Bill English in secret talks with Iwi over buying New Zealand's assets?
Haven't read anything about that in the Southland Times but the Member for Eketahuna North has picked up on Bill's manoeuvres and says:
"Why has Bill English been so bloody quiet about counselling the iwi on the economic opportunities open to them if they buy (or partly buy) these state assets?
If he was doing good things for the country, he would want the country to know about it, especially in an election year.
Whenever Ministers don’t want the country to know what they are up to, chances are you will find they have been up to something that will bruise their electoral support"
Read the full post here.
Friday, August 19, 2011
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7 comments:
Back in January the NZ Herald reported that Waikato-Tainui has rights of first refusal over the 1448MW Huntly Power Station because of its Treaty settlement legislation.
It looks Kaukapakapa as though there might be more than just those two iwi in talks. Ngai Tahu for Mataura's lignite?
Robert,
Stop and think about just how cunning that would be:
The simpletons of NZ politic left have long adopted a position that everything Maori = good
Scenario: National 'sell' natural resources and power generation shares to Iwi. Iwi develop and exploit resources for profit for the wellbeing of the tribe - think lignite urea and diesel conversion plants in Southland.
Left (and Greens) rise up in indignation to stop the supposed despoiling of Southland only to find themselves protesting against the Maori part owners (=good remember). Maori part owners can play all sorts of tricks to send that one off - colonial oppression, whiteys trying to stop us getting ahead etc.
The irony of it all would be delicious - and the plants would be built and operate. One can only imagine that with Iwi support (noble savages, guardians of the earth = good remember) that there would be no trouble getting the necessary consents.
Perhaps the partnership that National has forged with the Maori Party goes a bit deeper than you had thought Robert. Might be time to rethink your tactics before it is too late.
History teaches us never to underestimate those who we oppose.
Have fun with it all, and enjoy the economic boom, construction and new jobs that the major new plants built to exploit the Mataura lignite bring. Might even help pay for your retirement.
Cheers
Ross
Ross, I 'stopped and thought' about this scenario long ago and have not been surprised by these and other manouverings (thinking about aquaculture here, and dairying and ...etc.)
You blithely assign the 'noble savage' meme to me without basis - just taking an ideological stab in the dark i suppose, not very considered of you, given the way you like to present yourself as an informed, considerate kinda guy!
Cunning plans of these sorts are grist to Bill's mill and this one hasn't spontaneously erupted. I'm sure you are aware that the Maori party is regarded as an highly visible example of conservative, elite, business orientated Maori aspiration and as such not representative of any great section of maori society? Their difficulties with their own flax-root supporters and one of their MPs (ex) is indication that there are the same partitioning in 'maoridom' as there is elsewhere.
I wonder if you have experience with working with a particular iwi. I have and got the cjhance to look around from inside of the wharerau a bit and talk with people at all points of the compass. I base my views on those experiences rather than in the policies of a particular political party.
Your comments seem glib and in substantial. I guess you intend to provoke a response and good for you - it's what I like to do too! I wonder if you got what you wanted (and I wonder if iwi will)
A question of clarification for you:
When you say,
"The simpletons of NZ politic left have long adopted a position that everything Maori = good"
Do you mean to imply that the NZ politic left consists entirely of simpletons, or that there are simpletons amongst that group?
If the former, then you are revelling a great weakness in your understanding, if the latter, your communication skills aren't looking too flash. somewhat.
somewhat is somewhat redundant and there are a few errors of spelling etc. in my comment.
az u c
Robert, Just winding you up really - you have responded beautifully. I have worked with Iwi and have substantial respect for the progress they are making and the integrity they bring to their decision making.
The 'noble savage' meme was aimed at Maori/Iwi as treated by 'progressives/left' in law and assumptions.
It was not aimed at you personally. I have no knowledge of whether you are part Maori or not. I would not make a personal attack on someone on that basis, as it would be racist and despicable.
I did not agree with the course that Don Brash took in his 'infamous' Orewa Rotary speech. It was divisive, and hurtful, and put at risk much good work in repairing relations between the various communities in NZ.
The scenario that is going to be interesting going forward is when Maori self-interest and greed intersects with Iwi guardianship roles. I have no doubt that various Iwi will ultimately sort it out over time, but I am sure it will be a painful process for them - probably just as painful as in the mid 1800's when some tribal members sold land, and others didn't want it to happen.
Ross
Ross - you say,
"
The scenario that is going to be interesting going forward is when Maori self-interest and greed intersects with Iwi guardianship roles. I have no doubt that various Iwi will ultimately sort it out over time, but I am sure it will be a painful process for them - probably just as painful as in the mid 1800's when some tribal members sold land, and others didn't want it to happen."
and I find myself very much in agreement except tht I don't believe it's a 'going forward' issue, rather it's happening now and has been for some time, though you do mention 'land sales'. Kelp harvesting is one example that springs to mind. You may know about the SILNA forests in Western Southland. He raruraru tino nui tera.
As to being 'part Maori or not' ehara ahau it te tangata whenua o nga motu nei otira ka mahi tonu au i te tautoko o taua tangata ki te maru o te whenua te ngahere te awa me te moana hoki.
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