NZ Centre for Political Research

Congratulations to Muriel Newman, for all her efforts in aiding and abetting a truly democratic forum!

This week's poll asks:

Should Maori have special privileges in law?

*All the billions of dollars awarded in settlements to Maori has done nothing to change their over-representation in prison numbers, poverty, child abuse and poor health. Where has the money gone? Jane

*Definitely NOT they get too many priviledges now. Geoff

*We are talking about a group of people claiming extra benefits based on watered down blood. In fact many have more blood of other races than Maori. We should all be equal. Kim

*NO No No...and that creepy Harawira (aka John Hatfield) stated on TV that only the Maori version of the Treaty should be recognised per instructions from the United Nations. Go figure.... Graeme

*It's an excuse for their laziness and "victim" mentality. Patricia

*We are all New Zealanders, one race one rule! Dot

*None of us should have exclusivity in law. The problem has historically been that minority parties have held the balance of power in the government and have forced laws to be made that favour the minority interest as opposed to the will of the majority. Nick

*Peter Sharples (father is English), Tariana Turia (father is Americam), Hone Harawira (aka John Hadfield). Did someone say the Treaty is a fraud? John (Hone)

*Time to STOP the nonsense before maori driven racism splits the nation. Murray

*We are equal under the law, yet called rascists if we dare to decry such an obvious gravy train & rort.
That National have continued & expanded such a gravy train, obviously to buy votes, is shameful. They will not get our vote at the upcoming election. Dave

*Especially as we have to provide the funds, in an endless manner, when it should be used for the good of all the country. Jane

*Special privileges only hinder the Maori people further. Matthew

*No No No ...what don't they understand or refuse to understand the word 'No'...all NZ should be equal under the laws of the land with no particular person being granted special privileges...here we have another little Maori baby dying a few days ago..they worry more about getting shrunken heads back into NZ than they care about the deaths of all these babies/children...they wrongly beloieve they have some special rights ...but that is the fault of us all in making them feel like that...after all don't we honour the Haka...a terrible form of aggression that should have been done away with ages ago let alone being the start of a rugby game...no there should be no place in NZ for a group that is considered privileged. Audrey

*I am a born and bred New Zealander living in Canada, and after reading your articles I now know why! Crazy what the NZ govt is doing! Sonya

*I am a 6th generation NZer with 8th generation g/children. I dont get any special privileges why should a Maori who hasnt been here a lot longer get any. Lynn

*No special treatments at all, just like the rest of NZers. Alec

*Maori Claims and Nationals pandering have reached a rediculous situation and thank goodness Don Brash might arrest the situation. Donald

*Special privilege. Never not in a democracy. What is so wonderful about Maori? A people who could not even invent a wheel. We are one people and Maori should be grateful for Europeans taking them out of the early Stone Age. Hone excepted. Brian

*I have maori family, although I am European. (well some Maori in 1838). My extended family think there should be no Maori Seats! Kevin

*The time is definitely to 'do' no more for the tribal racists. Ever since the 1975 Land-march of Whina Cooper, the Maori culture rort of NZ has been an ummitigated disaster for the nation esp. for part-Maori driving them forever backwards.
Now there will be a seismic shift here against this racist rort as in the Canadian elections. Monica

*To answer this. Maori already have special privileges. Now they want more. Don

*We campaigned against apartheid. There will be no peace without one law for all. Peter

*It's damm obvious where the racism is coming from. Colin

*We consider that NZ is rapidly heading to a state of apartied. Brian

*Does anyone else? No. Then they should not. It is simple fairness and racial equality under the law. Laura

*We are equal I am a full blooded New Zealand and I don't get privledges and neither do my children who are? We are pakeha. I believe some times in history Maori weren't always treated well but that was history and I have studied the treaty and maori/whanau papers to be able to have an honet view point. I have best friends that are Maori. But we are all equal. Bergen

*Maori are equally treasured human beings like everyone else in this multi racial society. Andrea

*Maori have no right to any special privaleges under the treaty. This nonsense MUST STOP NOW. Keith

*We do need to make sure that all New Zealanders have hope, opportunities and feel that they have a place in society. The rich are getting richer - and that includes Maori while the poor get poorer. Values need to be relooked at - for example why an IT employee more highly paid and valued more than a skilled tradesman or craftsman. Sara

