Michael Laws: Māori Wards Are Inherently Racist & Philosophically Wrong

Michael Laws: Māori Wards are inherently racist & philosophically wrong.
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[@jmcham1000]

“When people get used to preferential treatment, equal treatment seems like discrimination.” ― Thomas Sowell

[@namrepusprime6793]

Great quote.

[@lynnebarnes3840]

​@@namrepusprime6793my thoughts exactly.

[@Winstonsmithsalias]

His essay on equality vs equity is similarly accurate. Yet our government has written equity into all our recent legislation. We are doomed to repeat the mistakes of communism.

[@annekevandenberg1635]

Communism...When we all struggle together because our equity was forced/mandated down to the lowest common denominator.

[@Tebbypantgungun]

Good one! Thomas Sowell is under quoted. Great man.

[@peterobertson2086]

Well said. I agree 100 percent.

[@muttleybones1330]

Every mayor that signed the petition opposing democratic voting on this issue should be made to watch this.

[@aguy6833]

you realise contractual law isn't democratic? or do we all get to group up and decide your house isn't yours?

[@brianmarshall1762]

@@aguy6833totally not relevant to anything discussed here.

[@rattedbug5003]

The platform needs a tv channel for all public to see.

[@djhemirukahemisphere8893]

nearly every council in the country supports Maori wards.

[@freespeech1859]

@@djhemirukahemisphere8893 That's why the government has had to change the law on this issue

[@briansatchell2319]

You are 100% correct Michael. The Maori have NO more Rights than any other Rate Payer or Citizen for a particular Region

[@lynnebarnes3840]

Tell Them that!! Lol even after an election in which the vast majority of Maori ( only one in 6 Maori voted for the Maori Party) and the rest of NZ voted for change. Read the room Maori. We had the election less than a year ago.

[@FrankAhKuoi]

Good Michael yes you are right 👍 we all New Zealanders

[@sampreece]

@@lynnebarnes3840As a Māori, you don’t have to tell me, lol. My question to other Māori is: What has the Maori culture offered to society other than what was already inherent or universally practiced? Other than some degree of knowledge regarding native plants, Celtic-inspired artwork and a unique language, I struggle to think of anything.

[@tracymichaelsen493]

​@@sampreeceIf everything Maori was erased. What would NZ be? It can't be erased so it must evolve. This is the problem. Is NZ to blend or keep division. Te reo is an example. If not mainstream it will not blend in. If Maori anything isn't in mainstream then it will never blend or evolve. My mother was Maori and thought just like you do. Maori is uncomfortable to mainstream because it's been excluded. All areas Maori in education for example those were all hard fought for. Lots of paheka are comfortable with Maori now due to these efforts. Mainstream is clearly not. And refuses to even entertain this form of unity because it would equal equality. Equality is when race no longer matters to mainstream. We are a long way from that. We are still a young country. So time will tell. It's sad you see no value in Maori.

[@dave24-73]

Especially if that area doesn’t have a single Maori living there which may be the case in some places.

[@jeffmcintyre2091]

Well explained michael.

[@kenwards3740]

The same could be said for the Maori seats in Parliament,they are philisophical wrong as well

[@tomhoro6468]

Prime example and look at the shit we have to put up with disgusting

[@peacebrother8942]

Actually the Māori seats in parliament were put in place to limit the number of Māori in parliament because at that time there were more Māori in the population than European settlers. The situation with the Councils is different.

[@bobbob3834-j8r]

@@peacebrother8942 its because voting was tied to land ownership and maori collectively owned land. Under MMP and universal suffrage, Maori seats are obsolete.

[@kentstevens5839]

Maori seats in parliament are race-based. You can only vote for these seats if you have certain types of ancestors. Any justification for having racial segregation in this way is past its used by date.

[@lezbefriendshomoyoudont]

@@kentstevens5839 Our whole parliamentary system is race-based, so what is your point?

[@freespeech1859]

You're a legend Michael. Intelligent, articulate and well researched comments. This is what I'd expect from most media people but you stand out because these qualities are severely lacking in our mainstream media!

[@assassin7754]

Thanks Michael, I enjoy your commentary, balanced and reasonable.

[@cherylreid2964]

He is dangerous Laws!

[@J.Smith-rc6wh]

the problem with Maori wards is this: you now have a councillor who is elected to represent ONLY one race, you cannot get around it, you either have equality or you have racism. Therefore there is no good arguement for moari wards, just like we do not have women's wards. No matter your intentions, it all ends badly, because it is fundamentally flawed.

[@MrHart450]

So should rural wards be gone as well?

