In response to the views of T. Tukaokao:
1. Your use of the term ‘Racist' is contrary to it's definition. I suggest consulting the (English) dictionary. A mirror may also prove useful.
2. Most non-Maori including myself do not object to the use of the Maori Language.
It should be noted that the written form of Maori is an entirely European creation/invention which early NZ scholars developed, fostered and then taught to Maori. Without this the language would have foundered as it was without consistent form and basis for tuition.
3. The (main) war that you object to Maori ‘having' to fight in was against two nations whose success would have meant genocide for Maori. Hitler for example reportedly described NZ Maori as a sub-human chimpanzee-like people who lived in trees. We know how he dealt with races he deemed inferior. Maori should be pleased that almost all citizens, white and otherwise, rejected his call for Aryian supremacy and stood with their Maori countrymen against this tyranny.
I imagine a lot of those old soldiers, Maori and non- Maori alike are now restless in their graves when they see what is becoming of the country and values they fought for.
4. For most of the last two centuries, generations of Maori, part-Maori and a vast number of non-Maori ethnicities have toiled, sometimes separately but more often side by side to develop our country and its resources. For non-Maori at least this was under the expectation (as enshrined by the Treaty) that the results were to be utilised for the good of all citizens regardless of ethnicity. Over the last 3 decades however this understanding has been turned upside down as the resources that our forefathers gave their lives developing have and are being systematically stripped from common ownership and given solely to one part-ethnic race. The pain, sorrow, grief and sense of betrayal felt by the non-Maori people of our country is immeasurable and can only continue to grow.
So yes, Mr. Tukaokao, I understand INHERITANCE and the loss thereof. Just in recent weeks a further $100 million resources and cash has been stolen from universal ownership and passed onto another part - Maori ‘tribe'.
5. On the very day you penned your letter vehemently denying that exclusive Maori funding exists, the leader of your party was announcing the latest installment in a long line of exactly that - a Maori only extension to the Home Insulation scheme. I am intimately involved in this industry and can assure you that once again only Maori are able to take advantage of this.
Providing this work for poorer families may be a worthwhile endeavour, but while there are also many poor non-Maori who would benefit, none can, due to their race. And on it so goes...
6. In exhorting your Whanau to ‘stay strong' I would ask that they cease achieving this and your ‘positive futures' by climbing onto and over the ever more labouring backs of the non-Maori peoples of this land.
Please return to the collective ownership of all citizens the land and resources taken from us over the last 30 years.
Mike Kuipers von Lande,
Mount Maunganui.