It is hard to believe the number of apparently intelligent people writing anti-Maori letters based on false information and irrational fear.
These people fear that Maori, who make up 15 per cent of the population, will use the constitutional review to take political control of New Zealand, and turn non-Maori, who make up 85 per cent of the population and have total control of Parliament and all government services, into second class citizens. This is irrational. The growing strength of the Maori community is not a threat to democracy.
It enriches us and is a blessing to New Zealand. The stronger the Maori community becomes, the fewer educational, employment, health, and social problems there will be. Maori leaders are accused of using Treaty settlements to line their own pockets. No evidence is produced to justify this. There is no evidence.
It is claimed that Treaty settlements are false and are bankrupting the country. In fact all Treaty settlements add up to less than $2 billion.
Government spending is $100 billion every year. The details of all Treaty settlements are read in Parliament, publicly available and totally justified. Maori are not getting extra privileges. They are now simply getting better recognition of long promised rights.

Peter Dey, Welcome Bay.