Treaty no partnership but means we are equal

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

Re: Call for more commitment to treaty, Sept 16 story.

A better solution would be Crown recognition of the pre-European Maori economic paradigm — one that used resources wisely — gifting to the future, not loading debt on to our mokopuna.

It means that the Crown would have to really symbolise our nation’s economic sovereignty, not subservience to foreign money-lenders.

Heather Marion Smith

Please Josh, read Te Tiriti o Waitangi and show me where the word “partnership” appears. To suggest the establishment of an upper house made up of 50 percent Maori representatives and 50 percent Crown representatives is quite ridiculous. How can you suggest that they would make a fair decision for all? How could a group from 12 percent of our population have such a degree of control over new laws that would affect the other 88 percent of our residents?

The Treaty was not written to give Maori such a degree of power. There is no partnership. I have a copy of Te Tiriti and find no mention of that word anywhere. The Treaty was a document to give Maori certain guidance over contestable issues and at the same time ensure that everything was fair and equitable.

Maori were well protected by Te Tiriti but they had to also be aware that they were not the only race now residing in our country. The Treaty was designed to protect Maori rights over a variety of issues, while at the same time also protecting the rights of the new residents.

When chiefs signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Governor Hobson stated with each signature, “we are now one people”.

“One people” does not constitute a partnership, it simply means we are all equal. If we are all equal, then please explain to me how is it that you and many others think that Maori deserve more than Pakeha. Sorry, but I cannot understand that logic.

While I appreciate your views, Josh, please remember I, like yourself, am simply expressing an opinion. Surely, I am at least allowed that.

Mike Mulrooney