Mr Dey certainly doesn't like valid criticism. From the outset the British generally treated maori in a paternalistic way, doing no one any favours as it turns out now. Elitist actions have forced ‘maori' in many instances to become a welfare orientated, special needs case, lacking the ability to function without ‘a host' to feed off, in this case the NZ taxpayer via the dysfunctional Waitangi Tribunal.

Turning to the question of Rangioawhia and St. Paul's Church built for Ngati Apawaua in 1856 before the Waikato Wars, this was a refuge for local people including maori when fighting took place on 21 February 1864. My understanding is that this church still stands today, so what church was burnt down? Raupo whares were burnt but that was probably the result of powder flash and burning wadding which in my view is the conclusion reached by historians. As to Parihaka the claim by some that this was a holocaust is ludicrous. No deaths occurred and the definition of holocaust is loss of life on a massive scale.(?)

The grievers must give us evidence from reputable historians (if any) that support their atrocity claims,e.g. James Cowan (1870-1943) who wrote extensively on maori, the maori wars and early colonial history. He was fluent in maori and had an affinity for maori people.

However, this is really of academic historical interest only, as all Kiwis should be looking to the future and moving on after 150 years.

R. Paterson