TE TIRITI O WAITANGI.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the founding document of New Zealand. Signed in 1840 by many chiefs of the North and South Islands along with Pakeha aristocrats. Overall it promises the ultimate chieftainship of a Pakeha law to a Maori lore. It includes the seas surrounding Aotearoa, everything special to the Maori people and everything natural on the land.
But... a Maori sees it being spat on to every side of the compass.
A Facebook page named TangataWhenua.com has recently posted a link titled "American Maori King beer is offensive and ignorant". A blunt overview is an American beer company named one of its beverages "Maori King" and subsequently there is anger amongst the Maori people. Personally these traits of ignorance, absolute arrogance and chauvinism annoy me alot and quite frankly Pakeha seem to be proud of these traits, because they are seen often today. What a people dont you think?
According to this post the company co founder Brad Lincoln has the cheek to say that "he found out there was a Maori King only when a New Zealander walked into their bar and told them". Shows how ignorant they are aye? He further adds "King Tuheitia would probably enjoy the beer and he is quite happy to send him a crate of bottles". Now this is absolute disrespect to elders. Do they know the simple rule respect elders? Obviously not!
Thank God Tuku Morgan has taken the role up to deal with these disrespectful people through establishing a "dialogue". They have already caused deep offense among the Maori. Under pakeha law we have our own "aristocrats" too.
KO MUTU.
A CIVILISED PEOPLE IN ORDER?
ReplyDeleteAs cunning as a fox and as sly as a snake. So too are the mainstream media when it comes to Maori issues. In return a fat pay cheque usually every week. Wanting to believe that Maori and Pakeha are living civilly and in order, is a joke to say instead.
The Herald has a cartoon that is titled "Dont Taser Me" the date is 26th of August 2011". It shows a police car and a smashed window of a building in the background. In the foreground a policeman is holding a taser ready to shoot the other person there with his hands up. He says to him "Dont shoot im only part Maori!", the policeman says "I'll halve the volatge" I recieve racism from this and the cartoon sends across how manipulative and scheming Pakeha can be. Even though humour is supposed to be gained from the cartoon he has taken it a step higher and made it degrading. Ignorance and irresponsibilty is obviously the cartoonist aim. I can say he's achieved it and good on him.
As a New Zealander I would accept that this is the truth and fit the pieces of the puzzle together around what else Mainstream Media say, and then end up with what it is to be a Maori. I dont accept this though.
Where is the crown? they must start taking control and cut this behaviour out amongst the Pakeha mainstream media. So that Maori then are believed to be contrary to what they are already portrayed to as by them.
KO MUTU.
The points made are valid but i think that what you are trying to say about the crown is not fully expressed or expressed further to make your point clearer. The crown is always going to be looking out for themselves and will never be willing to put themselves in a position where they are 'answering' maori queries properly. For example look at the 'principles' of the treaty. not only is this document the crown's way of getting what they believe is theirs, but its also a way that one may be able to more or less push te tiriti to the side and disregrd the rights that Maori willingly agreed to. The point i'm trying to make with my example is that the crown are going to do whats in the Crowns best interest not whats best for Maori. Benefits of being a minority in your own country.
ReplyDeleteIt's obvious you feel strongly about this, and so you should - but making gross generalisations such as "quite frankly Pakeha seem to be proud of these traits, because they are seen often today. What a people dont you think?" is not a helpful or a thoughtful response. I tend to agree with Ash in her comment to the second blog - while the points are valid, people need to get beyond what is a "rave", and set out ideas more thoughtfully and clearly. I hope this advice helps with future blogs.
ReplyDelete