*We should be all New Zealanders under one law. After all most Maori if not all are decendents of the United Kingdom or Europe. Phil

*Absolutely not. When will we get a major political party with the balls to put a stop to race based policy and a stop to the Waitangi gravy train. Nigel

*How "clever" was John Key's decision to seek support from the Maori Party when he had the necessary mandate to run the country. I wonder if any National MP's have costed that decision (or even considered it), and the potential cost in the next 5 years. No wonder we're in a bad way economically if that's the sort of pragmatism we get from the National party. Ivan

*We should have one law for all and equal rights for all people, no matter their race or creed. Peter

Politicians are now spouting 'One law for all' I don't think this quite covers it, to my way of thinking law and privilege are two different things, maybe we should be saying "One law and the same privilege for all. Geoff

This week's poll asks:

Should Maori have special privileges in law?

Please don't forget that you can read the rest of the debates on this lively forum by clicking on the GENERAL DEBATE title above.

*In a democracy all should be equal - in all aspects of life. Laurie

*Absolutely not. We are all born into this world equal. The choices you make and the attitudes that are placed upon you lead you in lifes direction. The mapris of this country are in exactly the place they have chosen to be in. I am sick of hearing how disadvantaged they have been. I think Don had it about right in saying that the social welfare system is the maoris worst enemy. Neil

*The idea is ridiculous and unworthy of comment. Rona

*We should all come under the same banner. Give me one convincing reason why we shouldn't? Simon

*People whisper in corners-it's amazing how many people are more than uneasy about the current situation but are afraid to speak out openly for fear of being labelled racist. More than time for robust debate on the whole gravy train of racist legislation. Roger

*My family and I have had a gutsful of the race based society we populate thanks to the work of ignorant, arrogant, power driven politians with a penchant for apartheid. Dave

*I stopped voting Labour when this "Treaty" garbage was started and will never vote Labour again. Henry

*Certainly not. We are all equal New Zealanders, with all the same privileges. Karen

*No, and the country cannot afford all their current special privileges. John Key has failed us dismally. Time for Don Brash. Carole

*I have huge problems with the word 'special'. Surely all cultures have special privileges in an open democracy. I suspect Willie was right up to a point...the Treaty for example enabled maori to continue to operate their special form of land tenure...property held in common with a specified iwi or hapu.
Our democracy shouldn't be a case of "one size fits all"? Shouldn't we be encouraging the maximun degree of diversity allowing Scots to celebrate their particular culture? Jews? Chinese? Etc..
But of course everyone took 'special' to mean "preferential" and Willie backed that up with his stupid reference to Maori receiving only peanuts.
Yes we are all somewhat justifiably irritated by Maori constantly harping on about their poor educational/prison/health performance but in any debate so potentially divisive we should keep calmer and use our language with greater precision. Ross

*I cannot blame the Maori; it is this government that weak and indecisive. Bob

*This Treaty gravy train has gone on too long and should stop now. Josie

*I do think we should give them the land back, though. But only if they can produce the blankets and muskets that were traded for it, in the first place. Suitably adjusted to reflect todays land-values, of course...Dave

*Enough is enough. If Maori want compensation for their lost 'treasures' should not non-Maori also receive compensation from Maori for all the benefits and inventions brought to NZ and from which Maori benefit greatly. Gary

*Maori have had far too much already. It's time the government stopped bowing down to maori. New Zealand belongs too all New Zealand citizens . Ray

*The Toi moko debate is another example of rewritten maori history, back in the early days it was OK to cut off an enemies head and display it or swap it for a gun or two to knock off a few more, now they are all loved anscestors requiring tax payer funded, business class junkets to bring them back. John

*Its about time, as a race, that the Maoris grew up and stood on their own two feet with pride and self independance like the rest of us in Aotearoa. Clare

*If John Key thinks so, let him say it, and then see how he fares in the election. Rob

*Absolutely not. What do they do with all their money from the treaty claims.......it is certainly not used to protect their children from the appalling abuse. Marie

