So today is Waitangi day - you would think it is our equivalent to the American fourth of July from the hoop-la.
It could have been, still perhaps could be but the way it is it isn't about Nationhood at all.
It is has become about who gets the biggest slice of the pie and about past grievances some real but most imagined conjured up to invoke white liberal guilt in the furtherance of wealth transfer to the Iwi, Maori aristocrats.
Make no mistake about it, the seabed and foreshore thing isn't about the customary right of Maori to gather pipis - its about control of Oil and Gas that may lie under the sea, its about control of New Zealand's fisheries by an unelected, self appointed group claiming, perhaps with some merit, but perhaps not, historical descent from the Maori aristocracy of 150 years ago.
And don't think for a second that if this wealth transfer is successful that it will help either race relations in this country or more importantly the significant Maori underclass because it wont.
Waitangi day hasn't even got a long pedigree as a public holiday, it has only held this status since 1973 when it was officially recognized as such under the name "New Zealand day". It only reverted to its present name in 1976.
It would be great if today really celebrated the birth of a Nation, a new people born from a melting pot of races who celebrate justice and honor and promote the equality of all people regardless of birth.
But it doesn't, its just another opportunity for posturing and maneuvering by those who would rule over us - both Maori and Pakeha.
It could have been, still perhaps could be but the way it is it isn't about Nationhood at all.
It is has become about who gets the biggest slice of the pie and about past grievances some real but most imagined conjured up to invoke white liberal guilt in the furtherance of wealth transfer to the Iwi, Maori aristocrats.
Make no mistake about it, the seabed and foreshore thing isn't about the customary right of Maori to gather pipis - its about control of Oil and Gas that may lie under the sea, its about control of New Zealand's fisheries by an unelected, self appointed group claiming, perhaps with some merit, but perhaps not, historical descent from the Maori aristocracy of 150 years ago.
And don't think for a second that if this wealth transfer is successful that it will help either race relations in this country or more importantly the significant Maori underclass because it wont.
Waitangi day hasn't even got a long pedigree as a public holiday, it has only held this status since 1973 when it was officially recognized as such under the name "New Zealand day". It only reverted to its present name in 1976.
It would be great if today really celebrated the birth of a Nation, a new people born from a melting pot of races who celebrate justice and honor and promote the equality of all people regardless of birth.
But it doesn't, its just another opportunity for posturing and maneuvering by those who would rule over us - both Maori and Pakeha.