlement Trust by voting to accept to a platform for joint initiatives that Mayor Tripe proudly announced as ‘a world-first indigenous-council partnership.’ Read more on this below at Whanganui council agrees to partner with Whanganui Māori.
Here in Auckland, Te Kawerau ā Maki is seeking a co-governance arrangement over the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area through a deed of acknowledgement under the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008. Key elements of the deed were progressed at the Auckland Council Policy & Planning Committee meeting of December 10. The iwi is also proposing to close off a large area of the regional park. Public engagement on the proposals is due to kick off this month. Read more about this below at ‘Co-governance sought over Waitakere Ranges’.
Arguably even more alarming is the legal action by Ngai Tahu, who is taking the Crown to Court seeking to force the co-management of all freshwater in the South Island. If successful, it would give Ngai Tahu the power of veto over water management and allocation, effectively amounting to control. See Newsroom article:
Court claim seeks to force water co-management
Update on the Hauraki Gulf Marine Protection Bill
The legislation to establish 19 new marine protection areas has passed its second reading in Parliament. While designed to help protect the Gulf from overfishing it continues to allow iwi-controlled ‘customary’ fishing. Furthermore, it allows commercial fishing in two of those high protection areas. See 1NEWS article: Hauraki marine protection tweaked to allow some commercial fishing.
Please continue to speak up!
Another significant concern is the effort to indoctrinate our children. Two of the latest to come to our attention are Roimata Smail’s “Understanding Te Tiriti: A Handbook of basic facts about Te Tiriti o Waitangi”. Michael Bassett writes about this in his commentary ‘BEWARE OF 'TE TIRITI' NONSENSE’. Another example is explained by Rodney Hide in: Schooling Through a Te Ao Maori Lens, (both published on the Bassett, Brash & Hide blogsite).
If, like me, you feel that the dangerous propaganda as outlined in these examples is contributing to the division and animosity within society, do write to your local MP, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Education, Erica Stanford, alerting them to attempts to sow the seeds of discord in our schools.
Indeed, if you have concerns about any issues currently being considered in Parliament, please make your voice heard. Politicians often interpret a lack of feedback from the public as approval. The same goes for local bodies. Email addresses can be found on the NZCPR Have Your Say! page HERE.
RECOMMENDED READING
- ‘Our choice for the future: Equality or tribal rule’, by John Robinson
- A selection of interesting comments below at: ‘More News, Views, Opinions…...’
Also, remember to check out the Democracy Action Facebook page regularly for further information and a variety of interesting commentaries.
Thank you for your continued interest and support. If you have any suggestions you would like to offer, or if you need further information or help, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]
And please help spread the message by sharing our newsletters with anyone who may be interested. You can receive further updates by registering or joining us.
Kind regards,
Susan Short