Taking back what's given.

In what seems to me to be a serious sign of trouble for the Maori Party, gifts of goodwill given to them by Kaipara and Tamaki Makaurau Maori will be uplifted and removed by those who originally offered them, as a sign of the retraction of confidence in the party because of the position they've taken over the Takutai Moana bill.
Marty Mars blogs on this strange turn of events here.
He quotes:

"A contingent of Kaumatua, Kuia, Pakeke,& Rangatahi from the Kaipara & Tamaki Makaurau will be arriving at Parliament tomorrow between 1-2 with the express purpose of uplifting, retrieving, and returning a 6ft hook (Matau) and anchor (punga) which was gifted to celebrate the Maori Party’s 1st year in parliament, and express support for their mangai MP Hone Harawira. The group has asked that the taonga be placed below the steps of Parliament so that they may ensure the easy return of these taonga."

I hope the television cameras are there to record this event which seems to me striking in its symbolism and a serious turn of fortune for the Maori Party. I'd like to witness that interaction.

Solomon on the beach

Ngai Tahu are putting their waewae down and eye-balling National over the Seabed and Foreshore, Takutai Moana (call it what you will) bill.
This comment by KevinH, lifted from the often redder-than-your-average-necked Kiwiblog, expresses nicely the thoughts of Maori that I've been talking to lately:

"Maori believe that they did not cede the foreshore and seabed to the Crown in the Treaty and have retained continuous ownership of what is part of their estates.

The belief is that the Crown is stealing this asset from Maori, a raupatu or confiscation.

If you examine the Treaty in detail you will find that Maori are correct and the Crown wrong. That is why this government and previous govt’s have not declared this to the nation.

Whatever the outcome of the latest select committee hearings Maori will not back down on pursuing legal ownership of the Foreshore and seabed."

Cadmus teeth - FS&SB

Sowing discord: In Greek mythology Cadmus, the bringer of civilisation, slew the dragon that guarded the sacred spring of the war god, Ares. Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, bade Cadmus sow the dragon's teeth and up sprang the spartoi - an army of ferocious warriors. Painting by Maxfield Parrish

Chris Trotter @ Bowalley Road has, not only this marvelous Maxfield Parrish painting of Cadmus sowing discord, but a very good description of the state of affairs around the Foreshore & Sea Bed issue (re-named Takutai Moana - Marine & Coastal Area Bill).
He also has written, here, a very sobering description of the situation in Canterbury.