I was in New Zealand in 1987. There was an attempt on the part of the
government and the european population to demonstrate that the native
population was valued and respected, that there was a change for the
positive, in treatment and attitudes toward the Maori. Some white
Australians bragged about having "Maori blood" in the same way that people
here talk about being part American Indian. However, the only Maoris evident
to us, were those at museums for foreign visitors. We saw one market place
where Maoris shopped. It was filled with inexpensive, inferior products. New
Zealand is another settler country with a disposable indigenous population.
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Roger Loran
Bailey (Redacted sender "rogerbailey81@xxxxxxx" for DMARC)
Sent: Saturday, September 12, 2015 3:05 PM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Maori defend ancestral land in NZ
http://themilitant.com/2015/7933/793355.html
The Militant (logo)
Vol. 79/No. 33 September 21, 2015
Maori defend ancestral land in NZ
BY JANET ROTH
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - "This is our birthright, our whenua [land],"
Waimarie McFarland of the group Save Our Unique Landscape told the Auckland
Council Aug. 27. More than 150 Maori residents of Ihumatao village and
supporters came to the meeting to call for a halt to a housing development
on ancestral land near Auckland Airport.
The disputed land is situated between the Otuataua Stonefields Historic
Reserve and Ihumatao, a Maori village of 80 households gathered around their
meeting place, the Makaurau Marae.
It was confiscated by the government in 1863 and became a privately owned
farm. The whole area, which includes ancestral burial caves, is significant
because Maori have lived there continuously for over 1,000 years.
The government has designated the land as a Special Housing Area, which
allows for fast-track construction. Fletcher Residential purchased the land
in 2014 and plans to build 480 houses.
Save Our Unique Landscape representatives called on the council to withdraw
its support for this designation, presenting a 4,000-signature petition.
Te Warena Taua, chair of the Maori Trust that oversees Makaurau Marae, said
Maori had long fought to preserve land and water rights at Ihumatao, but
concluded, "We are unable to get the SHA overturned." He said Fletcher
Residential had agreed to return a portion of the land, and that Maori would
be able to buy some of the new houses.
McFarland responded that most people in this working-class area could not
afford them. "Lots of us in Ihumatao don't own our homes but rent,"
she said.
Save Our Unique Landscape proposes an alternative block that could be
developed. This would require the agreement of both the municipal council
and the New Zealand government.
The council voted 12-5 against revoking support for the Special Housing
Area. "The fight will continue," declared Pania Newton of the Unique
Landscape group, as she led supporters out to the waiting buses back to
Ihumatao.
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