Corner rounded

is a government that is full of empty rhetoric and no action.

Climate Justice Taranaki

Well, as we have all seen recently, those who have been voted in with a majority can easily lose that majority, so it really is important to listen to those who voted for you rather than take off on a tangent, which is anti-democratic.

The Ma¯ori wards issue is causing great discussion, and people want to know how they would work and why they are necessary.

Quite frankly, the only winners will probably be lawyers, who have made much money out of the gravy train of the Treaty of Waitangi. There was unfairness along the way that needed to be resolved, but there cannot be much more to wring out of the issue.

I amproud of what Labour/NZ First achieved in the North this last term. Nothing had moved for years, and then suddenly wehad the Paihia and Russell wharves revamped, the new Ma¯ori museum and a new footpath down the hill into Paihia, which was much overdue.

The roundabouts at Waipapa, Puketona, Kawakawa and Matthews’ Ave (Kaitaia) are all go thanks in particular to Shane Jones (Northland Age, December 1).

The Northern Advocate of November 30 had an interesting article, ‘Whare to the whenua’, about an initiative helping vulnerable Northlanders get into their own homes in Waitangi. It involves placing cabins on Ma¯ori land. The cabins are $25,000, each and the renter will own the cabin once the cost is paid off.

Guess what - those with Ma¯ori heritage, such as Shane, are high achievers - those who have the right ‘can do’ attitude can move and shake society without having special help. WeknowMa¯ori are go getters because wesee that attitude in sport. At long last it looks like wehave rounded the corner in moving towards a positive future in New Zealand, putting negativity and separatist policies behind us.

Paihia