A brief response to a letter (6 July Weekend Sun) .
I doubt that anyone can state with conviction that 'treaty settlements are not an excessive cost to the taxpayer.” Figures are indicators. It's the actual effect of these (or they only actually mean something,) when they trickle down to those living at the coalface, that tell the real story, and circumstances vary. Also, ongoing cuts to essential services made so as to accommodate these treaty payments, are a significant consideration.
'These settlements are a justified compensation for government injustice.” Which government? And what injustice?
A wry aside - Thanks to the effective mingling of races, taxpaying Maori, including the very vocal activists, are helping to pay their own treaty settlements, surely, thanks to that mixed blood! Rather a Gilbert & Sullivan scenario, I guess! But then, we could all at least get a smile out of it, as we are going to need some comic relief in the very near future, as some arguably sinister events unfold.

D. Holm, Tauranga.