[@brianmarshall1762]

@@MrHart450not relevant or comparable at all.

[@wokesick]

@@MrHart450 Rural wards are not based on RACE!

[@debbielacey6229]

Dear J. Smith, ❤I agree with YOU on this totally. Thank you for your comment. Take care. With love ❤to you and your family.

[@MrHart450]

@@brianmarshall1762 Why not it allows a group of people to have a councillor who only represent their interest? and is not elected by the majority?

[@olliemoose2020]

Well put Michal the Maori wards are racist by default.

[@Duckz558]

can’t be as bad than what on here dude

[@cherylreid2964]

So is white privilege 😢

[@Thebuilder-v7q]

Maori wards should have been voted on, this is the way democracy works we are not communist state and labour should have given the voters the right to vote on this issue There should not be race based politics in our country, if we are going to have Maori wards then we should have all other races then

[@kevinansley7353]

They were then Ardern s government changed the law to force maori wards on us, from memory 22 councils voters rejected them before the law change.

[@itsjustweard2328]

​@@kevinansley7353 Yep true

[@Duckz558]

so how many councils are there through Aotearoa?

[@Thebuilder-v7q]

@@Duckz558 in New Zealand about 22-24 Councils

[@1112-g1x]

we need a lot more direct democracy

[@DEFENDERNZ]

Bang on. Thanks for putting this out there in such a clear, indisputable way.

[@Brandubh1965]

1 person 1 vote

[@robertmccabe8632]

Ah the vote? Parliament For Against Abstain Corporate For Against Abstain. Parliament and corporate require over 50% of the vote to win. Public voting. For And under fifty percent to "win"; not a true vote and not a mandate.

[@robertmccabe8632]

Ah the vote? Parliament For Against Abstain Corporate For Against Abstain. Parliament and corporate require over 50% of the vote to win. Public voting. For And under fifty percent to "win"; not a true vote and not a mandate.

[@bobzindabottle]

@@Brandubh1965 2 treaties 2 ideals.

[@cherylreid2964]

Where do you live?! MMP is 2 votes per person😮

[@suphraphonic]

@@cherylreid2964 one vote for party ...... other is for local mp

[@annekevandenberg1635]

The never ending New Zealand story...

[@seanodwyer4322]

Victim Support.- Sean O'Dwyer.- number 136- 140 Hobson Street.- Auckland City. 1010.- New Zealand./ / maha aotearoa.'''

[@annekevandenberg1635]

Michael does not need victim support:)

[@Peter_Pepper_Love]

...walking comfortably.. ...🚶‍➡️for now!

[@soulpower3107]

Stop apartheid in NEW ZEALAND.

[@cherylreid2964]

YEAH. Y'ALL WHITE SUPREMACISTS NEED TO STOP 🛑 GIVE MĀORI THEIR RIGHTS FFS😮

[@barrygeary9362]

U are so right Michael

[@nikkiddle4745]

Agree that racism should not dismantle our democracy y.

[@matakitaki1]

Then maybe the colonial overstayers need to tone down their racism.

[@hughheeney3554]

Quite interesting the number of politicians both national and more so local body, who seem to hate democracy, especially the motion of one person one vote.

[@Lachsa-3179]

Maybe Michael, as opossed to not believing they can walk in both worlds, they choose to follow the narrow path, of appealing to that one small group, because it allows them to get their snouts into a trough they would not have access to otherwise.

[@matakitaki1]

Let me say to you that trough is on Māori land taken. Let me also remind you what path do you walk? Do you speak both languages? Do you understand both cultures? Unlike you we have a choice, you just don't like the choice we have made, infact you take that choice away like you always do always have always will. You even deny yourself the choice and enforce it on others...its so ludicrous that I feel sorry for you.

[@lydiascl]

Not only that.. Because they are "elected" by a small part of the wider community, they seem to display insecurities that manifest in violent/obnoxious actions..

[@matakitaki1]

The removal on Māori representation is a violent racist act. Where they stand up to be heard may seem offensive to you based on the theft carried out by such actions of oppression.

[@johnr3150]

@@matakitaki1 boohoo. More nonsense. What’s stopping maori representation?. Nothing.

[@matakitaki1]

@@johnr3150 Whats stopping Māori representation? did you just ask that dumb question where Māori representation is now viewed as racist, do you even comprehend the ridiculousness of your comment.

[@bac5040]

@@matakitaki1 look in the mirror, as yours is the most stupid comment on this thread.

[@KerryTonga]

​@@johnr3150idiotic ball head Racist polititions

[@rattedbug5003]

The platform needs its own tv news channel.

