Maori Party History Lessons

The Maori Party's new policy on enforced history lessons for migrants (and possibly later for all citizens) disturbs me.

Co-leader Tariana Turia said yesterday it was important all New Zealand citizens shared an understanding of both New Zealand and Pacific culture before taking up residency in the country. She made the comments while unveiling her party's Treaty policy in Christchurch.

A great deal of NZ culture is based on Western culture in general, a culture that is rooted in Catholicism, Greek thought and Roman law. Yet, I somehow doubt that Mrs Turia is thinking to that migrants need to understand this cultural link when referring to NZ and Pacific culture.

But even if the history course was everything I particularly wanted it to be, I would strongly resist the idea of the Government being in charge of teaching it to migrants. The Government always has a vested interest in keeping itself in power, therefore anything it is in charge of teaching will reflect this aim.

I'm sure that is Mrs Turia's aim as well, to entrench Maori in a position of power in NZ from which they cannot be dislodged. The bottom line for a post election deal with National to not abolish the Maori seats spells that out very, very clearly.

Related Link: Teach migrants history - Turia ~ Dominion Post