Letter to the Editor - Tuesday September 4, 2012

Equal opportunities

Dear Mr Harawira and Dr O'Sullivan. I would like to start by congratulating you on your efforts to support the community and preserve the Maori culture. But why are you both so set on separatising this country? Maori are given the same opportunities as every other New Zealander.

I have never seen a job advertisement that says "Maori need not apply" or a school which only enrols white people. Even Maori with poor upbringing have the same opportunities. The problem is the state of mind. You don't have to attend a rich school to meet university entry requirements. You just have to work hard.

You both write letters to the editor or have your own sections where you harp on about poor Maori. You have instilled the idea that Maori are owed everything as it was theirs to start with and the white folk took it off them. Therefore everyone with a "brown face" should be entitled to more.

If a Maori person worked hard to earn their keep there would be no need for special Maori seats on councils or in Parliament. This is a multi-cultural country. It is not just Maori vs Pakeha. Nearly every culture around the world has a place in our country. Where do they stand in your take from the rich, give to the Maori ideal?

Is there opportunity for Maori to buy shares in the partial asset sales? Or is that strictly for the white folks? Why do you always resort to waving flags and protesting before weighing up all the options?

Work for your opportunities when they arise rather than sitting back with your hands out.

To Dr O'Sullivan, well done on your ambitions to help those who need it most. But enough with this "brown face" nonsense. The law does not see a car full of brown people and pull them over. A judge does not see a brown face and go easy on them. What is the message you are trying to get across here? You do the crime you do the time. Be thankful you live in New Zealand, where sentences are ridiculously light. If a poor white person came into your practice and couldn't afford to pay, would you let that go? Or do you have to have a brown face for your generosity?

I have Maori blood, my skin is white. My children have even stronger Maori blood, as their father is Maori. Their skin is white. Did your parents never teach you not to read a book by its cover? Is it enough to be Maori, or do you have to be brown?

As long as this letter is, I have not even touched on the absolute ridiculousness of the Ngati Kahu Waitangi claims or the Auckland city council's "Maori plan".

Both of you need to stop playing the race card. It is people of your mindset who keep racism alive. Maori are given the same opportunities as everyone else in this country. What they lack is guidance. Young Maori need proud Maori leaders to guide them into success. Instead of teaching them how to wave a flag and walk the length of the North Island, teach them how to work hard for their kids and their futures. Teach them how to have real mana.

Maori is a proud and beautiful culture, and in my view you two are tainting it with all this stomping of the feet.

WHITE MAORI

Kaitaia