Even though it is not unexpected, recent celebrations of historical events (Battle of Gate Pa) have brought out some people's views about how historical issues should be addressed. I was disappointed when I read a recent letter written by Mary Brooks(30 May) making statements that Tauranga Moana Iwi should remember they are only a small number of the population here and other cultures such as Dutch, Irish French etc should be included. This writer needs to do some research about the Te Tiriti o Waitangi and that the two parties who signed this Treaty were Maori and non-Maori (British Crown).

The returning of land back to local Iwi is about healing the wrong that was done in historical land confiscation. This was unfair and should be rectified if we are to try and move on with honouring a historical document like the Te Tiriti o Waitangi and settling this grievance between our cultures. I support this process as a Non-Maori who has done some study on the Treaty. The land being asked for in Tauranga Moana is not being done in arrogance but in fairness.

G.McIsaac, Welcome Bay.