KEY POINTS:
A Maori group has lodged a claim for the commercial rights to three varieties of kumara, and demands "the varieties of kumara in Aotearoa be restored to the control of Maori". The claim to the Waitangi Tribunal is one of a number being heard in Wellington this week relating to the Wai 262 Flora and Fauna claim.
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Here is a selection of your views:
Owen McShane
This is a sad tale for all concerned. All Maori are getting the blame for a group of Maori with legal training who can claim huge fees to "prepare" cases for the Waitangi Tribunal which they know will never succeed and always need "more work". Gravy training at its worst. The Maori potato we grow on our property in Northland is called PeriPeri or similar - which is simply Moari for Peru. The old Maori were not silly. If we were to accept this claim we would be going against all international conventions regarding intellectual property. Under international law you cannot patent a natural life form if only because you cannot stop living things from breeding. So if someone claims to own the turnip in my garden how do they stop me continuing to grow more turnips? All anyone can do is own plant variety rights or patents on modified organisms. There must be an invention of some kind. And again international law says only invidivuals can invent. If a company wants to own an invention it must buy the rights off the individual inventor. Who invented the kumera? Certainly someone is inventing some wondrous tales - but they are best protected by copyright.
Jimbo
This is just as good as the Maori police episode in Gisborne a few months back. Its a real shame Billy T James is not still with us - he'd have enough material to keep us in stitches for years.
Paul
I agree with some of the others on this page - lets not lump the Maori together over this issue. NZ does this often, and its unfair. It wasnt the Maori people who collectively cut down the tree on One Tree Hill - it was one stupid fool. It wasnt the French people who collectively bombed the Ranbow Warrior - it was members of their secret service. This issue is no different - a few greedy individuals who happen to be Maori have got together, seen the opportunity to make a quick buck, and will happily use their race as an means to do so.
Tapara
You know it pains me to see such ignorance in this country and of course the media is right up there fueling the fire again. The Kumara has a history and a provenance that is traced, just like a blue print. We Maori, also known as indigenous, also known as "New Zealanders" have these same imprints. It is not for money and gain, but hopefully for the reservation of this delightful vegetable...so that all can enjoy the friuts of 'Nga Atua'(the gods)in the future.Be positive, don't feel disheartened...it makes for a bitter person.
Dennis Ansell
I do, I just bought it from the dairy.
JJ
I feel if the Maori "loved" their kumara so much they would have treasured it and not let it die out - in fact the whole of the North Island from Whangarei up would be a big garden growing these kumera for local consumption and export. That would cover the unemployment. That would have shown us how much they care.
A.S. Harman
The kumara claim is ridiculous but things like that happen when you give a tiny percentage of the population more rights than other citizens. Maybe Europeans should start charging Maori for the use of the wheel, written language, sheep and cattle meats. Maybe Europeans should start charging Maori for their use of European civilization.
Roger
As an overseas business investor, looking to bring manufacturing and jobs into New Zealand, I am concerned about stories like this. Whilst touring the North Island I was told in the far north by Maori carvers, that I wasnt welcome because I was white, and my family had it made clear we were not welcome in that area. As I read about the claims of different groups it is clear that only the south island can really offer the stability a business needs to thrive, or perhaps Australia or back to Europe. You really must get a grip on the Maori versus the rest mentality, and while you're at it, stop pandering to every ethnic group that moans about something. You are unique and can be a great nation, a guiding light and a place of great achievement, or be bogged down by ludicrous little people. I think I will take my business back overseas, but for your childrens sake, stop allowing idiots to rock your boat just because some member of their ancestry was some colour other than white.
Jane
It is just a kumara. yes, they want rights, to just the 3 variety .If they can locate them, give them the rights but ban them from our multi cultural society.. the kumara that is. And perhaps while they are doing that (trying to locate the kumara) they could also try and locate any full blooded Maori, this might help validate some of these idiotic claims that they keep coming up with. Seriously lets all have a laugh and perhaps make some kumara mash and have an enjoyable kai.
