If white New Zealanders think that there is equality in this country then they are wearing blinkers. Read the history books written by Pakeha scholars, such as Anne Salmond and Michael King to get a real understanding of what Maori have been through before you dare to have an opinion.

Tena koutou e te Iwi whanui o Aotearoa NZ. Well we have come of age. Recognising the beauty and the beast as they are ...at odds with Kotahitanga while majoritarian politiking plays hide and seek (excuse the pun) with Humanity in Aotearoa NZ. What is positive about this is ...the awakening of Nation wide understanding that excluding the Wellbeing of Iwi Maori in the life of a Nation wounded and broken by Colonial arrogance and Imperial grandeur will only continue ...with the majoritarian rejection of Iwi Maori Sovereignty in something as seemingly de centralized as a City Council but ...this is where precedent and ratification house political legitimacy. Taxes, rates and waste. The Three key ingrediants of Local council vote catching. Kei te mihi aroha tenei ki nga kaimahi e tautoko ana a Rodney Hide. No amount of tell -a-lie-vision is going to transform you now.

Heioi ano whanau, kei te mihi kau ana ki a tatou nga kanohi ora tena koutou, tena koutou otira tena tatou katoa.

Why should Maori fight so hard for what is rightfully theirs?

It is great to see people standing up for what they believe in. There are so many posts here; putting across a message of Te Ao Maori being nothing more than the remnants of a defeated race, but the hikoi certainly outlines the opposite. There has been so much pain in the past, handed down through many families regarding various legislations that sought to obliterate the Maori culture, and specific aspects of it.

Such as the restriction of Te Reo, and the beatings that would follow in the education sector if it were spoken, the use of Rongoa being outlawed in the 1907 Tohunga Suppression Act – which was finally lifted in 1962. The 1940/1950s pepper potting policy ensuring Maori were housed apart, in a bid to assimilate Maori into a ‘main stream’ society. A clear demonstration that ‘assimilation’ didn’t work in the end… to the punishment of Rua Kenana after he laid the foundation of Maungapohatu in a bid to grant his people self sufficiency.

The fact that elements of Matauranga Maori can now be assimilated into Kaupapa Maori for preservation in today’s world – ensures the survival of this beautiful culture, something our nation should be proud of not abhorred to.

To be a part of a culture that has faced adversities and suppression, yet still come out as strong (and peaceful) as the Hikoi demonstrated is uplifting. It is unfortunate New Zealand will never be one nation, but at the same time it is necessary in order to preserve the factions our beautiful nation is made of today.

In regards to the arguments of ‘full blooded Maori’ it doesn’t matter how much, or how little you are – whether you feel a part of it or not makes all the difference in the world; regardless of what the census used to outline which in turn was aligned with the 1974 Maori Affairs Act on the definition of Maori descent anyway… To the comments containing ‘get over it’ – This is Maori getting over it.

Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu. He manu hou, ahau he pi ka rere Kia kaha

Yep, I'm back again. TP #263 This is fantastic champ, Aoterroa-mate it is New Zealand.......the treaty happened over 100 years ago, can we please get on with it. You have had land gifted to you, fishing rights etc. How much more do you want or think you are entitled too? Its over, start living as a Kiwi and be proud of that fact!! I understand the meaning of democracy. I also understand that the multiculturalism of Aotearoa makes it a richer and better place. I also understand that this is the one and only bastion for Maoridom, and if it is suppressed or lost it is lost from the world. For that reason alone, it is worth fighting for. Maori hold a lot of values that non-Maori do not (and often do not wish to) understand. The idea that land is more than a commodity to buy and sell; we are physically tied to the land through whakapapa. The Land is our ancestor. Tangata whenua is quite literally People OF the Land. We do not own it - we are part of it. The large monetary values (through settlements) are a result of the Crown being unable (or unwilling) to restore land and resources, which are ALWAYS the first choice for Maori claimants. And those values are miniscule compared to the value placed on confiscated lands and resources (which can range in the billions, such as the Taranaki claim). It is not a race-based issue: it is a rights based issue. Maori rights as tangata whenua, as recognised under countless bits of legislation, are being threatened here. The ROYAL COMMISSION, who suggested the Supercity scheme, also suggested the 3 seat representation of tangata whenua (not Maori, but Tangata Whenua; the iwi OF Auckland). How can you accept one recommendation and reject the other, considering obligations under both Article 2 and the Principles of the Treaty? How is that acting in good faith?

This isn't about Maori getting more than everyone else just because of their skin colour, its about us as a nation letting the government know that they're not allowed to just bully us around and do what they want. They can't just switch s4it up when and where they feel like it. Don't be so quick to let race manipulate your opinion. Thats what the government wants. To dilute the truth by making the masses get sensitive about where they stand in the scheme of things i.e Why should Maori be treated diferently etc.

Maori people are what make NZ unique. Its the tattoo most kiwis get when they go abroad, Maori or not. Its part of being a Kiwi. Its only when things get looked upon in some sort of racist tone, that people start resenting Maori for having any sort of "special" rights.

Like it or not, Maori are the native people of the land. The treaty is an internatinally recognised document. To say forget the treaty would be like telling Americans to just forget the Declaration of Independence, The Emancipation Proclomation. In other words you're talking non-sense.

If you are a Kiwi I believe you have, we have Maori within us. NZers should all be called Maori! Not NZers.

Don't let the government and media fool you. This hikoi isn't for Maori only, this is for all of us! NZ has teh trouubles it does not because the Maori are treated differently its because of the poor decisions made by corrupt governments who only care about themselves. Just look at the great big gap between rich and poor. Thats not Maori, thats corruption at the highest level.

I wonder how many of these people who seem to think Maori have more rights than others (or even equal rights), would be happy to do everything kaupapa Maori/the Maori way ? If that was imposed upon YOU as the Pakeha system currently is on Maori, you'd be on your hind legs and protesting within minutes!

SARAH #18

RIGHT ON CHICK! i couldnt put it better myself.

An absolute disgrace... If the treaty gives them rights to disrupt traffic it should be destroyed. All rights should plain and simply be equal. People are who they are - not elevated in this world by their ancestory.

Re: Peter #272. So if an alien species invades Earth. And we fight to protect our world and later, these same aliens say, let stop fighting. And build a future together in partnership, as one people. So in trust we form a treaty, a legal document as a founding basis of two species moving forward as one. You are saying that it would be okay later if in hundred years time if this technologically superior alien species, says 'actually you can get stuffed earth-man' banns your culture, your language and by force treats you like **. Then as time goes on, as other aliens from other planets live on the earth, who are not part of the earth-alien treaty. So aliens begin to outnumber humans 10 to 1. But say, what are you complaining for, the alien-earth is B.S anyway. Democracy is the way forward... you lack integrity Peter. Remember what comes around goes around.