(Some) Maori are all up in arms over the government's decision to create a marine sanctuary around the Kermadec islands. They allege that their quota fishing rights in the area have been obliterated. The sub-allegation is that once again government has illicitly appropriated what belonged to Maori by virtue of previous Treaty of Waitangi settlements.
Maybe. For our money we always maintain a healthy scepticism towards government claims to land, wealth, and property. The State has form when it comes to acquisitive mendacity. In days now long past our parents were subjected to a government land grab by means of standover tactics, via threatening the compulsory acquisition if the family did not "consent" to sell. The forcibly-acquired land subsequently turned out to be land in excess of crown requirements. The State then sold most of the land acquired at an excessive profit back to the private sector--not those from whom it was extricated in the first place.
But we digress. Regardless of the merits and legality of the State's declaration of a marine sanctuary--which we would be glad to see tested in the Courts--the Maori action is risible. One commentator skewers the Maori position:
A segment within Maoridom have long taken on an Oliver Twistean persona and continues to front up to demand, "More!" Their claims grow more tenuous and shrill with each passing year. As the Veteran puts it:
. . . . But Sir Tipene continues on and right now he is a major player in the High Court action against the Government decision to establish the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary. The essence of the claim is that it ignores the impact the establishment of the zone would have on Iwi fishing interests. . . . (T)he Kermadec Islands are 800-1,000 km north of NZL. Iwi don't fish there ... the seabed around the islands is extremely deep. Almost all of it descends to 1,000 metres and one-third to over 5,000 metres. Put simply, the claim by Te Ohu Kaimoana is an attempt to extort even more money out of the Government (read you and I as taxpayers). [The Veteran, at No Minister]
This challenge, along with the two cases currently before the Waitangi Tribunal arguing against the Government signing of the TPPA and the hugely divisive Maori Veterans Kaupapa Inquiry and, quite frankly, Maoridom is burning off the goodwill that exists by moderate Pakeha towards them in the settlement of legitimate land grievance claims. Enough is enough and New Zealand cannot continue to be held to ransom by a avaricious minority who view the Treaty as an excuse for never ending claims based on a 'cargo cult mentality'.Well said.
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