When B Johnson (November 16) claimed my letter was rambling, foolish and meandering, the writer failed to refute anything and attempted to denigrate.

Johnson derides my decision to not read in full the book of Robinson and McLean, with its tired assertions. British colonial tales about Maori willingly 'selling” the land ignore the fact that the Maori concept of land was at odds to European values of ownership.

British history tells of a glorious, Union Jack-emblazoned tale of bravery and conquest by noble people over primitive warlike inhabitants - a familiar tale wherever the British went.

Johnson should have attended the public meeting on November 12, where a balanced account was given with quotes, letters and hard evidence that the Crown pressured CMS and the Anglicans to relinquish the Te Papa land.

The land was not sold, but was gifted under a trust of purpose for the good of the community, comprising people of both cultures.

Robinson's reply to my letter was very fair. I do take issue with his notion the Anglican Church is 'denigrating (its) early missionaries”. They're not, and nor is Te Kohinga, who only seek to set the record straight and work towards a form of justice.

McLean, in his reply, bluntly blames the Anglicans and exonerates the Crown, which is reason enough for me to disregard his book.

M Maunder, Otumoetai