Racism is giving one racial group different rights and privileges to others. It is differential treatment on the basis of race. That is what Maori are ‘continually' looking for. I do not believe there should be rights over ‘our' fresh water or seats on councils and local authorities based on ancestry, and I think most Kiwis would agree.

We want to live in an egalitarian country, not one where your rights are determined by who your parents are. That's what the old-style British class system was based on. It's also what Nazi Germany was based on. If Maori keep pushing they will certainly see a backlash. But the backlash will be egalitarian, not racist; it is the Maori position which is racist.

R Anderson, Lower Hutt.