Aroha Kai
I believe that the Kumara is part of the heritage and ancestry of the Maori people when they first introduced this vegetable to New Zealand, when the first canoes landed. Because of this they should receive this claim and any other monies outstanding to them in various tribunals and grievances. Kiwi people are very generous people and always shell out money in these situations, why should this be any different to things that have gone on before? The Kumara originated in South America via Polynesia so should the Inca perhaps have rights, or the people before the Inca or the ones before them? Goodness me, this precedent could take the potato off the Irish!
Mike
This does not surprise me one bit. I am sick of these "claims" that are being continuously made by these so called "indigenous Maoris". I am part Maori and have not benefited in the least by these "claims". It only makes me embarrassed of my Maori heritage. How is a country supposed to progress to a future if its government is not prepared to move away from the past. Agreements are made all of the time between parties. Once an agreement is made it becomes a deal. The deal was made. At the time of the deal both parties were happy with the agreement. Before the European arrived Maoris could not agree on anything anyway. There were wars and tyranny between tribes all over this beautiful country of ours. So nothing has changed. Give them an inch and they will take a mile. Peace out to my Ngatifartoomuch tribe.
Dean
I would like to know which country Deb is talking about when she says, "somewhere where all people are equal and try to live together in harmony"? Dont tell me its Australia.? The report states that this is a "Maori Group", believe it or not not all us Maori think the same way. As I am sure not all Pakeha do.
Anne
Oh my giddy aunt! Maoris are really scraping the barrel for ideas in which to make more money, by making this their latest claim! When are they going to realise they dont own anything that is God-given i.e. air, land,water;none of us do! Next they will be asking for payment for the smallest amount of their 'blood' flowing through the veins of all the part Maori citizens of NZ! Get real, grow up and get off the gravy train!
Vaughan Wykes
It has to stop. This has gone beyond ridiculous. We are one nation, one people, it is time to accept and close out all the wounds of the past and focus on the future.I cannot believe the amount of money and energy put into the treaty claims, if this energy and money (and clearly very inventive minds - this latest claim is very inventive) was invested in looking to new opportunities and business development, the whole Country would be in a better place. This would also diffuse what has become a racial thorn - we should all have equal rights in this great land of ours - we certainly all have equal opportunity. I would like to learn who actually benefits form any treaty settlement. It would appear that only a small minority actually gain any benefit and they are usually the ones who least need help! The treaty was written in a different century and the context is completely lost in todays society. It has no place in our modern lives lets get on with it and behave like one nation.
N.B.
From the New Zealand Oxford Paperback Dictionary: Indigenous. adj. (of plants, animals, or inhabitants) native or belonging naturally to a place (as opposed to those coming later); kiwi are indigenous to New Zealand; New Zealands indigenous fauna and flora. -Mine own words- Maori came from another place, therefore they are not indigenous, ie they are introduced.
Paul Jaggar
Who owns the kumara? Everybody, nobody, who cares!! What I do care about,is the greedy faction hiding behind a treaty, claiming everything belongs to them. My message is, get over yourselves and move into the 21st century. Or is that too scary?
Chantelle Parlane
Oh my goodness, really? Surely anything grown in the ground belongs to those who own the ground? How can anybody "own" a type of vegetable?
Bridget
I am a proud and passionate kiwi and am shocked to see such an outpouring of hatred over a vegetable! Some of you are so ignorant you didnt even bother to read the whole story before reacting. And more importantly I am disgusted with the ethics of the herald - you are encouraging racism and division. Is there no other news this week..And as for making a billboard about this story?
Ollie
If it grows on my back lawn, I own it. If it grows on a farm, the farmer owns it. If it grows in the wild, no one owns it.
Whetu
Claiming kumara is a wise move. It makes most of the other claims look slightly less ridiculous. Less ridiculous claims (claims that the public will let through without getting up in arms) are more likely to get paid. Does anyone in their mind question that the treaty in modern times is solely about money? Make some silly claims, the others look far more reasonable. The world is swiftly entering an era when nationalism is starting to look silly. Here in New Zealand we are still dealing with racism. But still, its about money. Remove the chequebook so we can start trying to get over nationalism at least.
Liam
How silly, about as ridiculous as claiming the guitar ... now that gives me an idea .
