I read with great disappointment of another Maori ‘claim' for land; land that is now a bowling green in the city.

Are Maori not allowed to join a bowling club? Is this the attitude of the majority of Maori in the Tauranga area?

It seems to be a great disadvantage to be born a European, or Pakeha, today.

Is the Maori race at a disadvantage today because they are Maori?

I can't help but see that in spite of the mistakes we Europeans have made, Maori are better off having us live alongside them and intermarry with us.

Firstly, we brought the Gospel, Christianity, which at times has been terribly distorted, then education, health services, water reticulation, electricity, transport, communication, and law and order etc.

We are now so integrated I there isn't a purebred Maori left in the country.

I wonder if a spouse or someone of the other race holds this same attitude?

Some of my best friends have been Maori. I lived and worked with them in the Hokianga for 23 years.

We need each other. Love heals – but hatred, bitterness, jealousy and anger destroys.

R Upton, Katikati.