New Zealand losing democracy rapidly
Many unaware as what we hold dear and for granted slips.
Treaty of waitangi
Is NZ as Stable as Luxon Claims?
By pursuing cuts, selling off assets to multinationals, enabling ACT’s attacks on the Treaty and cutting back on climate commitments, Luxon is guaranteeing that NZ will not be stable for long, writes Elliot Crossan.
Will This Be a One-Term Government?
Elliot Crossan at System Change Aotearoa reviews the past year. Despite the tepid public support for this government’s problematic actions, he warns that ‘The Right Is United By Power — Don’t Underestimate Them’
Attorney General’s constitutional advice on Treaty Principles bill will be interesting
David Seymour finally released some hard information about Act’s coalition bone – Treaty Principles bill. The regulatory impact statement is damning and points to the status quo as being preferable. It will provide an interesting scope for Judith Collins in her non-partisan role as Attorney-General.
Wanted: Dead or Alive? The Treaty of Waitangi
Is the Treaty a contemporary guide or an archaic historical document?
About that Speech from the Throne
The new Government blows the dog-whistle like the pied piper.
Waitangi Day reading
“It’s a road we are travelling together” – Sharon Murdoch
Prime Minister Ardern’s Waitangi Day speech
The text of Prime Minister Jacinta Ardern’s Waitangi Day speech
Collins’ really bad take on te Tiriti
Last weekend Judith Collins spoke to the Northern Regional Conference of the National Party and gave as crude an analysis of te Tiriti as you can imagine.
Ihumātao deal imminent
Radio New Zealand is reporting that a deal on Ihumātao is imminent and that Cabinet is expected to sign off on the deal today.
The MPs go to Waitangi
Yesterday the political parties were welcomed onto the upper Marae at Waitangi. Jacinda Ardern took the occasion to give a stock take of what the Government was doing to address Iwi concerns, Andrew Little gave his speech totally in te reo, and Simon Bridges chose to use the opportunity to politic.
Should teaching about the Treaty of Waitangi be compulsory?
It was sure refreshing to see the current head of the National Party saying on Waitangi Day that teaching of New Zealand history should be compulsory in the New Zealand curriculum.
Waitangi Day 2017
Well the lead-up to Waitangi Day this year has certainly had its fair share of drama!
You can read Andrew Little’s thoughts on the day here: Andrew Little: Waitangi a day for all of us to come together
He isn’t a racist because his ex wife is from Singapore
Don Brash and a group of other predominately privileged white males are complaining that Maori may also be receiving some privilege.
Marama Fox to Richard Prosser: how much more do we have to be dicked around?
The New Zealand First MP had no answers for the Māori Party co-leader after NZF pulled their support for five major Treaty settlements at the eleventh hour.
I hope Ngati Whatua have a really good Mokopuna day
According to some Ngati Whatua wanting to use Okahu Bay for a Mokopuna day has created something of a crisis. Maybe not for us or anyone who is reasonable but for the rednecks and the rabid right.
Campbell on separatism scaremongering
The excellent Gordon Campbell on Key’s divisive and opportunistic lines on “Maori separatism”.
Tino Rangatiratanga
It has been claimed that Andrew Little has advocated for Maori to have law making powers. What he has done is reflect on a recent Waitangi Tribunal decision which concluded that Maori never ceded sovereignty to the Crown and properly concluded that this is an issue that needs to be considered.
Guest Post – Waitangi Day, build a bridge and get over it
A Guest Post by David Meech presenting an irreverent view of Waitangi day, and New Zealand history and culture.
Orewa – 11 years on
Has it really been 11 years since Brash’s infamous Orewa speech? Yesterday Gareth Morgan gave a very different kind of speech there…
National identity
A recent report from the Waitangi Tribunal questions the “constitutional” foundation of NZ and challenges the received wisdom of our history.
He Whakaputanga me te Tiriti – The Declaration and the Treaty
The Waitangi Tribunal has released an important decision stating its opinion that chiefs never intended to cede Maori sovereignty when signing the Te Reo version of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Some thoughts on Waitangi Day
Some thoughts on the nature of the Treaty of Waitangi and the need to continue with the treaty settlement process.