Hundreds of local iwi and supporters are marching in Tauranga this morning in a display of unity and advocacy.
Local iwi Ngāi Te Rangi and hundreds of supporters have taken to Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui on Tuesday morning during a National Māori Action Day protest, expressing their concerns and discontent with the National-led Government’s stance on crucial Māori issues.
The protest is in response to the National-led coalition’s policies related to co-governance, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and also grievances such as the promise to repeal the smokefree generation law.
Protesters marched along Hewletts Road and Totara Street using the bus lane and the footpath to prevent the halt of traffic.
Ngāi Te Rangi CEO Paora Stanley says there are 17 actions that the coalition Government is taking that are anti- Māori.
Gathering at Whareroa Marae at 6.30am, iwi members and supporters began their protest with a karakia before walking from Jean Batten Drive along Hewlett Road to Totara Street and back to the Whareroa Reserve.
Protesters begin their march. Photo: Ayla Yeoman/ SunLive
The iwi says it is protesting the incoming Government’s policies of removing Te Tiriti o Waitangi from legislation. It says the Government wants to “rapidly dismantle three generations worth of work”.
"The Treaty of Waitangi affects all people of New Zealand, not just Māori," says iwi leader Charlie Tawhaio.
“The present government is trying to eradicate our people legislatively and pay off their election debt to their racist funders and backers,” says Paora.
Of the 17 actions he lists that are anti- Māori, Paora says of the coalition Government's plans to axe Te Aka Whai ora – “they did very little”, and the Kainga ora review –“they did nothing”.
The other 15 actions the new Government are taking, Paora says are also anti- Māori.
Hundreds flow down the side of Hewletts Road. Photo: Ayla Yeoman/ SunLive.
“National, Act and NZ First have agreed to support a Treaty Principles Bill up to the Select committee process, but it is unclear whether it will make it to a referendum or not,” says Paora.
“Which means I think National will try to kill it before it reaches select committee.
“It’s a fight National doesn’t need, it’s also indicative of Seymour now going quiet on it, he’s obviously been told to put his big undies on and shaddup.
“He will take some solace that it gets a little traction, and remain quiet when it gets destroyed along the way. Its intent from Seymour is anti-Māori.”
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"Honour te Tiriti". Photo: Ayla Yeoman/ SunLive.
Smoking legislation
Smoking legislation College of Public Health Medicine president Sir Collin Tukuitonga has said the reversal of the smokefree amendments would result in about 1000 extra deaths over the next decade, mostly Māori, and cost the health system $1.3 billion.
Commenting on this, Paora says public health teachings are really clear.
“Our people will die in disproportionate numbers.”
Passionate protesters march in unison. Photo: Ayla Yeoman/ SunLive.
Medical School
MAPAS - Māori and Pacific Admission scheme – has been operating since 1972 and helps to increase the numbers of Māori and Pacifica entering Medical School.
“I have taught on this programme; it’s immensely useful in getting Māori doctors on board,” says Paora.
“Particularly in this time or the lack of Māori doctors in the system at the moment. Pakeha students hate this scheme because they believe there are less seats for them at the highly contested medical school classes.
He says the newly formed Government have a ‘clearly anti- Māori focus’ in its approach to MAPAS.
Protesters of all ages rise for the cause. Photo: Ayla Yeoman/ SunLive.
Repeal of Canterbury Regional Council
“The Repeal of Canterbury Regional Council (Ngai Tahu representation Act 2022) is a direct attack on Ngai Tahu and is anti- Māori,” says Paora.
Māori wards
All three parties [National, ACT and NZ First] have agreed to restore the right to local referendum on the establishment or ongoing use of Māori wards, including requiring a referendum on any wards established without referendum at the next local body elections,” says Paora.
“This is an anti- Māori process and has brought about anti- Māori sentiment.
The three parties forming the new government have said all public service departments should have their primary name in English, except for those specifically related to Māori. This is an anti- Māori sentiment.”
Disestablishing Te Pukenga
“Māori in high numbers study at Te Pukenga, at least they were starting to make traction in the sector with our people.”
A sign carried by a protester. Photo: Ayla Yeoman/ SunLive.
