United we thrive, divided we fail

As I sat in a cafe watching two young families from two different races enjoying each other's company, along with what looked like a 1-year-old and a newborn, it made me contemplate. It seemed like only a year or two ago that I was in the same position; yet next week my 1-year-old turns 25.

No doubt, sooner or later, it will be my grandchildren I will be looking at, and this makes me consider my future and theirs.

The world has become very complicated. Nothing is simple any longer; all of us, and our many societies, have baggage. What complicates matters even further is that races have many different cultural practices, cultural heritages, perspectives and traditions. This makes it harder for us all to get along.

Today an elderly person told me she could see a civil war in New Zealand. Maybe not in her time, she said, but to her it seemed inevitable, as she perceived a growing divide between Maori and European New Zealanders.

Growing income inequality, especially among Maori, certainly adds to the problem. Income inequality is an insidious problem and akin to the inflation of the 1980s in some ways. It is a very real threat to all of society, not just Maori. Then there is the growing frustration from both sides of the divide over the Treaty of Waitangi settlements.

Certainly, Maori have a right to have their claims settled, but now other issues such as water rights have gained significance in the public sphere. If we are to live in a nation without conflict, matters such as these need to be settled amicably.

It also means understanding another race's point of view and respecting their culture, perspectives and traditions. Respecting each other is important, because if anything irritates a person, it is disrespect. I would remind some readers that Maori do not have the monopoly in cultural heritage and tradition; Pakeha have it as well.

Take, for example, a dispute my family (along with a number of other families) is having with the Rakautaua No 9 Maori Trust over baches at the mouth of the Whangaehu River. The trust gained governance over the land as recently as 1990. No consideration was given at that time to bach owners on the land the trust acquired in the hand-over process.

The new executive of the trust now intends to remove the bach owners, whom they consider squatters, from the land (even though financial consideration is being paid and agreements for life occupancy had been agreed to in good faith by the original trust executive and bach owners).

Many of these bach owners have been there 50 or 60 years and, in the case of my family, this land has been a part of our family, and we a part of it, for over 100 years.

Some of the bach owners are in their 70s and 80s, and it's extremely upsetting for them.

It has been their way of life and part of their culture.

In fact, these baches have a cultural significance to all New Zealanders and have featured in a number of publications. They are a part of Kiwi heritage.

While Maori believe they have proprietary rights over such things as water, Whangaehu bach owners also see a proprietary right in this instance, as the land has great meaning and cultural significance for their families. The concept of proprietary rights attaches itself to the land and follows the land despite any changes in ownership.

These baches represent a pinprick footprint on the 345 acres for which the trust acts as guardians. There is ample room for trust beneficiaries to have their own buildings and allow current bach owners to remain. This would show respect for the cultural heritage of bach owners and their ancestors, some of whom have wished to have their ashes spread in the area - surely a sign of how significant the location is to these Pakeha whanau.

If Maori want to have their cultural heritage, perspectives and traditions respected, it is also important for Maori to return the favour.

While disagreements over written agreements may eventually be sorted out in the courts, having appreciation and working together to find a compromise and equitable agreement will ultimately ensure a better future for all New Zealanders. Feedback to: stevebaron@hotmail.co.nz

Steve Baron is a political commentator. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science & Economics. He is a published author; a regular columnist in various publications and founder of Better Democracy NZ