Tim Peery
No wonder Maori struggle to be taken seriously in NZ and its sad such a small group give an entire race a bad rap. Can they prove beyond reasonable doubt they actually bought kumura to NZ and that it wasnt bought here by a European pre-Cooks expedition? (I want names, dates and documents). My ancestry bought electricity, plumbing, cars etc to NZ - where's my ancestry cut from these particular Maoris?
Adrian Clark
Hi there, why even put such a rubbish story in print? Publishing these Maori radicals demands over how they can scam more money from the working population of NZ just infuriates sane kiwis. The Maoris didnt invent the kumara.Thanks
Barry
Does it really matter who once owned the Kumara? Are there not greater problems to be sorted out in the world today. Lets eat and be merry.
K T
I am a new New Zealander. Most Maori people I know are reasonable and educated. It is a shame that it is the minority in their population who mess it up big time so often. This kumara saga wont change my attitude towards Maori. However, has this country taken civil liberty and human rights to such a silly extreme? Now it may be time I start thinking of claiming patent rights for paper making, gunpowder, printing and compass, and perhpas the old chow mein as well.
Deb
These stupid nonsensical claims by the Maori is the reason I want to leave this country and live somewhere where all people are equal and try to live together in harmony. If the Maori got off their moral high horse and tried to fit in and work with everyone else then we might have a bit more respect for them. As it stands I truly do not wish to be known as a New Zealander purely on the racist attitudes of Maoridom towards anyone with a different skin colour than them.
Chris Brazendale
Ok, claiming the kumara is stupid. But, some of the crap that comes out of peoples mouths when they see an opportunity to stick it to all Maori collectively, on the basis of a small minority's ludicrous claims, as evidenced by some of the responses to this "story" really makes me wonder at the mentality of a lot of the citizens.
Stuart
The group is seeking "the varieties of kumara in Aotearoa be restored to the control of Maori" and full commercial rights to the hutihuti, rekamaroa and taputini varieties - a smaller kumara with white skin and flesh." So, pakeha can claim full commercial rights to everything we brought in? Any amore farmers must get permission to grow vegetables or raise livestock that pakeha introduced to NZ. This is rubbish.
Nickyboy
Its getting petty, Kumara are not even native to NZ for goodness sake. When will the Maori grow up and stop trying to claim everything? Its not yours, Its not mine, Its ours. Leave it that way. I think Iam going to plant some Kumara in my garden tonight.
Bev Hinga-Boswell
Enterprising maybe, a tad late, and very silly.
Doug
Just appears to be another attempt to get money for nothing. The kumara is found in most countries around the world, maybe we just adopt the name from South America or Asia. This way there will be no right for a claim. However it did give me a great laugh when I saw the headline on the Herald billboard in town - it is a joke.
Graham
What next? As an ex-pat Kiwi living in Australia, I am continually amazed with the claims that are thrown up by a small but dangerous group of Maori. I, like many other Kiwis have voted with our feet and removed ourselves from the rubbish that prevails in what was once a great place to live. Ask any ex New Zealander why they moved to Australia and the majority answer is the Maori issues that were continually forced down our throats or via our children through school. It is so refreshing to live in a country that is positive and a country that encourages our children to be winners instead of being dragged down to mediocrity, only to satisfy minority groups.
Dennis
I find it embarrassing that we have a government thats so bent on being politically correct that they can't stand up for itself and "no!" If they give in to this claim, I will forever be ashamed and tell the rest of the world that I am Australian!
Konrad Junkers
The world grows daily into one community while Maori minds close in on kumara. Will they ever want to belong to the world community?
T Edmonds
To all those who clearly did not read the article correctly! I believe the claim was for 3 particular varieties of kumara that may/may not have been lost not the current kumara that are on the market.
This shows how ignorant some one nation or Kiwis are in NZ and quick to jump on the bandwagon of Verbal Bashing Maori rights. As for technology that would eventually have arrived in NZ with or without the invaders of pakeha. Agreed, Maori signed the treaty so whats the problem then......true to form we are now claiming our rights back. Like it or not we are the indigenous people of NZ!!
Kevin
Is it not true that only the introduction of the humble potato by the European infidels saved the so called indigenous population from starvation. Now that the rest of us have learned how to make the Kumara a sustainable crop, they want some money for it. Give them the rights and refuse them anything else to eat - they'll soon mess it up and be starving again. Then we can go and bail them out (yet) again!