[@paulmeersa7162]

"They are not successful in their own right" BINGO! Why? Because they are focused on themselves rather than what is good for the nation, and, as such, they bring nothing to the table that they demand they sit at the head of... Spot on Michael, spot on!!!

[@tomhoro6468]

Everyone in this county has equal opportunity in everything if they dont get thier arse they will get left behind tough

[@Digmen1]

Actually Michael, Duncan is a maori activist, and I was aamzed that the Platform has him on.

[@MurrayLeckie]

I totally agree .I find him(Garner) unwatchable. Clearly on the left and not really that clever! His ex partner) is a Maori activist (Mihi Forbes )

[@Lachsa-3179]

Maybe he became indoctrinated to the cause when he was married to Joanna Mary Forbes. Aka Mihingarangi - god knows why she prefers that moniker as prefers to be a blonde.

[@J.Smith-rc6wh]

he is a try-hard, thinks his not very well thought though views somehow make him edgey, instead he just sounds ignorant to the facts of why his views are not practical

[@mikeholling8830]

Yes I agree, don’t know why the Platform has him on and I believe he’s never been much of a reporter…but hey that’s just my opinion.

[@helenlizzystewart4908]

exactly he is too biased, surprised you all had him come on the Platform, I refuse to listen to him

[@allanattwood3428]

Councils think that their thoughts and actions are for the people, except they forget they are elected officials in a democracy and fail to engage with the people that actual vote.

[@hildashaw213]

Pera Paniora who is in our district, is useless and seems to have connections in Dargaville and other areas within Kaipara, who have elevated Pera, because she is easily managed by the Maori overlords. But now the people have expressed their disappointment in this Maori ward, and know that Iwi are being paid anyway. So why do we need to have a Maori ward when the Iwi already get paid off?

[@johnr3150]

Yeah they get paid for all sorts of ‘advice’ and consultation on issues and consents etc.

[@KerryTonga]

Totally wrong assessment ole mate

[@jamescrydeman540]

Without equality,which means no distinctions, there is not democracy but people seeking supremacy.

[@matakitaki1]

Said the rich to the poverty

[@jamescrydeman540]

@@matakitaki1 I don’t understand?

[@TrevorCunningham-o1y]

Your thoughts are spot on and you could not have explained them any better,well done.there is no place or money for that matter,to have special Indian,Chinese,Korean and the list goes on around the table.All welcome through the front door though

[@KatharineShaw-z8u]

How does democracy work with Maori wards?

[@hughheeney3554]

It doesn't not at local or national government.

[@bobbob3834-j8r]

use the marxist definition of democracy. 2+2 = 5

[@KatharineShaw-z8u]

@@bobbob3834-j8r Yep, right

[@lezbefriendshomoyoudont]

@@bobbob3834-j8r What is the Marxist definition of democracy?

[@parapente3110]

One of the reasons I left New Zealand. A number of Maori are racist and the number is growing. "Also the number of people that enter the country and do not integrate is an issue. When is this going to be stamped out by the incumbent government..?

[@nedKelly-x3z]

The debacle of Maori wards is another example of a few selective Maori given free jobs at the expense of the rate payers, I bet if Maori wards were non paying positions, there wouldn't be a problem, these districts councils who want them are just pandering to the poor poor Maori, who keeps on complaining about equality, well I say if you are able to work hard, do all right things, you can make a difference, you just have to believe you can, we are all in the same boat, if Maori stop trying to sink it we'll all be fine.

[@matakitaki1]

What a pile of rubbish, you walk this land as if you own it by right. You do not have the authority to inform Māori on any matter.

[@wendyleonard7847]

@@matakitaki1 by that comment you have no rights to vote in the election because you are Maori, dont go to school dont go to work with anyone but maori, dont go to hospital, dont use the supermarkets , dont watch tv you have no rights to use anything non maori

[@matakitaki1]

@@wendyleonard7847 If that be the case then give back Māori land and leave. That is a typical juvenile arrogant assumption to suggest the agreement offered by Māori has now turned to suggest that they have no access to anything developed from their hospitality. Your knowledge of history is lacking and your ignorance shows no empathy for others.

[@matakitaki1]

@@wendyleonard7847 You do realise that Māori had their own Govenenance, schools, medicine and food supplies but then what happened.... oh thats right it was DESTROYED post Treaty

[@bac5040]

@@matakitaki1 hahaha what have you been smoking???🤣🤣🤣

[@johnbrosnan3577]

Well said

[@gjlander100]

Good to hear this. The detailed history below is worth sharing. Had always thought Ms were outcasts... told to paddle off over the horizon and not come back... torquingheads.

