SEPARATISM HAS NO PLACE TODAY How can you advocate equality for Maori but want separate electoral seats? A T A recent conference I heard Paul Moon from AUT University speak. He is one of New Zealand’s best-selling authors of New Zealand history. Professor Moon explained the origin of the Maori seats. In early New Zealand only men over the age of 25 who owned a reasonable amount of land could vote. Parliamentarians of the time wanted to give Maori the right to vote, however Maori land was communally owned. So in 1867 they decided to create Maori seats, only intending them to last five or six years. It is interesting to note that Maori could vote before women and before landless Pakeha men and men under 25. Women got to vote in 1893. Our highest ranking Maori politician Sir James Carroll (the first Maori to be knighted) who won the Eastern Maori seat (now Ikaroa-Rawhiti) in 1887 fought against separatism. He lost the seat but stood in the general seat of Waiapu, winning it then later winning Gisborne. He wanted the Maori seats gone, believing Maori could stand alone and win as he proved. His career was distinguished with being a cabinet minister and twice acting prime minister. HOW CAN YOU ADVOCATE EQUALITY FOR MAORI BUT WANT SEPARATE ELECTORAL SEATS? The whole concept is condescending and a little bit sanctimonious. Maori are arguably over-represented in government being represented in every party, moreover showing there is no one Maori view. Helen Clarke said it’s up to Maori to decide when the Maori seats should go. I think we have decided, 56 per cent of us now being on the general roll. I can see why Labour wants to keep them, because they are traditionally tied to the Labour Party. My father (a full blood Maori) always saw things politically from a working man’s point of view rather than the so called Maori point of view. Those of us who want to get on and do stuff pull up our socks and do so, finding no obstacles in the way of discrimination. Look at the many Maori doing well in Australia. We have to get rid of the victim mentality and any ideas of separatism if Maori people are going to succeed. Getting rid of separate seats, laws and rules is a start, and then we can say we are equal. By Brent Reid Hawkes Bay Today newspaper article 13/8/14
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 04:22:48 +0000
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