The arrival of waka in Gisborne on Saturday and the Endeavour replica with another tall ship, the R. Tucker Thompson, today, was a bit of a surprise.
Today’s Endeavour arrival took place without a war dance of the sort that occurred on Saturday when the waka arrived but there were a number of protesters burning flags.
One child stole the limelight in Gisborne today by telling NewsHub: "We support both cultures as much as each other, and we're all in it together."
Was the earlier arrival of waka to reflect the fact that because waka arrived before Captain James Cook, an earlier, separate event would be appropriate?
Were there concerns that Gisborne tribes had become so angry about another Endeavour showing up that safety concerns warranted separate events?
Or, is this a new orthodoxy in which national unity is celebrated with a separate event for Maori?
Protesters have focused on the five Maori killed in Poverty Bay with one killed on October 9, 1769, another killed the next day, and two or three a few days later, according to Cook’s journal.
An editorial that appeared in Stuff newspapers yesterday noted that Cook and botanist Joseph Banks were deeply troubled by the deaths both at a level of their personal consciences and because they breached clear instructions.
In the brouhaha leading to the replica Endeavour’s visit, there was no mention of or apology for the killing and eating of 10 members of the Adventure, sister ship of Cook's ship Resolution, at Queen Charlotte Sound on December 17, 1773. See https://nzhistory.govt.nz/ten-crew-of-cooks-ship-em-adventure-em-killed-and-eaten
Bearing in mind the vehement anti-colonist protest, blogging economist Croaking Cassandra today gave a reminder of the extent to which Maori New Zealanders gained from “colonisation”.
He pointed out that the really prosperous parts of the Pacific are those, like Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand, “where the institutions and cultures of highly-productive economies were imported pretty comprehensively (in the forms of peoples, not just laws) and came to dominate and shape how those countries/territories operate and produce”.
Thank you to all who signed our petition to welcome the visit. We set up the petition to counter another petition to stop the visit, claiming it was racist. They collected 3235 signatures, while we have so far collected 4901. Our petition may be signed at http://chng.it/jKMjXXMwGd
Don’t forget to vote
This is a gentle reminder, should you need it. Your voting papers must now be delivered to your council in time to be counted in this year’s local body elections – closing midday on Saturday.
Your vote is vital. There are many issues affecting ratepayers these days, but the most long-lasting damage to our cities, regions and country will be inevitable if we can’t stop the onslaught against our democracy.
We need mayors, councillors and other elected representatives who recognise that widespread peace and prosperity are most often secured by citizen equality. The provision of a hand-up to those who need help should not depend on their chosen religious, ethnic or group identity. To do so only encourages resentment and corruption within our communities.
Please see https://www.hobsonspledge.nz/2019_vote for more information or contact your local candidates today to ask where they stand on separatism.
Petitions update
We launched another petition which asks Parliament to amend the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 to restore public ownership of the coastal area, put all claims through the High Court, and repeal customary marine title, while affirming customary rights. We have picked up 4807 signatures to date. We need your support. The petition may be signed at http://chng.it/stXwrrtFLY
Meanwhile, our petition to evict protesters at Ihumatao, and for the Government to allow both Te Kawerau a Maki and Fletchers to proceed with their lawful business, has collected 2620 signatures. The petition may be signed at http://chng.it/xPN6P55k
Frequently asked questions
- What is Hobson's Pledge? Hobson’s Pledge supporters think it is absurd to argue in the 21st century that people who chance to have a Maori ancestor, always with other ancestors too of course, should have superior rights to those who don’t. And utterly absurd that there are politicians who want to be taken seriously who still push this nonsense.
- What are the issues we're facing today?
- Who are the people behind Hobson's Pledge Trust?
- What are our campaigns?
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