Carolyn Dent
When will the Maori realise that they are making themselves a laughing stock every time they come out with such absurd claims. I wish they would stop making themselves look so ludicrous, people will end up just not taking them seriously.
Sarah
Put very simply, this is absolutely ludicrous. I would certainly hope that the NZ government has better things to do with its time than entertain this kind of rubbish. I would also hope that average Joe New Zealanders taxes are not being spent investigating something that so clearly does not reflect common NZ values and inclusivesness. If it is, then the Government needs to cop onto themselves before the next election.
Aaron Primrose
Yet another claim by the indigenous people of New Zealand. Usually claims are regarding money and land, even the Seabed had been mentioned. However, now the minority group now wants rights to a vegetable imported into New Zealand 1000 Years Ago, which originated in Central South America.
http://www.historynz.org/maori.html Just because Maori people cultivated Kumara in New Zealand, does this mean that they should have all rights to it? It originates from South America... not New Zealand. Should European New Zealanders claim all rights to "Kiwi Fruit" because they imported and cultivate the fruit? No, of coarse not. Every New Zealander should have equal rights. Giving Maori people rights to Kumara is absurd, the New Zealand government needs to sort out the Treaty Of Waitangi problem. End the nonsense claims.
Steve
What next? Just another reason why i and may others left the country.
Norman
Important that Maori were recognised as guardians.Are they serious!! What next they will become guardians of the indigenous Snapper in NZ waters! Anybody watch Coastwatch? Unbelievable!!
Beck
Isnt this all getting a little too ridiculous?? Honestly, I have to wonder...what next?
Sick of it
I think we should allow the Maori to become the guardians of all Flora and Fauna in NZ. A simple contract with strong service level obligations should do it, then we can relieve the government and the tax payer of all costs associated with its protection and care. The Maori can control pests, fund breeding programs, manage and fund border security, be tasked with survivability of species of all types and sustainability programs. Shouldnt be too hard, after all they did wonders with the national rugby league team.
Rhys Lewis
Recent results show that Maori men commit 60 per cent of New Zealands domestic violence , and saying that the Maori population only make up 15 per cent of New Zealand. I think Maori party and all the other Maori should concentrate on other major issues within their rights.
Graeme Aitken
Regarding the origin of the kumara, said to be native to the Maori. They most likely originated from Indonesia, as there are many varieties there. It was reported some time back that DNA testing had shown some connection between the Maori and native Indonesians. One could assume that the Kumara was one of a number of vegetables taken/traded between the Indonesian and the western Pacific Islands, and eventually taken by the Maori during their migration from the pacific down to Aotearoa.
Rob
I lived in Manchuria (China) for two years and two bitter winters. Nothing I liked more than buying hot sweet potatoes from street vendors. They looked and tasted like kumera. My Chinese friends didnt believe me when I told them I ate them back home in NZ.
Dan
Yeah, thing is though, how many people are actually claiming the Kumara? I mean, the fact that they are Maori isnt really the issue - I can name a bunch of my fellow white-skinned folk who claim all sorts of silly things as their own. One recently claimed my DVD player. I think the question we should be asking is why the media is running such polarising balderdash.
Tania
Perhaps the question that Maori should be asking is: Is it appropriate to hand over the rights to kumara, back to the people of Hawaiki?
Stephen
I have read with embarrassment the comments posted on your site regarding the claim by Maori regarding the commercialization of the kumara, a plant with which my own family have had generations and generations of involvement with and about which we share many legends and histories. It seems that the comments made are borne out of some deep seated, uninformed (it is NOT a wellknown fact that Maori were not the first inhabitants of NZ, in fact the opposite may well be true AND I take deep offence at the attitude which suggests that neither myself nor my whanau have ever contributed anything to New Zealand), irrational and bigoted fear that some so-called New Zealanders still have about Maori participating equally and fairly in New Zealand society. All I can say is please just get over it.
M Harrison
It would seem the overwhelming response of readers is one of astonishment at the audacity of Maori claiming they basically "invented" the sweet potato. Just because it is a Maori name in this country does not make it native. Ok, lets condemn the stupidity of the claimants, but lets also educate the population in general that potatoes are South American. I wonder if the Aztecs and Mayans will try to claim a royalty from the Maori potato owners...? Now there were some proper indigenous races who knew to quit while they were ahead.
