I was at a social gathering recently and fell into conversation with an engaging young chap, who informed me that he was Maori.
Really, says I somewhat taken aback, you must come from one of the more distant tribes, because you don't seem to have any of the expected characteristics.
He went on to tell me that that yes he was one sixteenth Maori, I enquired what the remaining fifteen sixteenths were and he retorted that they were mostly Scottish.
I told him that I was sorry to be the bearer of sad tidings but he was actually a Jock [Scottish]
If I was Scottish I think I should be rather proud of it, a fine race of people.
But on reflection I don't suppose being Scottish has either the kudos or financial gain that being Maori has. So what is what is cut of point to becoming a Maori? A sixty-fourth perhaps or even more.
The other misconception is [M Ketu wrote last week] that we are a Bi-cultural society. That is incorrect we are a multi [as in many] cultural society.
If we can accept that then perhaps we can move forward as one people, one nation.
Chris Laycock, Tauranga.