Letters to the editor: It isn't wrong to want the same advantages

If Māori had been treated fairly as promised in the Treaty, they wouldn't have to be fighting to right all the wrongs brought about by Europeans treating them as conquered rather than as equals, says a reader. Photo / NZME

If Māori were treated fairly, according to the Treaty of Waitangi's third article, they wouldn't need to be fighting for their rights.

Flip the scenario to back then and Māori were in the majority and able to vote, it was downhill from there until Māori seats were established.

Just because the majority rules, does not mean it's fair to put roadblocks in place to stop minorities from having the same advantages.

Europeans have had more than 5000 years to assimilate progress from the Stone Age; Māori have had less than 400 years.

Their original heritage is still a major part of their perspective on life and should be respected.

Just because something isn't done the European way doesn't mean it's wrong and should be ignored.

If Māori had been treated fairly as promised in the Treaty, they wouldn't have to be fighting to right all the wrongs brought about by Europeans treating them as conquered rather than as equals.

Barbara Baldwin
Te Puke

Fairness and tolerance required

I am a Pākehā and the petition being distributed is, in my view, a disgrace.

Maybe supporters should be asking to lower their health outcomes to be equivalent to Māori so we are all equal as some people would want.

People should either lift others up to make society better - or stop moaning and lower their own standards.

Being Pākehā should not be a privilege nor a threat to others in our society.

As for New Zealand's history being taught in schools, isn't it time to tell the truth instead of the one-sided one we got taught?

Fairness, tolerance, and a better society are required.

New Zealand is made up of many cultures. If we honour our Pākehā and Māori history and right the wrongs, that brings better tolerance for all that choose to live here in this wonderful country.

Stop trying to divide us and start uniting us, appreciate both our languages, culture.

And those people who jeered the speaker recently in Tauranga should hang their heads in utter shame.

Maxine Gillard
Tokoroa

Concern over racial undertones

Making excuses for the shocking reaction from the Tauranga Ratepayers Alliance event does not hide the serious racial undertones lurking amongst our communities.

For far too long I have heard terms like "your", "you", "them", "those" people, being casually tossed around in conversation while living out daily life in this town.

Casual racism is still racism.

Seeing as sign language is an official language of Aotearoa, the next time I see someone using sign language should I be upset and deem this inconsiderate because I don't understand what's being said?

Rob Beilby
Te Puna

Regional council responds

In response to Ross W Ogle (Letters, June 3), the Bay of Plenty Regional Council wanted to provide an update on some of the flood protection work we have been doing.

As a region that knows the devastating effects of flooding, our thoughts are with everyone down south.

The 2017 extreme weather events caused significant damage to our river and drainage networks here in the Bay of Plenty. We've been working hard to repair the damage and have so far completed repairs at 496 of the 520 identified sites and expect to complete the remaining in the coming months.

Alongside these repairs, we have been making steady progress on the floodway and spillway project near Edgecumbe.

This will divert floodwater away from the Rangitāiki River in major events and is expected to be completed by the end of next year.

We have also completed the first of three floodwall upgrades on the Rangitāiki River. The construction at the second site near Thornton School is expected to start this month and we are discussing the design of the Edgecumbe site, which is downstream from the main breach site, with directly affected landowners.

Our engineers are also constantly monitoring, maintaining and upgrading our $370 million investment in flood defences around the region.

Mark Townsend
Engineering manager
Bay of Plenty Regional Council

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