Re Kate MacIntyre's letter (5/7/13), C. Humphreys may be only slightly high in her claim that 85% of New Zealanders are concerned with race-based policies. Here are consistent results from independent groups and councils around the country:

85% - NO to Maori Housing: BOP
81% - NO to ‘Maori are special'
81% - NO to Maori names for North & South Is
80% - NO to ‘h': for Wanganui
80% - NO to Maori wards: Waikato
80% - NO to Maori wards: Hauraki
79% - NO to Maori wards: Nelson
70% - NO to Maori electoral roll

On the question of having a mandate, I am sure C. Humphreys and concerned citizens would be very happy for the things Maori want to be put to a nationwide, binding referendum. Would Kate MacIntyre, Robin Bell (5/7/13), and co, be able to rise to this challenge?
Re Tommy Kapai's complaint about the SCF bailout of $1.7 billion (5/7/13), a recent NBR article by Mike Butler estimated that total spending on Maori by the Government could be as much as $1.3 billion per year, with another $700 million in devolved social services such as government-funded charitable trusts run by tribes.
The SCF bailout was only done to maintain financial stability after the worldwide economic crash of 2008, and was beneficial to investors of ALL races. It was not funnelled into the pockets of the so-called indigenous elite as so many dubious treaty settlements are.

Geoff Parker, Orewa.