John Robson has issues of trust. He does not trust the wisdom of Council's proposal to gift 11 Mission street to local iwi, and he does not trust iwi to share the benefits of this gift. He does not trust Buddy Mikaere's scholarship that justifies this gift, claiming a whole page of The Sun to counter his views.

He especially singles out the word 'trust” in Buddy's writing, implying that unless trust constitutes a formalised, scribal document, then no moral obligation is attached.

'Trust” acknowledges a reciprocal honour/mana between parties, an exchange of understanding. It involves negotiating the reality and difference of others.

Council's proposal to gift 11 Mission street to Otamataha Trust signifies two things, 1; recognition of Otamataha Trust's ancestral mana whenua status and 2; confidence that Otamataha Trust will honour their intention to support cultural development with the Elms Foundation. It is an honourable arrangement.

Distrust impedes generosity. If John Robson adopted a more bicultural/inclusive definition of 'us” and 'ours”, he might dispel his mistrust.

Nau te rourou, naku te rourou ka ora ai e iwi

We mutually prosper through sharing

Debbi Thyne