Psudoephridrine sales
“The purpose of this ban was to decrease the numbers of Methamphetamine on the streets,” says Paora.
“Psudoephridrine is a major component used in the manufacture of Methamphetamine – Meth is rife amongst our people and putting more of this drug on the street through the increase in Psudoephridrine is terrible for our people.”
Legislation to ban gang patches
Paora says legislation to ban gang patches will only drive gangs in a different way and is anti- Māori in both intent and direction.
“I believe that legislation will drive a legal response from the gangs and everyone will get tied up in court.
“At least when gangs are wearing patches we will know they are in our midst. Its more click based politicking not recognizing the heavy white collar crime that’s driving gangs.”
Paora says it’s easier to classify Māori as angry and gangster.
“Yet there are some fantastic Māori programmes which are proven to lower incarceration rates, for example Te Pai Oranga.
“This and other crime programmes coming out of the coalition government is about locking up people. At some point this country has to learn it won’t arrest its way out of crime.”
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Protesters marching along Hewletts Road. Photo: Ayla Yeoman/ SunLive
Section 27 cultural reports
“Stopping taxpayer funding for section 27 cultural reports means our people won’t be heard in a court with respects to their cultural issues. It’s a direct attack on Māori and clearly an anti-Māori sentiment.”
Public Service cuts
The coalition government is planning to move public service cuts from 2 per cent to 6.5 per cent.
“The Public Service is already torn apart, this will fundamentally destroy them. Our people will struggle getting traction in a broken public health system.”
Restoring 90-day employment trial periods for all businesses
National's leader Christopher Luxon confirmed in August the party would bring back the old settings for 90-day trials.
“This law disadvantages Māori and immigrants and is put hard against our people in employment. It was once only for government departments but now it’s across the private sector,” says Paora.
"Treaties are not meant to be settled, they're meant to be honoured". Photo: Ayla Yeoman/ SunLive.
Repealing Labour’s Three Waters legislation
“It’s what National campaigned on and became a racist voice against Māoridom,” says Paora.
Repealing Labour’s Resource Management Act 2.0 laws
National’s ‘100 day action plan’ includes a commitment to repeal Labour’s RMA 2.0 legislation and introduce a fast-track consenting regime.
“A lot of this [Labour’s new bills] was recognition of Māori voice in RMA,” says Paora who says National’s plans for the RMA are anti- Māori.
Increasing virtual participation in court proceedings
“If you have ever been in virtual court proceedings it cuts off a lot of Māori nuances in the court process. It’s a cost saving measure that doesn’t have the full Māori person’s context to be heard.”
The chant. Photo: Ayla Yeoman/ SunLive.
Hewletts Road protest on Tuesday
The protest is also highlighting longstanding grievances and emphasizing the need for genuine dialogue and meaningful change.
Ngāi Te Rangi launched a series of protest actions in September when iwi leader Charlie Tawhiao highlighted that the Ngāi Te Rangi Settlement Deed, inked in 2013 to address historical grievances, remains in a state of stagnation as the Crown fails to make substantial progress.
Frustrated by the prolonged delay in achieving justice, Ngāi Te Rangi initiated a traffic disruption in Totara Street to draw public attention to the serious issue, and to remind the Crown, despite which political party was going to form the next Government, that their case is urgent, requiring priority.
“When we signed our Deed in 2013 it was with the expectation that the painful, and in our view unreasonable concessions that we had to make in order to get our settlement across the line would be the end of it,” says Charlie.
He says ten years from the date of signing is far too long for the settlement to be resolved, saying they signed it “in good faith”.
Over the decade of delays, sadly, some of the local iwi leaders have passed away without seeing justice delivered.
7 comments
You can be bigger. S/W
Posted on 05-12-2023 14:18 | By Opinion100
Hey i am maori and was late to work because of your stupid protest. Maori dont even know what Maori want. you know it stupid when a main point they are bringing up is gang patches. what do you expect people to think of this? good get rid of them. theres no need for them. To what do they put back into the community? some do yes but most find it an easy way to intimidate people not pay tax and be lazy fcuks. sell drugs radi ra. Pointless what would be a better use of there time is to clean there yard and paint there house. i would also like to add that they are very much their own people. very rarely they can co mingle. it stems from elders right though to youth. change is what they want but wont do simple answer be open to change.
