Peters weighs in on Brits’ Captain Cook ‘regret’
UK diplomat visits Gisborne iwi to pass on message over nine Ma¯ ori deaths
Most of the Government is keeping a distance from the British Government’s statement of regret to Gisborne-based iwi for the role of Captain James Cook’s crew in the death of nine Ma¯ori 250 years ago.
But Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says Ma¯ori should not forget their own track record.
British High Commissioner Laura Clarke made statements of regret on behalf of the British Government in two ceremonies, after months of negotiation, first to Nga¯ ti Oneone, and then to the three Tu¯ranga iwi: Ngai Ta¯manuhiri, Rongowhakaata, and Te Aitanga a Ma¯haki.
It is understood the iwi had initially requested apologies from the Royal Society of London, on whose behalf Cook had travelled to New Zealand in 1769 seeking scientific discoveries.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern referred comment on the issue to Ma¯ ori Crown Relations Minister Kelvin Davis.
He said it was a matter for the Turanga iwi and the British High Commission and it would not be appropriate to comment, although he added that the Government had provided Crown apologies for past action through the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process.
Peters did not want to comment on the British moves.
But he said Ma¯ori should remember their own track record “has not been as pure as the driven snow” in terms of loss of life in bygone eras.
It was time to make the best of contact between Ma¯ori and European, said Peters, who is the New Zealand First leader, Foreign Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and a member of the northern iwi of Ngati Wai.
“If you don’t want the celebrations, then stay home and let people celebrate what they want to celebrate.”
It was for the British to decide what they regard as appropriate.
“All I’m saying is I’ve heard some comment from some Ma¯ ori who don’t seem to realise that their own track record — and being from Nga Puhi I can say this — has not been as pure as the driven snow.”
He also cited the Chatham Islands where, according the deed of settlement recently initialled between the Government and Moriori, about 300,
I’ve heard some comment from some Ma¯ori who don’t seem to realise that their own track record . . . has not been as pure as the driven snow. Winston Peters Deputy Prime Minister
or one-sixth of its population, was killed by two invading Taranaki iwi in 1835 and 1836.
“Let’s accept that it happened, let’s try and celebrate what was good about the connection and the Ma¯ori being both an inquisitive and acquisitive people and realise we have made some giant strides despite all that, so let’s get on with developing our country,” Peters said.
Clarke is staying over in Gisborne and is expected to be given a tour today of significant historic sites.
A direct descendant of Te Maro, who was killed during Cook’s first excursion in Poverty Bay, Nick Tupara of Ngati Oneone, welcomed the move and did not believe an apology was needed yet.
“I think our high commissioner is brave to come and offer that, and that’s enough for now,” he said.
The High Commission issued statement ahead of Clarke’s visit saying: “The British High Commissioner will acknowledge the pain of those first encounters, acknowledge that the pain does not diminish over time, and extend her sympathy to the descendants of those killed.”
Both Cook and botanist Joseph Banks had written in their diaries of their regret at the deaths, the statement said. “It is not how any of us would have wanted those first encounters to have transpired. “
Ikaroa Rawhiti MP Meka Whaitiri will be among the tour guides, belonging as she does to Rongowhakaata as well as Ngati Kahungunu. She said it was a significant day.
“It’s been a hurt and untold reality for descendants of those killed by Cook 250 years ago and he has never taken responsibility or been held accountable for it.
“The statement will enable closure of an unjust act but just as importantly, enable an ongoing relationship [which has started already] between descendants of those who were killed and Cooks descendants and people.”
She said her hope for the future was for a formal relationship between the iwi and the Royal Society in Britain including scholarships, information exchanges, and access to Cook’s journals.
She said it had been hard for iwi to watch the celebrations around Cook’s arrival given the history.
“The Prime Minister’s recent announcement of NZ history in schools will help rebalance our history, warts and all.”