Those motivated enough to write letters to the editor often do so to vent an extremist viewpoint. Mary Brooks writes to proudly represent the ‘true feelings of the population' (Weekend Sun 24/8/12), subconsciously excluding Maori from the human race, thereby assigning flora-and-fauna status – weeds for extermination, pests for eradication. I am compelled to respond.
She echoes 19th century sentiments where Aotearoa is not to be a shared country but to be usurped from the natives and a Little Britain created. What of the natives? Indentured labour? Bed-warmers?
Fence off barren land for them and ‘smooth the dying-pillow'?
The take-over would have been complete had it not been for the Treaty.
In this post-colonial era there has been global endorsement of prior freedoms and simple patrimonial rights.
Brooks' population typically misses the point of some recent claims. So-called claims are only ostensibly so – the actual objective is to halt further alienation of resources (asset sales) or to counter corporatisation.
An obvious stratagem but Mary's inherent mistrust of Maori has blinded her to this. Did she not canvass her close Maori friends opinions first?
Re: Maori greed. If there is such a thing, can I now blame the GFC on Pakeha greed?

Campbell Ngata, Matapihi.