When I taught at a country school in Hawkes Bay many years ago, I spent a full term on the study of Maori in some depth, language, weaving, legends, history, waiata and customs. I also attended two extra-mural courses in Maori where we were taught basic Maori carving by Dr Chris Whiting.
I never believed that this was my personal heritage, Irish/Swedish, but accepted it as a part of the heritage of my country. I did not teach these lessons to the exclusion of other peoples and other cultures. I am therefore concerned when I hear that Maori culture and language is being introduced to children as young as five, apparently to the exclusion of the other 86% of the cultures of the other ethnic groups that make up our country. I am reminded of the Jesuit maxim, ‘Give me a child to age seven and I'll give you the man'.
Ms Keeling-Styles, karakia is not our cultural heritage, it is the heritage of the 14% who elect to call themselves Maori even though they are at most half-castes.
Ms Keeling-Styles' euphoric attitude to Maori culture indicates how widely Maori customs, language and culture have permeated a large number of public institutions and government departments and impinged upon our national activities, from the welcoming of overseas dignitaries to the opening of public buildings and to the exclusion of the officiating of other ethnic groups. It is time to take stock and cater for the rest of the population and for us to regard ourselves as primarily New Zealanders and for the heritage of all nationalities to be celebrated.

Bryan Johnson. Omokoroa.