*It is time it is recognised that NZ is now a multicultural society. Peter

*No. I as a New Zealander am frustrated at these double standards. Daniel

*Oddly enough I think they do - all those who are TRULY MAORI!!
Not those who have European etc ancestry as well. So in a word - NONE of these who claim to be Maori but are only of Maori descent plus other combinations of descent.
Why are these activists pushing so hard? Obviously it's the money and a chance at power they don't deserve. You need to earn it! And in spite of what these activists try to hoodwink us, they are not indigenous - how can they be? None of them are full-blood Maori. Which part of them just might convince us they are coming close to being slightly indigenous? What about the other part? The “Pakeha” part? Rod

*If we live in New Zealand then we are all New Zealanders no matter where we come from. Sandy

*Please disregard previous yes vote. I twitched at the wrong time. Andy

*All New Zealanders should have the same privileges in all things. Noreen

*It is time to stop this gravy train.We've all got to take responsibility for our lives. Peter

*Perhaps a special focus on health is appropriate but this also should apply to high need pakeha. Keith

*Enough is enough, It seems europeans have forgotten our own ancestors cultures. Customary fishing title! Every nation in the world lives near water for survival, why can Maori claim special privilage and take undersize and above all others limit. We all need to feed our families. Vernon

*Definitely not. This country is heading down a very racist path enough is enough. Put the Treaty on the wall and treat it as a historic document only. Alan

*No. Until we have one rule for all and an end to the grievance industry we never proceed forward as a democratic Nation (In all senses). Robin

*It would be interesting to learn how much of the billions of dollars received in settlements has "trickled down" to address the grassroot problems of the various tribes. Kay

*The "law" is being abused nand miss-used to rort all NZ taxpayers to profit litigious claimants. Rex

*I have had enough of the Maori and it is time the non maori New zealanders were treated as equal. Brian

*Te Tiriti clearly outlines the partnership as envisioned by Te Tiriti partners in 1840. Kawanatanga was given whilst Rangatiratanga was held by the majority of the time, namely Maaori. The key word here is partnership, since the treaty when have Maaori ever been treated as a partner. Consultation with Iwi is a joke, with leading Paakehaa corporations holding the entrenched view that consultation with Iwi means TELLING Iwi what they (the corporations) are going to do. This clearly goes against the original view of what was meant by Article 2 of Te Tiriti. Tipene

This week's poll asks:

Should Maori have special privileges in law?

Please don't forget that you can read the rest of the debates on this lively forum by clicking on the GENERAL DEBATE title above.

*No person or group should be entitled to enjoy special privileges. We are supposed to be a democracy with equal rights for all. There are no Maori left - only people of part Maori blood. The sooner this sham is finished the sooner New Zealand can progress as a Nation. Trevor

*All NZ citizens are equal and so they should be. Les

*Absolutely No. We third generation NZ'RS ARE SICK OF BEING UNEQUAL. Neville

*Apartheid was wrong and a disaster in South Africa. It is wrong in New Zealand. The principle of the Treaty is plain: "One law for all." If NZ continues down its current path it will eventually degenerate into tribalism which is the curse of Africa and used to be the curse of the Maori people. The concept of one law for all is foundational for a free and just society. Duncan

*No way! They are already, in this poisonously politically-correct climate, indulged and cultivated by the touchy-feely humanist parties in power and their claques of adherents, while the Maori are increasingly noted for bashing infants to death, drunken and drugged lifestyles, robbery and rape. This deplorable image however is not that wanted by the majority of Maori, and not by the kaumatua, who are as concerned as anyone could be to see that the culture is repaired. But entrenching by statute special privileges is not the way to do it, and would lead to only apartheid and unrepairable social and racial divisions. One law for all: For white, for brown, for black. All ethnicities at their usual best understand this. Those few persons who separatist privilege are a serious danger to the peace of the nation. Leo

*They are getting greedier and more cunning because they have the mix of european brains, they owe us big time for all our technology and should be billed for it. Marian

*This country cannot prosper nor move ahead as a divided nation. Ian

*Thank you for the reasoned, fair and historically accurate article. I have been of this opinion for 20 years. Assistance should be needs-based, not race-based. Gina

*I am a European New Zealander, born here. I pay my taxes, and watch our goverments giving Maori lands, rights and privileges that we dont get. Where is our share of the money? If the British didnt land first is may have been the French. And they werent known to write treaties, rather to kill off. Mikel