Ian H
What absolute nonsense, the Maori race really know how to let themselves down time & time again. I remember when they tried to stop white folk using certain beaches a couple of summers ago - I come from England and can you possibly imagine the White British stopping all the blacks from using Brighton Beach! Totally out of the question. NZ you should be ashamed, lets just hope this doesnt get international media attention.
Paul
Very hard to take Maori seriously when they make these sort of claims, and I am part Maori.
Alan McPherson
Its about as realistic and meaningful as claiming patent rights to the wheel, or fire.
Sheri
No one can own indigenous flora and fauna - as for being 'guardians' of the kumara (or indeed, any other plant or animal indigenous to NZ) perhaps Maori should remember their previous history of guardianship. They guarded the Moa all the way to the cooking pot and out of the ecology. NZ is the home of all who reside here. It is 200 years too late to renounce the treaty so live with the present and get over the past. And stop this greedy grasping that indicates not a wish to protect and nurture the land, but to fill your wallets.
Zachary
What a load of unadulterated nonsense, so they want to be the guardians of the "kumara"? Well I guess its a lot easier than being guardians of their children, that task seems to be beyond the majority of Maori.
Fran Hume
The Maoris in NZ are continuing to ask for the same rights as pakeha in this country, and they get it, more so in many cases. However, Maori continue to claim everything, and the Europeans and kiwis a like dont appear to have any rights in this country anymore - and the Maori keep everything to themselves. We Kiwis are all expected to share, why are they so greedy. Its getting absolutely ridiculous, to the point where the kiwis are beginning to leave the country because we are all sick of it. Why dont we just sign the entire rain, clouds, sea, air we breath and anything else we have over to them and leave for brighter shores with NO complaining! After all there are moreE Maori in prison than Kiwis arent there! Why should we continue to support the trouble makers.
Bronnie
The Maoris need to learn to share & be part of a country, not try separate themselves from everyone else in NZ. The kumara obviously did not originate in NZ, so it doesnt belong to them.
Anna
I am Maori and I am ashamed of the fact that we have decided to claim a piece of food as our own, I do believe we have some rights and that is not up for dispute, I am all for the flag flying for one day, but claiming the right of the Kumara is going a bit too far, food is food and is meant to be enjoyed by everyone, I love my heritage but this is the one time I have to say I am ashamed of this latest stunt.
Nick
Get over the whole victim mentality, its been 170 years, I mean really, come on grow up and start involving the Maori people in making this a better place for you to live. the government is not your parents and contrary to popular belief they are not here to look after you. Success does not come with handouts and shortcuts... hence the widening gap?
Stanley Kivell
This claim is absolute rubbish. They are simply using the Waitangi Tribunal to lay a commercial claim to a natural food source. Whats next? Mushrooms?Scrap the Waitangi tribunal and let all in NZ have equal rights.
Anna
So now what? The Irish claim back the potato? The Chinese claim back the Kiwifruit (chinese gooseberry)...I dont think so! This is the most ridiculous thing I think I have heard all year.
David Troop
Absolutely ridiculous . Just another scam.
Ben Uffindell
This is absolutely ridiculous. It is yet another step of New Zealand stepping further and further away from individual property rights. It is madness, for a start, that farmers do not have the right to veto Transpower building massive power polls on their own property without their permission, or that Maori are now making a fuss because Transit, the OWNERS of Auckland Harbour Bridge, will not let them fly their independent Maori flag. And now Maori want to claim rights to all these types of Kumara? Regardless of where they are grown, and by whom? Iam appalled. Copyright laws have gone far enough as it is, let alone racially based copyright laws. It is a food - owned by whoever chooses to grow it and sold by whoever chooses to sell it. It is not a racially exclusive food, and nothing in this country should be legally racially exclusive! They had a name for this kind of thing in South Africa:
Apartheid.
