Sir William 9

Sir William Gallagher’s speech rightly highlights the divisiveness of granting special rights for Ma¯ ori. I’m sure the offended will use the go-to words of outraged and racist to endeavour to shut the discussion down.

Ma¯ ori culture and superstitions are given special recognition and rights in legislation such as the Resource Management Act, Local Bodies Act, the Marine and Coastal Areas Act, etc. No recognition is accorded to Pa¯ keha¯ culture and Judeo-Christian beliefs.

Article 3 of the Treaty of Waitangi grants equality of citizenship but special recognition is not equality. To give the Ma¯ ori world view a status superior to anyone else’s world view is a denial of the democratic principle of democracy as a form of government in which all eligible citizens are able to participate equally.

Equality used to be just that; equality. Treating everyone equally, alike.

These days it is not that at all. Equality now means discrimination disguised as ideals; it means preferential treatment for special interest groups especially Ma¯ ori. Promoters of these ideas are not interested in equality but rather recognition of inequality.

No person should be disadvantaged for having a different skin colour, nor should any person be advantaged for exactly the same reason.

Richard Prince

Tauranga