*While overseas, as I am at present, I see Maori as fellow Kiwis and it's great to see them. Of course these are usually Maori Kiwis who are making it for themselves in the world and travelling to get the tradiational OE. When in NZ, despite this being not true, I tend to feel defensive in the presence of Maori. The Radical element is very pervasive and especially in small towns where I feel positively unsafe these days. This is a RECENT phenomenom and very sad. Beverley

*In a fair and just society all citizens have equal rights and equal obligations. To give Maori special rights is wrong. For Maori to ascertain that they deserve special rights while at the same time denigating the society that they demand these rights from is both hypocritical and unjust. Cathy

*NZ does not need an aristocracy. People owning $37 billion of assets purely because of their birth, not because they helped produce anything, is simply unjust. The whole justification for Maori privilege seems to be "first in, first served", which is hardly one of the great moral principles. Elizabeth

*We cannot afford Maori now or ever. Kenneth

*The law of the nation is meant to be the law by which we all live, regardless of race. It is time this nonsense stopped - why should there be a privileged minority. Dorothy

*There should be one Law for all New Zealanders which ensures everybody has the same rights and privileges. The continuing excessive and unjust claims by Maori are costing the country dearly and causing bitter division. Peter

*The Maori activists have fleeced the taxpayers. It is time to call a halt and we should even demand they pay something back. Frank

*How can they ever get ahead if they are denied the belief that all people are equal. Dorothy

*Very defiantly NO.
This nonsense has gone way too far.
With the notion that one can be Maori if one feels Maori a haven has been created for bludging pseudo Maori.
The bull shit practice of starting every occasion with a waiata and born again Maori highjacking such occasions must cease. As a secular state there should be no mumbo jumbo.
I do not force my atheism on you please do force your religion on me.
The only way to learn a language is over the breakfast table, the same is true for preserving a language. Maori was never a single language but a collection of dialects. Michael

*Definately not. They have degenerated in my lifetime from being good people to a sizable group of maori being no better than a bunch of bludgers. Pat

*One law for all means just that Stuff the lot of them. Graham

*I left NZ because of this ongoing Maori B/S Helen Clark did the Damage and Don Brash was nearly able to take s stand. He lost that election because Clark bought in actor Sam Neil to say Brash could not run a country. Will never return. Stuart

*I am uterly sick of hearing the word maori constantly forced fed into my ears. I am ederly and will not be around when in the near future one of two things will happen.
1. Most white New Zealanders will head offshore to get away from our racist policies.
2. Fighting will commence between the races. Caused by consecutive Governments granting Maori excessive privlidges over the european population. Albyn

*Today is a new world who wants to live in the past. Peter

*I am sick of this treaty crap. Jim

*What you fail to admit is that Maaori have had customary title (as it is being called now) since they first landed on this shore. Article 2 of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, not the mistranslated Treaty, clearly explains this. Tipene

*ALL New Zealanders are equal. Anyone who says otherwise is the racist, not the ones opposing special treatment for one section of society. John

*What you fail to admit is that Maaori have had customary title (as it is being called now) since they first landed on this shore. Article 2 of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, not the mistranslated Treaty, clearly explains this. Tipene

*One law system for all as equal. Elley

*We have become a nation of them and us - which was not intended by the Treaty signatories at all...Annette

*Te Tiriti clearly outlines the partnership as envisioned by Te Tiriti partners in 1840. Kawanatanga was given whilst Rangatiratanga was held by the majority of the time, namely Maaori. The key word here is partnership, since the treaty when have Maaori ever been treated as a partner. Consultation with Iwi is a joke, with leading Paakehaa corporations holding the entrenched view that consultation with Iwi means TELLING Iwi what they (the corporations) are going to do. This clearly goes against the original view of what was meant by Article 2 of Te Tiriti. Tipene

*We should all be one people with equal rights and without the special privileges currently given and certainly curb the demands for new. Peter

*This would drive yet another wedge and create even more ill feeling. There is already "consideration" given by some judges and the legal system because of backlash from Maori and others. Wayne

*One country one law for all. Unless this happens soon we are on a path to nowhere. John