[@footwellpodiatry2906]

Here in Northland 15 years ago, Ngati Hine had the same people on multiple different Boards. I am not sure if this has changed, but as one of the largest and wealthiest hapu in Northland, they made sure Ngati Hine got the Lion's share over smaller hapu as Ngati Wai (Winnie's hapu by the way). So representation does not always create equity among an Iwi, let alone benefit the average whanau on the street.

[@MrTubeuser12]

you shouldn't only represent "Maori" you should represent "People"

[@sueedwards9334]

Thank you Michael. Your truthful reporting is why we listen to you.

[@LeonVerhulst]

If 1/5 (as the claim has been) of the population are Maori, that would equate to votes, yet it doesn’t because of what Michael says. The grift is OVER!

[@Cyril_Squirrel]

Also, many Maoris today are of mixed heritage. Maybe someone with one-sixteenth Maori heritage should get one-sixteenth of a vote.

[@lynnebarnes3840]

That entitled young woman needs a dictionary so she can look up the definition of "democracy " basically it's majority rule. Not a difficult concept

[@jeffreywilliams7648]

Not hard really to understand why so many of our people are exiting this country. The racial division inequity victim hood rhetoric every day we are faced with through numerous media outlets. What does this country have to offer anymore? A Nation divided. Will not stand.

[@paulmeersa7162]

Mr. Laws, you are at risk of turning into a fine elder statesman. :)

[@KerryTonga]

Mr laws your diffinitly heading or looking like a honorable arsshole

[@torqingheads]

Quite a history about the Maori - put the Inca's or the Aztecs to shame in degeneration. Outcast from the Cook Islands during the 13th century as weaker primitive Neolithic people by later waves of Polynesians (Maori were from the original wave of primitive Polynesians pushed right out across the Eastern Pacific by successive stronger more advanced groups arriving from the west). They were outcast on rafts and some floated to the North East Coast of NZ driven by the South Equatorial Current and were stranded for 500 years. The weaker were pushed down to the South Island or Chathams etc. So the South Island Maori (had their own language) were the weakest of the weak. They were captured and eaten as 'Slave flesh' by the northern Maori doing raids. (Well they all ate each other - 80% of Maori pre European were dark skinned easily fattened slaves farmed and eaten by a lighter skinned 'Ariki' thin wiry elite royal caste). So it was with some righteousness as well as British cunning that they armed the southern Maori who then with muskets launched a genocidal war on the north.. That plus measles & flu halved the Maori population and removed most of the elite. The British then liberated the slaves and outlawed cannibalism. The northern Maori fought with the British against the south bad west Maori 'rebels'. The Maori sued for peace and a treaty was signed that removed all sovereignty and made them subjects to the English crown where the English would protect them from each other. Land could only be sold to or via the Crown. Maori could live on their reservations with native custom but none did. The treaty of Waitangi is strikingly clear in that the Maori cede sovereignty completely and become citizens of Great Britain - all 3 clauses lock that in. Nothing in today's 'Maori' culture is authentic. The music - all European (Maoris did not have tonal music, the songs are missionary tunes or introduced - Poi dance is from Islands and Stick dance from old Malaya. The carvings and art - all European - Arabesques that was the fashion at the time. Original Maori had limited dash carving and no painting of objects. No written language - all the syntax & grammar plus vowel inflection is European. No technology - some lagoon canoes and wood or stone Neolithic tools. No food sources - like pigs or crops - they left that all behind, all they had was a weak inbred fox (now extinct), some rats and a weak dismal pacific yam. They ate out all the bird-life including 10 species of Moa and 46 other bird species, didn't know how to farm the sea as were island people and so they turned to societal cannibalism. Today - no full blood or half blood left. No genuine tradition and almost all are offspring of Maori slave females sold to white settlers for muskets or food. -So more fake than the 'Sioux' or 'Cherokee' or 'Crow' who had at least retained some genuineness about who they were and their history. -Everything you 'saw or experienced' is fake. A totally convected disneyfied tokenistic set of inventions fueled by a grievance culture of mixed-race imposters fetishing a false past bad history because it pays benefits. 'This Horrid Practice' - Professor Paul Moon, "A Savage Country" Professor Paul Moon 'Behind The Tattooed Face' - Heretaunga Pat Baker, 'Anthropology In The South Seas' - H D Skinner

[@Paul-cp1oi]

and yet it is the modern interpretation of the Treaty that causes so much angst. Principally that it created a partnership between Maori and everyone else and as a result Maori must have a special place in the administration of NZ. The fact that this is undemocratic is of no consequence to radical Maori.

