Another Land Grab

The combined iwi of Tauranga Moana (Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui and Ngati Pukenga) march today to signal our total rejection of the governments’ proposed Foreshore and Seabed legislation.

People from all walks of life, musicians, educationalists, doctors, school children, public servants, marae workers, grandmothers etc, most of whom have never taken part in something like this before, began this Hikoi at Gate Pa in Tauranga on April 29 of this year, the 140th anniversary of the battle of Gate Pa which led to the illegal confiscation of Tauranga Maori lands.

In an unprecedented show of solidarity amongst these tribes since that historic battle, tribal members will converge on Parliament today to condemn the actions of all MPs who support the proposed legislation.

In response to Mita Ririnui MP for Waiariki’s public support of the Bill, Brian Dickson CEO of the Ngai Te Rangi Iwi said ‘This is a total betrayal of Tauranga Moana iwi’.

Ngati Pukenga Iwi chairman Rehua Smallman went on further to say that, ‘If he has any integrity he should cross the floor or resign’.

Finally Colin Bidois, Chairman of the Ngati Ranginui Iwi had this to say, ‘The positive actions taken by both Tariana and Nanaia in seeking out and reflecting the views of their constituents are the core qualities of any MP; qualities not evident in the other Maori MP’s. It’s about integrity’.

John Minto: Supercity contracts out democracy to the private sector

The dangers in the ACT/National coalition agreement are becoming clearer by the day.

The agreement goes well past maximising ACT’s 3.5% electoral support. As part of the arrangement ACT Leader Rodney Hide got himself one of the most influential cabinet roles as Minister of Local Government ahead of the development of the so-called Auckland supercity.

Up till now the focus on democracy has been how the councillors will be elected. Firstly ACT vetoed guaranteed Maori representation on the council but supported the proposal for eight councillors to be elected at large alongside just 12 elected from local wards. More>>