*They have had far too much for far too long. Mike

*Unfortunately, John Key says "yes" which is opposite what he campaigned on in 2008. Hope he looses his lead in 2011. Jackp

*They have got away with far too much already - largely due to the cretinous politicians, especially Labour, that we have these days. Tony

*The way things are going Key will sell, not only his soul and what's left of his honour, but the whole country ,all it contains and all off-shore assets, lock, stock and barrel to Maori. What he in his naivite hopes to gain is a mystery only he and his cohort Finlayson know - they are both deluded!.
The Maori party is the "polite" face of Maori. Titiwhai Harawira and the parrot on her shoulder (Hone) are the real thing - not even bothering to disguise their vicious nature and arrogant ambitions of complete ownership and control of New Zealand from Cape Reinga to The Bluff. Ron

*Why should Maori enjoy any more privileges than anyone else? Alan

*Article 3 does not say Maoris have equal rights, it says "This is an arrengement for the consent to the Government of the Queen. The Queen of England will protect all the Maoris of New Zealand. All the rights will be given to them the same as her doings to the people of England." Note the word "same," it does not say "equal" and there is a huge difference between the two. George

*I support your well argued latest newsletter for its clarity as opposed to the Treaty nonsense so unwelcomingly thrust at us by politicians who have forgotten the vast majority of New zealanders who can easily show an example of their support by signing the Marine and Foreshore Citizens Initiated Referendum. Alan

*Unprintable - there are many good people who happen to have maori blood but there is also a huge bunch of total idiot scumbags. Christopher

*Unfortunately, they will never give up until they have the whole country. We will be become another lost cause in our own country. How John Key can sleep at night, I don't know. I will never vote National again. Fraser

*End all racism now, we cant afford any more of this greed. Yvonne

*We are all New Zealanders so we should all have equal rights. Debbie

*Maori deserve special privileges only when every New Zealander deserves them. Trevor

*No, they are equal citizens in New Zealand, no more, no less. Sue

This week's poll asks:

Should Maori have special privileges in law?

Please don't forget that you can read the rest of the debates on this lively forum by clicking on the GENERAL DEBATE title above.

*Treaty claims are a disgusting rort. Mike

*Stop the handouts and the endless "full and final" (what a joke...) settlements! Kerry

*I believe they fully understand the word 'grab'. Wayne

*We should all be equal under the law regardless of our ethnic mix. Robert

*We all live in this country, we should all abide by the same rules. Andy

*How can Mr Pretty Boy Key who can live with anything and everything successfully run a country. MMP has to go. Why is it that I get one vote to elect an MP while they get two. Come come if its anyone right to elect two fools don't you think it should be those on the NZ general Roll, not politicians or Maori. Also why is it that the new media refer to Maori as Maori and we New Zealander as Pakehas, why not Horrie for them. Bill

*It's time to stop all this nonsense. John

*No special priviledges for one race above another should be given as this creates jealousy and divisions. With nearly all Maori having some pakeha ancestry the time has come for them to accept we are one people. George

*Try New Zealander first, Maori second. After all every one of us black, white or brindle, are descendants of immigrants. and most of the later immigrants are responsible for all the things we enjoy like roads, food, radio, television, houses, electricity etc. So why does one race think they are more privileged than any one else. They say that they were first but, there are some doubts being put forward about that fact also. Time to pull their wooly heads in. Bob

*I have just spoken to a partly Maori friend who went to a Napier clinic for women. She presented with what was clearly a maori first name (she also looks partly Maori) and a european family name. She ticked the N.Z. European box but was then told if you tick the Maori box you will not have to pay the medical costs for your treatment!!! She was upset by this discrimination. David

*Why should they? They have the same privileges as any other citizen living in this country and they were not the first to land on our soil as they want you to believe. Judith

*All NZ Citizens are supposed to be equal - as per the much quoted Treaty of Waitangi! Ted

*The claims & demands for more and more money are unaffordable, discriminatory and spurious. Enough is enough. Bruce

*Giving Maori special privileges & rights is no different from apartheid. Jacky

*If we do not take careful watch what John Key said about another Country owning us and we would be paying rent in our own Country well we do not have to look far for it to happen a lot closer unless we take a stand for OUR RIGHTS. Money is being handed over as though we have a wonderful money tree solely for them and we haven't but they do not understand.
LETS TAKE A STAND NOW. MARYLIN