[@lynnebarnes3840]

👏👏👏👏👏 what a synopsis, 👏👏👏👏. That's going to down like a lead balloon. Lol Almost all true. People don't like that. The South Island Maori were pretty much neutralised by British guns in the hands of northern raiding gangs. The brown women in the South only had Scottish, Cornish and Irish type men to team up with as white women were few and far between. There's a lot of Brown Macdonalds, Huntleys, O'Donnells, Stuart-Forbes,Hebberds down here and that's just in my blood line. Thanks for posting. Someone's head is about to explode if they read all of that. Lol😂😂😂😂😂

[@lezbefriendshomoyoudont]

That was hilarious! is that you Martin Doutre?

[@KerryTonga]

Geez that's totally amazing an total BS one of the greatest BS stories yet cheerz that any more BS stories you can dream up Wow!!!@#$%

[@lynnebarnes3840]

@@KerryTonga which part is bullshit?

[@KiwiSkipper]

Yet again .. 100% on the mark Michael

Without earning it, they want easy power and easy money. Much like unelected bureaucrats the world over.

[@matakitaki1]

A bit like who runs the country now. It has taken Māori over 100 years to get the language back and you sit there like a spoilt brat and say we don't want it here. Who has it easy?

@@matakitaki1 Oh no, not at all. Like any other ethnicity, Māori have the full strata of achievement and the full strata of parasites. This country is too small to have a small segment clipping the ticket on every transaction whether that be the Wellington Council, over concerned white middle class progressives or a small group of professional victim Māori. Trickle down never works as can be seen the world over. The best way to improve a people and a country is to give everyone an equal opportunity to achieve. You are correct in that no one has it easy, except those that clip the bureaucratic ticket and they never share. Ask a bunch of farmers or tradies, no matter their ethnicity.

[@barrygeary9362]

@matakitaki1 but u are still alive an Haven't been eaten

[@matakitaki1]

@@barrygeary9362 So are you after Māori feed you when you were hungry. Puha and Pākehā

[@chairmybowl835]

That’s rich……. It was the Kaipara tribes that saved the pakeha that fled in terror during the raid of Kororareka!!!!! Also the same tribes that GIFTED the original 3000 acres of land that would become Auckland city!!! What type of betrayal is this!!!! Ungrateful Pakeha don’t know the History of Hands held out 🤲

[@bobbob3834-j8r]

We need special Bob wards. Bob needs representation. Bob is being systemically oppressed.

[@johnr3150]

Just got an email from the Napier City Council on this issue. The NCC want to keep these wards. I’m looking forward to voting NO.

[@matakitaki1]

No suprise there, remove all those seats different from european laws.

[@StGammon77]

Yeh me too

[@VickiBrowne-yk4co]

What a surprise !

[@KerryTonga]

​@@matakitaki1read THE Treaty of Waitangi its diffinitly not english???

[@matakitaki1]

@@KerryTonga Your point?

[@peterwiles1299]

Is a free ride at the bottom of it all? In any event, show us where apartheid works? (That is, where entitlements are determined by race.)

[@Cyril_Squirrel]

Maoris can and do stand successfully for office in all kinds of areas. Those people don't ask for special treatment because they don't need it.

[@johnshanks251]

Yes they can be voted on like any other person .

[@KenCrawford-n5k]

If you are not voted for you don't get to sit on the council

[@tomhoro6468]

Exactly earn the right if not get lost no one wants bludgers on a council

[@margarettyler58]

You do under NPDC they have an appointed Māori committee who attend meetings.

[@PeterTrot]

It's more worrying how she got there and the thugs not that she is going.

[@AISONGS-u5l]

Let's have some non-Maori things that the Maoris have, like a non-Maori Housing Organisation, and non-Maori Councils, non-Maori Meeting Houses on non-Maori DOC Land, etc etc. And lets have some non Maori place names instead of all the Maori ones.

[@KiwiCat198]

Yes Maori wards and mp seats are racist. And so is the nz herald listing the nz Olympics team and making a point of mentioning the contingent is made up of 17.4percent maori. (Who is the .4?) Why the need to mention maori specifically? Is that a requirement of the treaty? What’s next? A break down of the tribal contribution. Utter disrespect for the New Zealanders who make up the nz team b

[@susanpockett4314]

Perhaps the Maori who want Maori Wards in Local Bodies DON'T WANT roads and sewerage and rubbish collections and safe, on-tap drinking water, Mr Laws. After all, Maori didn't have any of those things in 1840, did they. So PERHAPS they feel that those things -- which are the only things local councils deal with -- don't count as "tikanga" and therefore shouldn't exist. That's the only reason I can see to have Maori wards in local bodies.

