I am bemused by the current attitude of Maori grievers/appeasers/protesters/apologists and separatists. In 1998 I can recall a passage, circa 1940's, attributed to Sir Peter Buck (Te Rangi Hiroa), the noted maori politician and anthropologist. He said: - 'beware of separatism. The Maori can do anything the pakeha can do but in order to achieve this, we must all be New Zealanders first – one nation, one people, closely knit people, a people of singular contentment, a people of a sense of trust and mission, a people no longer insular. 'Above all, we must all work together – work, work, work – and have a national pride and character built upon faith and love which is our greatest heritage.”
His view, it seems, was shared by Sir Apirana Ngata, politician and lawyer and Sir Maui Pomare, doctor and politician. These respected maori statesmen all made the grade progressing the interests of maori people without demeaning themselves or their race in any way. What they said accorded with the view I had when I attended school in the 40s and 50s of NZ and all its peoples.
If the militant separatists don't subscribe to that philosophy, then let all New Zealanders hear it right now. It is a simple question, YES or NO? New Zealanders who are being bombarded with continual special claims and demands for special payments, privileges and treatment are entitled to know where they stand.
Beware of separatism - let us all strive to be New Zealanders first and foremost.

R Paterson, Matapihi.