I have always had respect for what Tommy Kapai says but in last weekend's Sun he destroyed that respect by calling me 'racist”. Why is it that when one presents Maori with true facts and researched figures which throw light on Maori greed and false claims, that one is called racist? Non-Maori are not the racists here but a certain small percentage of Maori elite are trying to divide the country right down the middle. Unfortunately weak Governments, anxious to hold on to Maori votes, play along and so Maori have acknowledged that they have now received the equivalent of $39 billion in land, fisheries, forestry etc. Why is it not trickling down to those Maori, especially children, who need it.? Because those at the top are not sharing the wealth but putting into Trusts and thus pay no tax.
Special privileges available ONLY to Maori include: Maori-only schools and education scholarships; Maori-only housing projects; Maori -only health prioritisation and initiatives; Whanau Ora and other Maori-only Welfare initiatives; Maori-only prisoner programmes; Maori-only positions on government agencies; Maori-only special Tax rates; Maori-only seats in Parliament. These are the tip of the iceberg as there are many more in similar Maori-only vein despite them being only 14% of the country! If this is not a form of apartheid, I really do not know what is.

Mary Brooks, Avenues.