[@bobmasefield317]

Maori wards were set up to continue on the maori grievance industry, at ratepayers expense rather than central government.

[@samwise5493]

Kaipara is a bloated council with 3 offices in the district and another office in a neighboring district.

[@selwyndyer8357]

And my thoughts to,well put.

[@Winstonsmithsalias]

As Jordan Peterson discussed, intersectionality can be cut infinitely. So to represent all varieties we would have a council as large as the local voting area. Ending back at the individual with one vote.

[@lezbefriendshomoyoudont]

Peterson - the idiots intellectual. 'So to represent all varieties we would have a council as large as the local voting area' Only two groups signed the treaty, the Crown and Maori. A treaty of partnership in all aspects of governance down to local governance (councils).

[@brentg.cameron6535]

There should never ever be preference given to “one” ethnic group over all others EVER! We are all equal in flesh and everyone has the same rights and privileges as every other citizen, one person, one voice, one vote … Maori wards should never exist ever … every person has the right to stand for a seat and to offer their voice & their vote to ensure council is run for the greater good of “all” citizens living with in that community regards of race, ethnicity or belief

[@5150show]

Ban the cheaty

[@BT-qq5uz]

100%

[@DianeMay-q3g]

Yep if you want to be on the concil..campaign..go through the front door Like everybody else..the Indian got in..didn't he

[@andrewoh1663]

Who'd have thought that the country that so fiercely opposed Apartheid would a few decades later be reinventing it at home.

[@Mark-g6l7i]

What is a Maori ?

[@J.Smith-rc6wh]

Maori is PART-MAORI, last full blooded Maori was born in 1950's according to history class in 1990's

[@soulpower3107]

@@Mark-g6l7i actually the definition is ; something common or regular.

[@StGammon77]

A made up name after Baptism they became 'ordinary' or 'natural' or 'civilised' like Pakeha

[@TrukManTiger]

There is so much Bs around in society which is hilarious so alot of the time I've got to take some time out for myself and disconnect from the world.

[@F.Free-hv3wv]

After reading some of the comments on other KZbin pages concerning the above topic, there appears to be some confusion between a Maori Ward and a Maori Warden, they are not the same and have completely different roles.

[@StGammon77]

We didn't vote for those roles and if we did the whole agenda has changed

[@StGammon77]

Well we don't need them to have roles at all

[@alexandradekanova771]

Thank you, your opinion is the opinion of many.

[@JL-go3]

Multiculturalism is doomed to fail. Individual cultures competing for the resources of a nation. What is required is Multi Ethnic Monoculture, many different ethnicities working together within the monoculture to the benefit of all.

[@lezbefriendshomoyoudont]

What will the monoculture be?

[@robert3987]

Look at multiculturalism in Britain . . . it's a big failure.

[@StGammon77]

We already had that until Waitangi Tribunal debacle wrecked it

[@StGammon77]

Yes they need to stop spending Pakehas money on other ethnic groups where we get none!

[@stevehughes1510]

The separatism with some maori is dramatic isn't it, in other words they're as you say Michael, they want to be treated in a very special way in contrast to ALL other ethnicities in our country. That thinking/stance isn't going to work for our nation going forwards.

[@lindamckenzie6500]

Thank you for your veiw...l am very much inclined to agree with you on this ....as you say if Maori want representation in Local Councils they need to go through the same channels as everyone else...l think they have a bit of a cheek expecting to have their People on board just because they are Maori ....only for Maori...

[@ronshaw1955]

Duncan is a second rate host for the Platform.

[@soulpower3107]

Treaty is for the people. Before parliament was formed. It’s principles in common law Be honourable No foul Take responsibility. It is not a legal document open for plunder. ( money ).

[@gregg7617]

Absolute SHAME of THE WARDS 😛😛😛😡😛😛😛,😛!!!

[@PeteThecurious100]

They are good and correct thoughts. Maori have been financially rewarded directly or indirectly by acting as the spoilt child of the country. It has been expedient pakeha who have caused their victimhood misery which will be corrected sooner or later by the referendum.

[@tindersurprise]

What are they even complaining about, imagine if there was a Chinese ward they would complain till the cows come home

[@greyhamlogan2255]

The maori are not the indigenous people of New Zealand.

