The Kaitaia Airport occupation show a bit of theatre is sometimes needed to draw attention to legitimate grievances, says a reader.
Apropos the "pop-up" or "pop-gun" brothers up in Kaitaia: their "occupation" pales into insignificance when compared with those perpetrated against Maori in the 19th and 20th centuries by the dominant Pakeha regime.
The legal system has always been loaded in favour of those in power - the "haves".
Our
history has generally vindicated those Maori who stood up for their rights and refused to be rolled over by the incumbents. This was true at Parihaka, Bastion Point and the Ureweras.
Maori are all too cognisant of the fact that a bit of "theatre" is often essential to force the controlling regime to confront unpleasant facts. Whina Cooper well understood this. Tama Iti and the Harawiras have not been popular figures but they have at least opened eyes.
Winston is the supreme thespian. Nobody can attract media attention more skilfully.
