Taking up the challenge from Mike Lee to become better informed about our history, please see below a list of suggestions from members of the Democracy Action working group: Continue reading

Such policies outlined above will embed a further layer of consultation and bureaucracy based along racial lines into everyday running of Government. (See Auckland Council’s advice page HERE.) Yet both local and central government already undertake extensive consultation with iwi groups. For example, let’s look at the consultation with ‘mana whenua’ groups Panuku Development Auckland has undertaken in relation to resource consents for the infrastructure and related activities associated with the America’s Cup. Continue reading

Despite NZ First scuppering the inclusion of the word "partnership" in the new Maori Crown agency's name – it is still used in the description of what the new agency will do. Crown-Maori Relations Minister Kelvin Davis said the new agency, Te Arawhiti, would help facilitate the next step in the Treaty relationship, moving beyond the settlement of Treaty grievances into "what it means to work together in partnerships". Continue reading

Over the years the NZ public have been assured by successive governments that the Treaty of Waitangi settlements are full and final, that Treaty issues will be settled once and for all, and the country will then move on. Continue reading

During the unveiling of a pou at Fairfield College, Hamilton, to commemorate the New Zealand wars, principal Richard Crawford acknowledged the history and sacrifice of those who participated, singling out the warriors of Waikato-Tainui and the Kingitanga movement. (A report on the ceremony and a recording of an interview given by Mr Crawford is available HERE). Continue reading

Despite being presented with evidence that shows there is no doubt the land was sold, the CEO of Ports of Auckland (POA) is choosing to stand by the story that the land for the founding of Auckland was “gifted” by Ngati Whatua Orakei, as stated on the commemorative plaque on Quay St. This issue has been taken up with the Mayor of Auckland.  His reply was to take this up with the POA directly. So back to square one. Continue reading

While race-based policies have always been a part of NZ Government practise to some degree, over the last few years the instances are expanding exponentially. And now even the judiciary is getting in on the act, as illustrated by the discounting of an offender's jail sentence because of Maori cultural background, see HERE. Continue reading

The government released its water policy last month, see HERE. It avoids dealing with the question of ownership, instead focusing first on cleaning up rivers, and then looking into the more difficult issue of water allocation. Continue reading

The High Court’s initial ‘priority’ claim under the Marine and Coastal Area Act is for a stretch of coastline in the southern Hawke’s Bay from Whangaehu to Cape Turnagain - see CIV-2011-485-789 here >https://www.nzcpr.com/marine-and-coastal-area-act-claim-ap…/    Continue reading

Rino Tirikatene, who represents Labour in the Maori seat of Te Tai Tonga, is fighting to entrench the Maori seats, whereby a vote of 75 percent of MPs would be needed to get rid of them. Continue reading