[@tjhawe-cm1lg]

Yes maori are the indigenous people of Aotearoa the UN have also said so .your crybabies

[@waronwoke]

​@tjhawe-cm1lg it's "you're" . If Maori EMIGRATED from Polynesia 800 years ago that makes them MIGRANTS. 😂

[@tjhawe-cm1lg]

@waronwoke maori emigrated to Aotearoa over 2000 year's ago

[@KerryTonga]

​@@tjhawe-cm1lgyeeup we are the indigenous ppl of Aotearoa nz

[@veralynwilsonhonetana3096]

F your not Maori den u know think about Aotearoa.

[@Trash-horse]

Just 1 maori's oppinion but, I just want to be treated like everyone else who isn't maori. No special rights. No race based extras. Fair.

[@andrews127]

Thanks for your comment. You are deserving of respect and it's good to know there are fine Maori like yourself who can see through all of this.

[@ChrisBNisbet]

Even the idea that we _must_ have Maori representation, even if not through Maori wards, is anti-democratic, surely.

[@jacklouie8096]

Democraticis everyone not just onlyone

[@NotSoAlarmed]

Good thoughts. Was looking to buy land up that way. Was shocked by the aggro I saw over this. Whoa! Glad I didn't choose to settle up there. Phew. This racially based separatism is ugly stuff.

[@tokoloshi214]

1 law for all.

[@louis44100]

I AGREE WITH YOUR WHOLE ARGUMENT MICHAEL LAWS. IM MAORI 1/8, AND MAJORITY ENGLISH ,AND IRISH AND SCOTTISH MIXTURE. I STRONGLY AGREE WITH WHAT CAME OUT IN THE LAST ELECTION. One rule for all New Zealanders. And to be run by ELECTED MEMBERS OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL PUBLIC BODIES. Graeme Hilton

[@JoJoKaat]

You nailed it Michael. While nothing stops Maori candidates from standing and being elected by the public in a democratic way; that’s not what they want. They want to INLY represent ‘their’ interests, which are unlikely to be the interests of all Maori by the way and certainly not the interests of the majority

[@jacklouie8096]

They are self serving

[@KAHouli-p1x]

I spent the last decades on and off in oz whenever I flew back to nz I found it depressing, by and large the people are miserable small country bottom of world get out asap

[@lezbefriendshomoyoudont]

No-one gives a fck what you think.

[@acegikmoii]

Agree.

[@unclejoe7958]

Candidates opting for the Maori wards are expecting constituents to vote for candidates based on race. ‘Vote for me’ coz I’m a Maori. Pathetic. DEI - Didn’t Earn It.

[@mancrum4059]

Ms Paniora actually elected with 246 votes, but yes correct only 26% of Kaipara Maori roll voted - more Maori (53%) stayed on Kaipara General roll - it is basically double-dipping influence. Paniora doesn't represent anyone except herself & radicals. Would have been 14th of all 19 candidates standing in 2020 Kaipara general wards. Irony is the woke virtue-signalling KDC Council of 2020 who voted for Maori Wards had 2 of Maori heritage on Council (22.2% vs 15.3% of Maori heritage population). Now they only have 1 of 10 (10%) on current Council - so the Maori Ward halved their voice! Paniora spent first 6 months under wings of Dame Naida Glavish attempting to get Mayor to resign - not likely as he was elected with 4,400+ votes. She is demonstrably destructive, obstructive and disruptive at most Council meetings and generally just an obnoxious, rude human.

[@hariseldon3786]

The question remains - "Do we WANT a Māori 'flavour'...?" One can guarantee that it will not be (their word, not mine) EQUITABLE. There is both a history and many 'current issues' with the "Māori" way of managing many organizations... draw your own conclusions as to what will probably happen...

[@mymaster-myboss]

Yes we do need Maori Wards, as we need there input on picking up my trash plus an OK to maintain the water and sewage lines, road and parks maintenance, library cleaning parking meters & fines etc. I don't know how you've done it all these years with out there input.

[@rayh.7757]

their not there

[@alankean3094]

I suspect many Maoris are less than pleased with those "representing" them. I'm reminded of the homosexual annoyed by the bizarre conduct of some very peculiar types in the spotlight, self-appointed to "represent" him.

[@Smitty55888]

JUST TELL THE TRUTH ITS APARTIED PLAIN & SIMPLE.

