Peter Dey, Weekend Sun 3 August, states that 'The
descendants of those original Maori landowners are with us now. They deserve compensation for the inheritance they have lost”. He then continues ' To describe Maori descendants as watered down is meaningless.
Nobody complains when watered down Pakeha descendants inherit a family farm”.
The big difference between these two types of claim is massive. On the one hand claims are based either on customary rights and/or word of mouth passed down from generation to generation, but there is no unassailable tangible proof of ownership to back them up.
On the other hand, claims on a family farm are fully backed up by tangible proof in the form of recognised
legal documentation.
I believe however that some of the claims under the Waitangi Tribunal are fully justifi ed and need to be
recognised.
Unfortunately there are racist activists in NZ who are
forcing the gap to be opened wider between Maori and
the rest of us. When the original Treaty was signed in
1840 it was for all inhabitants of NZ and not for one
minority group.

Roger Bailey, Papamoa.