Kiri Gillespie: Change is coming, let's embrace it

Matakana Island kaumatua Hauata Palmer with Western Bay mayor Garry Webber (left) and Ōtūmoetai Primary School principal Zara McIndoe during an apology to Judea hapū Ngai Tamarawaho

OPINION

"You can't rewrite history but you can start influencing the future."

Those words spoken by Western Bay of Plenty mayor Garry Webber shortly after returning part of Matakana Island to local Māori last week have stuck with me over the following days. Especially in light of the historic apology on Friday from Ōtūmoetai Primary School to former Māori students who were removed because of their ethnicity.

I had no idea such outrageous actions had taken place. The revelation filled me with shock and sadness. Imagine such measures taking place in today's world? Let's say all children with red hair have to go to their own school rather than be included with the rest of society. There would be an outcry, and justifiably so. What an utterly ridiculous notion. But it's not that different to what took place on our doorstep just 81 years ago.

I'd like to think we've come a long way since.

Seeing the school community step up to right such injustice, when they could have so easily buried their shameful past, filled me with heart. Particularly so because they were able to say "sorry" in person to the last surviving former Māori students Merewhuia Bennett and Heeni Goldsmith.

What a truly momentous two days for local Māori, who have patiently fought with grace and dignity for the wrongs of the past to be made right all these years later. In my view, we are a far stronger, richer community for it.

It hasn't been an easy road.

There was opposition to Western Bay of Plenty District Council's return of Panepane Point - land that was acquired through the Public Works Act and subsequently inherited by the council. Some people may argue that Māori are just looking for a money grab or should "get over it".

I disagree and would find such views offensive.

Unfortunately, the issue of racism still seethes in some pockets of society today but I believe, perhaps naively, it is a viewpoint that is slowly dying out. Such one-eyed thinking is not our future. It serves no purpose. And maybe, just maybe, people are starting to realise it.

I applaud Ōtūmoetai Primary School, and Matakana Island hapū who have long held true to their cause and ancestors' efforts in their journey to reach this point.

Perhaps Western Bay councillor Anne Henry said it best on Thursday when she said: "Change is going to come. Are we going to have the fortitude and resilience to embrace change and work together for the greater good?"

I hope so Anne. I truly do.