Don Brash crowd stand side by side but poles apart

By JO-MARIE BROWN

Pakeha John Martelli and Raewyn Pepene, a Maori, stood just metres apart yesterday in Rotorua's central city precinct as they listened to Don Brash.

Both had decided to brave the cold wind to hear why the National leader believed race-based funding and policies should cease.

Both watched intently as the man with the microphone rebuffed hecklers and explained why New Zealanders should be treated on the basis of need, not skin colour.

Mr Martelli, a Reporoa dairy farmer who says he has always been a National Party supporter, said Dr Brash's policy on race-based funding and the Treaty of Waitangi sums up how he and his friends feel.

"There seems to be more and more favourable policies being implemented within hospitals, schools and Government departments that are basically giving privileges to Maori over Europeans," Mr Martelli said.

"Living in Rotorua, we notice it a lot because there's a large Maori population here."

The 44-year-old father of three was pleased that race relations had shot to the top of the political agenda.

"We should be able to speak up about it without feeling embarrassed or guilty. Up until now we've been branded racist as soon as we broach the topic," he said.

"If it's allowed to go on for another five or 10 years then there's going to be a violent revolt. It's better we sort it out now and debate it properly."

But in Rotorua, Maori make up more than one-third of the population and there were plenty who disagreed with National's stance.

Raewyn Pepene, flushed with anger, said Dr Brash was lying and stirring up trouble by claiming Maori enjoyed preferential treatment.

Ms Pepene works as a receptionist at a Maori health clinic in Rotorua and said the patients she sees were in desperate need of extra help. "They haven't given us any extra privileges. There's no funding, no nothing for the Maori people.

"Half of the Maori immersion schools are in danger of shutting down because there's no funding for them," the 23-year-old said.

"I think Europeans are turning a blind eye to our situation. There's a lot of them out there that can get jobs just like that. They don't have to worry about money.

"But they should take a walk in Maori shoes for a day, get their wages for a day and then say whether or not there should be special privileges. They wouldn't like it."