*Brash & ACT will get my vote. The time is long overdue for the Maori greed to be controlled. Maurice

*I am sick of the pro Maori apartheid which is swamping this country. Selwyn

*We should all be New Zealanders, not classified European or Maori. Richard

*All races who make up New Zealanders should be treated equally in law, anything else is racism and result in continuing problems which will forever hold our country's future back. David

*When people who have a treaty have a war against one another ie the land wars does that not nullify the treaty? Bryon

*Maori were not the first people in NZ and are not entitled to special privileges. Conrad

*Why do those who are only part-Maori claim to be the indiginous race? Surely Moriori were. Be Maori. Mary

*I don't think the Willie Jackson type will ever be satisfied until they have everything! This is very worrying. Lyn

*Special privileges?-no!--but hey!-there seems to be special privileges anyway when certain members of our society kill their children with impunity and are not held accountable. Terry

*All citizens must be equal under the law. John

*The polls show it all. The Maori economy is a $58m. monster.... who owns it. There are no full blooded maoris left not even a half maori ...we are all New Zealanders. This is all bull shit. ..get a life New Zealand. Ian

*They should be reading the Treaty Document like Willie was saying others should do. Elsa

*Everyone should be treated equally. Mark

*This country must stop treating maori in a superior way to all its other citizens. We cannot survive as a nation divided. All are New Zealanders and all should abide within the same laws and receive the same benefits and pay the same taxes. Our schools should teach this and the Treaty needs to become what it is: history that has played out fairly and accomplished, but nevertheless; history. Colleen

*We are all equal and I oppose any change. Ray

*WHEN IS OT ALL GOING TO STOP. THEY HAVE MILLIONS AND YET WHITES WOULD NOT GET ANY DOLE ETC, IT WOULD BE INCOME AND ASSETS, BUT MAORI IT STAYS IN SOMEONE'S COFFER AND WE ALL PAY ONCE MORE. Ian

*There should be no special privileges for Maori in anything. Ron

*We are one people. The greatest mistake has been to allow anyone with a minute amount of Maori blood to claim the benefits of the treaty give aways. I now advise my grandchildren not to resist maori language in school as it is becoming a necessity if a job in the state sector is to be obtained! Irvine

*No, but who is going to listen?? Michael

*No, they are supposed to be equals. Mark

*Absolutely NO the sooner the government gets this the sooner divisions in society will heal. Graham

*Definitely not. Privileges must be earned. Privileges are not available to be bestowed by anyone. In the case of one race over another, then it is obviously a purely racist proposition. Dianna

*With a reported asset base of $37bn, Maori have already been more than compensated for any real and imagined past grievances. Doug

*They should have the same rights as all New Zealanders and if they have managed to collect so much money as a result of Treaty claims then they should ba paying for their own people's welfare, etc. Joy

*We are all equal under the law. Alan

*They should have exactly the same priviledges as all NZers. Col

*Distribution of social/welfare and benefits must be based on peoples needs not by ones race. Norm

*Maori have been paid far more for perceived wrongs of the past, in most cases several times over. This nonsense has to stop. Ian

*Time to grow up. We are all kiwi if united we would be a very powerful nation. Its a shame that as usual it is the few who are holding the majority back. Nick

*All the "claims" have been settled as "full and final" many times before See writings by David Garrett and the laws referring to these settlements he quotes. Bill

*For anyone unsure as to what the answer should be here, simply substitute the word Maori for any other ethnicity/nationality. Jenny

*If priviliges to any group occur at law, based on race, it is sure to lead to a collision with a calamity, which will result in casualties. It has to no other conclusion. Barry

*We all breath the same air and should be treated equally under the Law. This is not currently the case and needs to be actioned forwith. Mark

*No more, Maori already have enough privileges! God forbid!!! Valerie

*We are ALL immigrants. Esme

*Many might be forgiven for thinking that they do at present; but they should not. We are all New Zealanders's and should be equal in all respects in law. Tony

*New Zealanders were critics of South African apartheid yet today New zealand has rampant apartheid and racial privilege. Time to put a stop to the Moari dema. Linda

*I'm sure the majority in this country are heartily sick of this treaty nonsense. Greg

This week's poll asks:

Should Maori have special privileges in law?

