
Kia ora. This is the first of a series of blogs which will appear each Monday on the site. The aim is to provide a perspective on current news and events, trends or spirals.... and probably add to the cacophony of crap that is already out there!
Let's kick it off with an amazing fact that I learned from the recent publication Nga Puhi Speaks. Did you know that Nga Puhi chiefs declared war on Germany even before the New Zealand government did? It was another clear exercise of their tino rangatiratanga (chiefly authority) and consistent with their understanding of the nature of their relationship with the Crown under the Treaty of Waitangi. Nga Puhi did not cede sovereignty. The Treaty was simply an affirmation that a relationship between sovereign peoples would continue for the benefit of them both. These issues are being debated right now as part of the inquiry by the Waitangi Tribunal into the Northland historical claims (Te Paparahi o te Raki Inquiry). An independent review panel has already found in favour of the Nga Puhi position concerning "Te Whakaputunga". Now Nga Puhi is awaiting the Tribunal's report into this huge constitutional issue. Watch this space.
By the way, you can get copies of Nga Puhi Speaks from reotahi@clear.net.nz
Let's kick it off with an amazing fact that I learned from the recent publication Nga Puhi Speaks. Did you know that Nga Puhi chiefs declared war on Germany even before the New Zealand government did? It was another clear exercise of their tino rangatiratanga (chiefly authority) and consistent with their understanding of the nature of their relationship with the Crown under the Treaty of Waitangi. Nga Puhi did not cede sovereignty. The Treaty was simply an affirmation that a relationship between sovereign peoples would continue for the benefit of them both. These issues are being debated right now as part of the inquiry by the Waitangi Tribunal into the Northland historical claims (Te Paparahi o te Raki Inquiry). An independent review panel has already found in favour of the Nga Puhi position concerning "Te Whakaputunga". Now Nga Puhi is awaiting the Tribunal's report into this huge constitutional issue. Watch this space.
By the way, you can get copies of Nga Puhi Speaks from reotahi@clear.net.nz