Summit a big surprise for those on the ground

For Strathmore sickness beneficiary Sarah Tekira, the news from the Hui Taumata Maori economic summit of a cultural and economic renaissance comes as a shock.

She agrees that Maori have surged ahead since the last summit held in 1984 - but she was surprised that plans for their economic direction were being hammered out at Te Papa in downtown Wellington, just 15 minutes' drive from her home.

Mrs Tekira, like all spoken to in the state-house-sprinkled Wellington suburb, was unaware that over the past few days Maoridom's cultural elite were mapping out their future.

But the Ngati Porou woman echoes several of the themes under discussion. She is sick of hearing about Maori grievances and, like Labour Party political hopeful Shane Jones, believes it is time to look to the future.

"Forget the past, get grievances settled so we can lay it to rest. No more arguing and fighting over the land, the mountains and the sea."

And the staunch Winston Peters supporter - " He tells you what he thinks" - believes iwi organisations need to be involved in supporting their own.

"Take the money off Winz [Work and Income] and give it to iwi - they know best how to help whanau."

She urges Maori leaders to empower iwi members by ability not age. "It doesn't matter how old you are. If you know what you are talking about then stand up. If you don't - excuse me - sit down and shut up."

Putting people forward on ability not family connections, she believes will put an end to news of Maori business failures, and scandal such as that enveloping Maori tertiary institute, Te Wananga o Aotearoa.

"Our leaders are too busy fighting each other instead of getting on with the job of helping our people. "Maori future is looking good, our leaders need to make sure it continues."

Upper Hutt father of three Arron Corby, of Ngati Kahungunu descent, believes grassroots Maori are too busy providing for family to plan economic direction. "The priority for Maori is doing the mahi [work] to feed our whanau."

He said iwi steps to get young Maori off the streets were a priority. "Get them into training, give them something constructive to do."

And he favoured bringing through a new generation of leaders, based on ability not age.

Tania Moloney, 25, of Tuhoe descent, agreed that Maori had experienced a cultural renaissance.

"Our household is fluent, all my three children speak the reo."

Educated at Massey University, she urges iwi and the Government to continue to support young Maori seeking higher education. And she believes it is time to put an end to Maori grievances and infighting. "No more fighting to get the land back, and holding on to old grudges." The message of promoting leaders on ability rather than whakapapa is also supported, but she is less enthusiastic about talk of an economic renaissance. "Our culture is doing well, but if there is an economic renaissance it is being enjoyed by only a few."

Shane Connell, of Tainui descent, shrugs his shoulders at suggestions of a financial and cultural boom. "If there is a boom going on, our leaders must be keeping it for themselves."

The Porirua labourer said feeding families was a daily battle for many Maori, but he wants a new generation of leaders equipped with all the skills needed for modern times. And he has a message for the nation's Maori leaders, despite being unaware they were in town. "You have been doing all the talking, now let's see some action."

* Views from the hui

Archie Taiaroa, Whanganui Maori Trust chairman

"There has been an enthusiasm to move forward - a call to all iwi to be united not only in ourselves." The strong messages delivered by rangatahi (young people) showed the gains of the past 20 years would be enhanced and continued.

June McCabe, business leader

A key message was a desire to remove "ego" and "historical differences" to enable Maori to work together, "to work collaboratively, to leverage economies of scale". This included collaboration with businesses, unions, Government.

Professor Mason Durie, Maori academic

References to the Treaty of Waitangi did not figure significantly in speeches. "In 1984 every speech made reference to honouring the treaty. This time the focus was on development."

Professor Ngata Love, who chaired the 1984 Hui Taumata

A key message was the impact the growing Maori population will have on the economy, and how important it was for all that Maori succeed.