The Seabed and Foreshore Bill is nothing less than a huge bribe given by this Government to Maori to buy votes. Even then there are a number of Maori who are not satisfied. I heard on National Radio Richard Bradley from a South Island Iwi call the rest of us and those who represent us thieves. Hone Harawira called us Mother F---ers.
I have just learned of the long list of wants Maori have presented to the Government. It is amazing. The Government is being very quiet about it. The fact is in many cases Maori sold off their land and now they have squandered the profits from it they want it back. Had they invested the money wisely encouraged their children to get a good education and to value education as an advancement to a better life they would not be in the position they now find themselves in.
To say pakeha have taken everything away from them is nonsense on the East Coast Maori own thousands of acres. Much of it grows manuka and gorse because they do not have the incentive or energy to do anything with it. Their land also bounders much coastline giving them great tourist opportunities but again they do nothing even though Eastland Tourism has encouraged them to get involved.
Margaret Hills, Tauranga.