Scepticism at migrant Treaty test

Manying Ip

A call to introduce Treaty of Waitangi tests for immigrants has drawn scepticism from some of those attending a symposium on the Treaty and Asian communities.

The Auckland Regional Council wants the Government to give it a bigger say in national immigration policy because most migrants live in the region. The call from ARC regional planning chairman Paul Walbran came, coincidentally, as Auckland University yesterday hosted a long-planned Treaty symposium.

Manying Ip, an associate professor at the university's School of Asian Studies, hoped the event would help involve Asian communities more in the Treaty dialogue.

Dr Ip told those attending that Asians had continually been put on the back foot whenever Treaty issues were raised. She said the favourite dictum was, "Asians should be taught the Treaty", although no one specified what aspects of the Treaty should be specially taught to Asians.

"When explaining a document upholding biculturalism in a multicultural reality, a clear message has to be relayed to all non-Maori and non-Pakeha groups: where do they all fit?"

But a test was not the answer, Professor Ip said. "Do you teach people knowledge of the First Nations before you allow them to migrate to Canada? There is this discourse of privilege already, so we must get rid of the idea that some minority groups are more privileged than others.

"A test on Maori issues or tikanga is going to give rise to a lot of bad feelings towards Maori."

Professor Ip said the Asian community should not exclude themselves from Treaty dialogue.

"I feel Asians should not just stand aside and say 'oh, this is just a quote-unquote dispute between Maori and Pakeha'. Because it isn't.

"It is really renegotiating the position of Maori and the Crown. And Maori and the Crown as represented in 1840 is very different from Maori and the Crown in 2005. I hope Asians will take ownership of it, and feel that they are rightful New Zealanders."

Steven Young, of the NZ Chinese Association, said as a matter of principle, ethnic communities supported the Treaty, which gave them the historical, constitutional and legal basis for being here.

"The more we have the opportunity to hear each other's views, the better. The problems arise when members of communities don't understand one another and they don't have a chance to interact."

Mr Young said there might be some merit in Treaty tests, but it had not been well thought through.

"They've really forgotten about consulting, and seeking a range of views."