Anti-Maori?
Posted on 05-12-2023 14:50 | By morepork
I don't think the measures being taken are "Anti-Maori"; rather, they are aimed at re-establishing a level playing field for ALL NZers. The previous coalition was committed not to "equality" but to "Maori dominance". There is no doubt that legislation was passed to give Maori advantage. That can't work for ANY ethnicity; including European. Racism has its roots in unfairness. Somebody sees somebody else getting a better deal than they can get, simply because of skin colour. It causes festering resentment. The time has come for all of us to grow up and work together to build a diverse nation with equal rights, respect, opportunities, and support for ALL (of the 200 different ethnicities who live here currently). ANYONE who needs help should be able to get it, and it shouldn't depend on your skin colour or ANY other prejudicial attribute; being a citizen should be enough.
Requiring responsibility ISN'T "Anti-Maori".
Posted on 05-12-2023 15:10 | By morepork
The fundamental base for everything has to be FAIRNESS. You cannot impose a prohibition on the entire population because a part of it isn't able to handle something. The previous government implemented a PCWoke "Nanny state" that sought to remove the need for personal responsibility. Now the pendulum is swinging the other way and we are required to be more responsible. It isn't OK to say: "Our people will die in disproportionate numbers". What are you going to DO about it? Start encouraging "our people" to stop smoking (everyone else had to...). Change the culture. Similarly with methamphetamine. Pseudoephedrine HCL is an important and effective decongestant. Should we have to watch our kids suffer from hay fever and asthma because some of "our people" misuse it...? No. let's change the minds of some of "our people". Indeed, lets get ALL NZers to a more responsible worldview.
Change will be felt.
Posted on 05-12-2023 15:24 | By morepork
The new government has been given a mandate to dismantle much of the previous PCWoke legislation. Don't confuse this with Racism; there is no attempt here to obtain racial advantage for anybody; only to remove or dilute some existing cases of it. Where previously we spent millions setting up a specific organization to handle a specific problem for a specific section of the community, the new government is seeking to provide single services for ALL and to re-absorb that funding for the benefit of everyone. Obviously, there are some specific ethnic and cultural requirements (e.g. everyone has a right to expect language support, but English will be dominant. It isn't Anti-Maori, it's because most people speak and understand English...) and these will be extended into the single existing service. The aim is good service for EVERYBODY. Some people will feel the change more than others. Seek help if needed.
Thankyou 'Morepork' ....
Posted on 05-12-2023 15:58 | By Equality
.... for how succinctly you have summed up the political situation in NZ. This is generally perceived to be the case - by all but the small handful of miscreants and radicals who would prefer to believe otherwise.
@Opinion100
Posted on 06-12-2023 13:35 | By morepork
I believe you are not alone. Many Maori are unhappy with the way a small "lunatic fringe" which pretends to speak for "Maori" simply seeks to disrupt and make life more difficult for all of us. It does not advance the serious issues which some iwi may have, and it causes annoyance with "Maori" as a group, biases the community against "Maori", and adds fertilizer to existing pockets of racism. Probably, the majority of the protesters were there simply to support their ethnicity and with no idea what the real issues were. People have a right to protest, but they should consider carefully how they do so and try for minimum disruption, just as a matter of good public relations. Sadly, the people who organized this North Island protest are more driven by frustration at losing an election than advancing Maori or the nation as a whole.
@Equality
Posted on 06-12-2023 13:49 | By morepork
I have been heartsick over the state of our country for the last few years and watched as a surreptitious attempt to replace a parliamentary democracy with rule by tribal tikanga was worked out as a bloodless coup, by a group of political opportunists who influenced a weak government into compliance. They came within a whisker of achieving it, and it was really only at the last minute that the people woke up. I really appreciate your support, as the only tools I have are words, and I hope you are right about the general perception of the population. We have a chance to build an incredibly successful diverse nation where ALL can be proud to be part of it. We can have 200 ethnicities living with mutual respect, fairness, equality and goodwill together. It could be a model for other countries to emulate.
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