A thought for those part-Maori still holding long-term grievance, dating back to the early days of colonisation – specifically to the insensitive enforcement of the English language in schools.

Exactly the same thing happened in the Cape, South Africa, in the 1800s.

The Dutch had been settled there since the mid 1600s, as a halfway house serving their Dutch East Indies trade route. It was designed to supply fresh produce to the scurvy-prone sailors on a lengthy sea voyage. Holland and England are European neighbours, with much in common. Then came British colonisation. Thus, it was not a question of repression of a ‘primitive' race when the language problem arose; and, arguably, long-term benefits were possible, as in NZ.

The Dutch resented the imposition bitterly, however, and it became a contributory cause of the legendary Great Trek – a marvel of courageous endeavour by any standards.

Entire families, plus large covered wagons, (dismantled to negotiate the intervening mountain range to the interior) and clumsy oxen, were manhandled over the mountain, and from there to seek freedom. But were still beset by the dangers of very real wild animals and snakes, unfamiliar to them – life went on.

Unfortunately, we are all involved in history. Nothing is tailored to our preferences. And we keep the past alive, kicking and screaming, or move on.

D Holm, Otumoetai.