It has been obvious for years that certain iwi groups try every trick in the book to screw the last taxpayers' dollar from the Crown.

The latest mind-boggling effort comes from a Tom Hemopo, who is hiring a team of lawyers to lay a claim to the racist Waitangi Tribunal, alleging the Crown is failing to protect Maori because half the prisoners in jail are Maori.

Whose fault is this? Certainly nor that of the Crown.

We live in a democratic society, all under the same laws and are totally responsible for our own actions. If I decided to rob a bank and got caught – which I probably would – I know I will be sent to prison.

It is not the Crown that is failing Maori but their own iwi. Many iwi have received millions of taxpayers' money, often investing it unwisely.

There is always big talk about whanau, so why are iwi not supporting young Maori by
helping to prevent them from joining gangs and committing crimes?

Where is the parental support? Education is available for all, and if young Maori drop out, that is their responsibility – not that of the Crown.

As for the many second offenders, you do not need to get burnt twice to know fire is hot.
The law is very simple: commit a crime, go straight to gaol.

M Brooks, Tauranga