January 31, 2024
Tupuna words say Māori not victims
New Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones says Māori shouldn’t think of themselves as victims.
Since returning to parliament in the October election Mr Jones has clashed with the Māori Party co-leaders about the likely effect of Government policies on Māori.
He says their default position is see Māori as victims and casualties rather than as people whose future is in their own hands.
“I’m from the land of Hongi. He was no victim. I’m from the land of Ruatara who brought the faith the New Zealand and had a profound impact on Ngapuhi and actually laid the trajectory for the signing of the treaty. And I’m from the land of Nopera Panakareao where he said the shadow of the treaty (goes) to the Queen but the mana within you, your heart, your mauri, your body, your soul, your spirit forever, and that’s a wake up call for us,” Mr Jones says.
He expects an action-filled Waitangi commemoration, and then on February 7 life will go on.