September 15, 2022
Links between monarchy and colonialism unbreakable for Green Elizabeth
Green MP Elizabeth Kerekere says while she respected the late Queen for a lifetime of service, it was a life of extreme privilege.
She says the monarchy is based on the backs of indigenous people with the Crown still exerting control across Commonwealth countries .
She says as long as a British monarch is head of state in Aotearoa New Zealand, Te Titriti o Waitangi cannot be put completely into place.
“I get there’s the issue around co-governance at that highest level but as long as this is still the Government who is in control of all of those things and they get to choose the level they include iwi, hapu and whanau in their decision making, that is the vestiges of Crown control just will remain in all parts of our life,” Dr Kerekere says.
She says while the Queen was paid millions for her service, Maori who give service often find it’s voluntary on top of their mahi and raising their families.
She acknowledges Queen Elizabeth’s roles as a mother and a grandmother, and the huge loss felt by the British nation and those who mourn across the world.