[@andyox-gr9gy]

Get back into politics please Michael nz first or act

[@helenlizzystewart4908]

whatever

[@Not4Prophet]

Very well constructed words Michael, I mean that. But the comparison of being equally successful in both the Māori and as you detailed the European world is, in my view, an assumption that both are of equal value or are desirable for Maori. For many Māori the idea of success in the European world is in fact failure and the representation of Maori in councils etc isn't entirely about simply having a voice and a view to share in those systems, it's also about effecting the entire system. I am not Māori and I don't consider myself European either, I am mixed ethnicity but I am from here, born here and my ancestors are from here too, form many generations. I am a New Zealander (Kiwi) and I don't value the systems we have because they don't work and I don't see Māori participation in these systems being effective either. We need to have Māori voice and we need to have New Zealanders voice and we need our own unique system for our own nation. We can get there but why all the road blacks and imported leadership ideas all the time, let's work with what we've got. Innovative, rugged, individualised, hard working and willing to get on with things that's what we're about and all the talking about and moving game pieces here and there achieves very little, in fact it sets us back. If you're from somewhere else then be proud of that but also, be where you are now. Aotearoa New Zealand. Home of Maori and New Zealanders as one country.

[@musicians_with_gunts]

*_"You'll get the bash, ow!"_*

[@lynnebarnes3840]

I was the only blond, blue eyed girl at a mostly Maori school. Yup, sounds familiar.

[@helenlizzystewart4908]

yeah basically how the mayor of New Plymouth has been treated, just childishly disgusting

[@Peter_Pepper_Love]

​@@helenlizzystewart4908 whatever

[@lynnebarnes3840]

@@Peter_Pepper_Love you made a fact free statement without context, congrats.

[@Peter_Pepper_Love]

@lynnebarnes3840 Lynne it was Helen who made the same fact free comment without context several other times on this thread. I was merely pointing out the mediocrity of 'whatever' ✌️

[@mxvega1097]

4. People don't have confidence in the representatives on council because they're not very good, don't carry a representative mandate, barely consult, and basically make up their "special view" however they like. How can they represent such a view? Which one? Are all the electors of one mind, like the Borg? Are the views put forward by the representatives actually in the interests of the electors, or is it a bunch of attitudes, instincts and lobbying points? To be fair, this happens on the general roll too - but we've been told that the need for the seats is pressing because there is a particular racially-derived set of views to put forward. If there's not a particular set of views to put forward, why have separate representation?

[@StGammon77]

Well said

[@djpomare]

Co-governance is in the treaty. Brits replaced rangatiratanga (run by local chiefs) into sovereignty (run by UK royals). The treaty house was set on fire but the treaty document still exists showing the details along with its burnt frayed edges. We've tried the colonial system for a hell of a long time and now is the time to give the actual documented deal a fair go.

[@StGammon77]

No, most Treaty Chiefs spoke and understood English by 1840 and they helped frame and found the Treaty, the te reo version was only for the Chiefs who couldn't understand and was affixed to the English Mother Document so it was temporary, signing it meant signing the English one in fact the Chiefs who did help frame it did sign the English one and the te reo one to verify they meant exactly the same thing. Your attempts are completely futile

[@StGammon77]

someone lied to you

[@djpomare]

@@StGammon77 My tipuna Pōmare signed He Whakaputanga 28.10.1835 and Te Tiriti 17.2.1840. Pōmare believed he had not given up any sovereignty and stated that he was not able to in any case, as it belonged to all of his iwi (J.Clendon). He Whakaputanga Article 2: The sovereignty/kingship (Kīngitanga) and the mana from the land of the Confederation of New Zealand are here declared to belong solely to the true leaders (Tino Rangatira). Te Tiriti Article 2: Her Majesty the Queen of England confirms and guarantees to the Chiefs and Tribes of New Zealand and to the respective families and individuals thereof the full exclusive and undisturbed possession of their Lands and Estates Forests Fisheries and other properties which they may collectively or individually possess.

[@tereihenare2878]

we have the human rights act, that's enough. Treaty is unneeded weight.

[@parebennett5151]

why have rural wards then? those wards are pakeha farmers. as for anti-democratic behaviour - we've all seen farmer protests

[@rattedbug5003]

Pakeha is a racist term

[@donpaterson4938]

WHY DO I NOT SEE MY LAST STATEMENT ABOUT CHILD ABUSE

[@gregg7617]

A , analergy , You invite in good faith a friend to your group , And the friend immediately trys to take over the group !?🤔🤨😡 Remember who brings the friend is responsible for that friends wirds and actions mmmmmh !?🤔 Think about that people !?🤔😉👍😎🎱

[@BronwynGillies]

This is a big problem in local body politics and government. This behaviour is actually bullying into their way (Maori) Why can’t they earn their positions the same as everyone else. No they have to bully

[@parebennett5151]

rural wards advance the interests of the ethnic group of farmers who are pakeha

[@emzRotorua123]

Since the service already exists I’m gonna do me. Besides, my town is a perfect example of why the service exists in the first place