Please don't forget that you can read the rest of the debates on this lively forum by clicking on the GENERAL DEBATE title above.

*NO>>NO>>NO. New Zealanders should all be equaly privileged. Ian

*A referendum is the best and only way for the majority to show the government that the people of NZ have had a gutsful of their practice of ignoring the will of the majority. Colin

*A result of the lunatic race for votes. Bruce

*They should not have any special privileges for anything. Apartheid is developing very nicely in NZ so that they get anything they ask for -- no exceptions. I'm sick of it! Arthur

*We are all new zealanders and we shuold all be treated the same way I am a New Zealander. What nationality do the Maori people think they are? Mike

*WE are all NZ'ers, everyone inlcuding Chinese, Japanese or anyone else who lives here and are NZ citizens! No one has special rights, our Grandfathers fought side by side together in the great wars that saved our country. This modern day nonsense has got to stop. Peter

*One people under the Queen. Les

*We can't have our country divided in this way anymore. It is out of hand. Bryce

*Once again you have seperatism. Is this not what Maori have been trying to stop for years gone by. Bryce

*They do not believe in the law, just keep on breaking it. Benjamin

*Can't believe what is taking place in NZ. Colin

*One law for everyone. Wayne

*Absolutely not. It is time that all Maori stood on their own 2 feet and stopped their incessant bludging off the rest of us. John

*One New Zealand for all please! Liz

*They are equal under law. What about Jews, Muslims etc. Why should they be "special". Neville

*The so-called settlers fought hard to make New Zealand a safe place for all its people, and developed the country from a lawless state of cannabalism and transformed the country to a once proud and prosperous nation. Some of the people who vociferously advocate for special Maori rights have plundered the country by fomenting a grievance industry that sees vast natural resources being transferred into the hands of a few Maori elite, while the majority of their people continue to live under the breadline. Many of these people feel encouraged to keep looking back to a falsified history of deprivation instead of being encouraged to carve out a better life for themselves. This grows feelings of entitlement and government dependency that will get them nowhere. Nothing in life is free. When is this bludgeoning off the state and struggling taxpayers going to end? We are already almost at the point of calling on the last contributing New Zealander to leave the country to switch off the lights. Helena

*I believe that they only make up 13 per cent of the population. No put them in there place. They just see the $$$ sign's. Howard

*N.Z. cannot get ahead while the grievance industry in all its guises continues. Catherine

*Enough is enough - Maori have a huge economic base they should be using for the betterment of their people - so how come my taxes still have to pay their doles, their DPB's, their education etc etc etc.... My guess says the cash benefit stops with an elite who live the good life while their own people live the peasant lifestyle in ignorance and whining for more handouts. It's time the hierarchy started supporting their own people - and it's way past time for our politicians to make that plain to the favoured few. I have Maori realations and grandchildren - they receive nothing from their tribal groups - we help them and they also work for a living as well as better themselves through education and sheer hard work - time the Waitangi gravy train mob did the same - no bloody more you stupid stupid MP's and bureaucrats. Grant

*It's time we recognised that all New Zealanders have the same rights and no one should be treated differntly on the basis of race. Maori grievances have become a huge industry and as Neew Zealanders we need to say enough is enough. Maggie

*There can be no future for New Zealand with Maori endlessly claiming superiority under the law. It is indeed time to say ENOUGH to National. Phil

*And the greavance industry should be stopped now. Alan

*All New Zealanders should be equal. Not Maori and then the rest. Murray

*Yes agree lets get rid of racism in reverse. Wayne

*The plural of the word maori in Maori is ngamaori. In English it is maoris. Why do you persist in using the politically correct butchery of the English language. K

*A special place in NZ history..YES...but special privilge in LAW..NO bloody WAY!!! Rick

*As I've said before, let Fuhrer Key have a referendum on the Marine & Coastal Bill so the people can express themselves on the issue and show him their disapproval. he wont do it of course - the man is a liar, sycophant and hypocrite and not fit to lead our country. It's strange that Nationals back room boys are able to present this dickhead in such a way that many kiwis are taken in by it all. Bill

