The use of the 'R' word can stir up a lot of emotion, more so from those who continue to deny it exists. Of course I'm talking about the word racism, a word I used recently when talking about those who spoke against the decision by the council on the Te Arawa Partnership Proposal. In fact, the word was used only twice in my release.
"Racism has been defeated by fairness, justice and reason today" and, "During the submission hearings, the people of Te Arawa have had to stare at, and sit next to, the ugly face of racism, but today it was booted out the door, and rightfully so."
Not once did I mention any particular opposing group, or even name individuals, so I find it quite bemusing reading the responses by some groups and individuals who have felt the need to write letters to the editor complaining about it. I won't spend too much time on this, other than to say that I know my thoughts were echoed by many, including a number of councillors who acknowledged the covert racism they had read throughout many submissions. People who do not experience racism, whether institutionalised, covert, or in your face on a regular basis have no right to deny that it exists for those of us who are affected by it.
I attended the final day of submissions and managed to get in early and listen to a number of speakers before me, who were nothing short of inspirational; in fact, I wish I had been able to attend more of the hearing days to listen to others. Listening to those before me who spoke in support of the proposal, I concluded there was a recurring theme around inclusiveness - tatau tatau.
Of how the tangata whenua of Rotorua-Te Arawa have a rich history here and are certainly more than simply 'a special interest group'.
Whakapapa was retold by some - naming their tupuna going back eight or nine generations, indeed many of our streets are named after these ancestors. On the other hand, submissions by those against the proposal, both given verbally and in writing had recurrent themes of denial. Denial that Te Arawa gifted land to start with, denial that Te Arawa were anything other than another minority group dwelling in this city, denial that Te Arawa people have the skills to sit at council.
My verbal submission focused more on the history of democracy in Aotearoa as a whole. I spoke to a power point presentation that was playing through which I use often in policy and political studies classes to educate people about how Mori in Aotearoa have, over the years, lost a voice in democratic processes due to the colonisation process which has stripped us of numbers. I explained how democracy plays out in Parliament right now, and how, despite Maori having seven dedicated seats in a Parliament of 121, the only seats that actually have a real shot at decision-making in our Parliament are the two that belong to the Maori Party who were invited to sit at the decision-making table with the current Government.
This is exactly what the people of Te Arawa are asking for in a local Government context. To no longer be an advisory board that is talked at but not listened to, but instead to have one or two people at the table, influencing decisions on behalf of the iwi who gifted the land our city is built on.
I commend the mayor and council for taking the courageous step to have this discussion and to agreeing to a better and more effective partnership with the people of this land, tatau tatau.
I welcome your feedback. Email messages to mpwaiariki@parliament.govt.nz Phone 0508 924 274
-Te Ururoa Flavell is the Waiariki MP and co-leader of the Maori Party.