Richard James
It is this sort of thing that continues to make me racist toward Maori. It is time they stop putting their hand out and trying to claim things that are a part of nature as belonging to them. It is time the politicians grew up and stopped this crap. If they did not create it, then they, nor anyone else should have any right to claim ownership to them Maori need to grow up and stop playing the victim, and start taking ownership for their actions and lives, instead of continually crying about abuses that happened before they were even born. Get off the gravy train.
Vaughan
This is just another attempt to get some money by some of these crackpots! They even tried to claim the airwaves a few years ago, probably succeeded for all I know! It is time the govt. said enough is enough. They should give them the kumara and then all other claims be thrown out. No more claims and they can stop being victims and get on with their lives like all other NZers!
Jason
Why dont "Maori groups" really focus all of their attention on issues like:
1)Decreasing domestic violence in their community.
2)Increasing the number of Maori in tertiary education
3)Breaking down youth gangs and the high crime rate in their community.
4)Installing confidence in their young from a young age so they have a real "go getter attitude" like other kids in NZ. (As a teacher I have really found Maori youth to lack a lot of confidence.) These are real issues for Maori I believe and I am sure a lot of people would agree.
Alana
Do the Europeans get their rifles and blankets back?
Matt
Most Maori make a positive contribution to New Zealand society, and it is a shame that all Maori will again have the spotlight on them as a small group make yet another effort to get rich without doing any work.It is time that Waitangi claims (and Kumara claims) were brought to a close, and Maoris, Pakehas, and all those that choose to come and live in our country get on with being New Zealanders.
Chris
What next? Unbelieveable.
David Oewn
Re: the claim that the crown failed to preserve certain varieties of kumara , am I to believe that , by becoming signatories to the Treaty , the Maori could just sit back and let the crown preserve their taonga ( in the form of vegetables ). Surely they had the wherewithal to preserve their own stocks ; and that is evidenced by the number of kumara pits that dot the landscape . Why has it taken so long to realise the loss; and , how can the Maori be so sure that the varieties may still exist overseas . I do recall a cultural group returning to NZ some time ago with some recovered from other countries, so what has happened to those , and were they pure?
B. Taylor
How is it possible to own the rights to a spud? Do these idiots ever think of anyone but themselves. Get on with your life and maybe put a bit of thought into real issues.
Felicity
Its one thing they want land and what not, however they should not be allowed to claim foods that is just wrong!
Lisa
Whats next? The air we breathe!
Barbara Adams
What next will be claimed by the Maori? No wonder so many of us New Zealanders have chosen to live in Australia. I am still laughing at this ridiculous claim.
Blair Jellard
This is another reason I left NZ. S* country, being handed over lock, stock and barrel to the first invaders by a pathetic government led by a grovelling PM who buys votes from any and all. Good riddance to it all. Fair well NZ; on with the brain drain.
Chantelle
As a New Zealander I am sick to death of the Maori wanting everything they "claim" is theirs - when is it going to stop! I say give them back everything they say the white man "stole" from them, but take away everything the white man gave to them - electricity, technology, housing, running water, the dole, DPB, casinos, McDonalds, KFC etc.. and then let them live on their land as it was 180 years ago. I bet it wont be long before they are complaining about that too. And seriously, how many real Maoris are there left in New Zealand, they are happy to breed with white man but not accept change. Get over it, your ancestors signed the Treaty so live with it. Oh yeah and we want our Muskets and blankets back too.
Alan Kinvig
One people one nation. If we are going down this road of apartheid perhaps we should be charging Maori for all the technology that Pakeha have provided which Maori have not created but they don't mind driving our cars, drinking our beer, eating our KFC, filling our hospitals and prisons.
Alwin
What a load of bulldust. Why can we not all be New Zealanders in this country of ours. I am sick of this type of political nonsense. It is about time we became a republic, wrote a new constitution, elected people on majority votes. It is a well known fact that the Maori were not the first inhabitants of NZ, but because it is the political flavour to bow to all their demands we have these types of situations.
Charlotte
If the Maori are the only ones allowed to grow these special kumaras then I say and I am sure many others say well the Maori people arent allowed to grow our Potato. They say they want to fit in with the rest of the population then stop making them self stand out so much all the Maori people want is to take take take and not give nothing back they want to be treated as superior people. It is the few Maori people that act like this that make the rest of them look bad when they arent.