Beliefs, not race

Re the editorial Sinking fast in a

(July 11), the last paragraph states: ‘‘If it was Shane Reti, that would have solved another of his (Todd Muller’s) problems, the whiteness of his front bench.’’

‘‘Whiteness’’. We’re a democracy in New Zealand. Politics is about policy. We have about eight political parties. They all stand for their beliefs and their policies.

In a democracy a party stands for what it thinks will be good for the nation. All people have the pleasure of choosing the party they think best suits them.

We do not have to say, ‘‘we’ve got this number of Europeans in our party’’. We do not have to say, ‘‘we’ve got this number of Chinese in our party’’, ‘‘we’ve got this number of Indians in our party’’, ‘‘we’ve got this number of Ma¯ ori in our party’’. Politics is about beliefs, not about race.

Deborah Boswell, Waterloo of the Ma¯ ori committee, former Ma¯ ori vice-president, and twice candidate for Te Tai Tonga (under Jim Bolger and Jenny Shipley), I read with interest that Judith Collins may stand candidates in the Ma¯ ori seats.

While it would be a drawing a long bow to think National could win a Ma¯ ori seat, it sends a strong message to Ma¯ ori that their representation is important, and it will open channels for Ma¯ ori to communicate directly with the party.

There are many Ma¯ ori in business and growing, and iwi like Nga¯ i Tahu, Tainui and many others will have a tremendous impact on the economic growth of New Zealand, far more than the average Kiwi realises. Their growth will benefit all New Zealanders, and it should be welcomed by all New Zealanders.

Judith Collins is a smart and experienced politician, she will be aware of this, and she is signalling ‘‘ I recognise the importance of the Ma¯ ori voice I welcome your input, come join us.’’

She shows she will represent all New Zealanders, which is what the Treaty was all about. Ta¯ tou ta¯ tou. I wish her luck.

JC (Cliff) Bedwell, Inglewood