*Absolutely not. It's time the politicians stopped pandering to Maori activists. It's also time we dumped the politicians who have allowed this situation to develop and continue. It's the old story. Give us your vote and then go away! Denis

*WHY SHOULD THEY, most if not all are less than 50% Maori blood. Graeme

*Not only should their be no special privileges - people like Willie Jackson need to be publicy corrected as to the asset transition dollar value to Maori. Politicians are elected to do our bidding - we didn't vote for this!! Gary

*Of course they should not have - Who do they think they apart of being former Cannibals as well as responsible for extinction of many species of animals & bird life. Rob

*I don't think most Maori even wish for special priveleges: what's more, I am sure most Maori are disgusted at the posturing and greed exhibited by the relatively small number of Maori who whinge about past wrongs and bleat about being somehow more special than the rest of us. No more! John Key has proven to be a complete moron. Next election, National is OUT. Brendan

*Call me old fashioned, but I still love that concept of democracy and one law for all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Andy

*Absolutely and positively NO NO NO NO NO NO NO. Susannah

*Why should they? Other than eat the people that were here before them, what have they done? I'm sick of the gravy train! Trish

*Brown, White, yellow Skin. We are all the same. We all have the same opportunity in school as in what we do. NOT like the Maori leaders say. Brian

*No is not strong enough to describe the reasons why Maori should be treated any differently from all New Zealanders. We are supposed to be one country, one people. Hopefully Dr Brash will bring some commonsense and direction on this subject to our next Parliament? Chris

*This appalling racism, unimaginable in any other context, must be banished utterly. Cowardly Key needs a kick up the backside. Let's hope Don Brash resoundingly delivers it. David

*That is one of the best written articles on the treaty rorting that I have ever read! You can fell it in the mood of the country at the moment - we have (nearly) all had enough. ENOUGH! Peter

*Everyone should be counted as a New Zealander. Who are the Maori anyway? There are none left in this country now. Most sensible "Maori" who still get counted as Maori appreciate and want the same as any NZers. Also in spite of what they now think they were not the first settlers here. Who did they destroy to take over? Elsie

*They are not the 'indigenous' people of NZ. They killed out the first band of pacific settlers!! Linda

*We are a nation of mixed race and should celebrate that fact. Carole

*They should be only equal as any other person. Geoff

*It is a pity that the people who need the motivation to get off their backsides and do something positive with their lives are the ones who cannot read or write properly, so they don't get the message no matter how many times we try to get through to them. Their leaders (Elders) have a vested interest to keep them there, as they reap the benefits of cashing in on the gravy train it creates for them. The self-interest of politicians to stay in power exacerbates this as well. Kees

*I thought that all men (i.e. mankind) were created equal....... we appear to be travelling down the slippery slope to aparthied with incrasing velocity. Sylvia

*I agree, enough is enough, time to say NO! Brenda

*This has gone on to long we are all New Zealanders all races they should not be getting any special treatment it is racist to all other new Zealanders!!! Desiree

*National was a party that was getting rid of Maori seats -prior to the election! What happened to Democracy? James

*Every New Zealander should be equal under the law of the land. Bruce

*Nothing will happen NZ people are apathetic. Alan

*Of course they should - and the 40,000 who mistakenly believe that Maoris are not superior should be sent to re-education camps at their own expense to learn the error of their ways! John

*Obviously not. If everyone votes ACT at the election we can sort this out damn quick. John

*No, they have the same abilities as anyone else, let them use them. We should all be equal under the law. Cheryl

*Until the current stupid situation ends, N.Z will not progress. Jim

*I hate slippery slides and this is a big one. Wayne

*Indigenous? NO
Partners? NO
Special? NO Doug

This week's poll asks:

Should Maori have special privileges in law?

Please don't forget that you can read the rest of the debates on this lively forum by clicking on the GENERAL DEBATE title above.

*Of course they shouldn't (and it was never intended that they did), trouble is that nowadays with all the PC bull shit, no-one in authority appears to have the guts to mention (let alone quote from) the “Original Littlewood Treaty”.
Why has this important historical document been hidden away from the public of NZ (I would love to know how many people are aware that it even exists), I believe that all of the ‘Treaty’ problems could be quickly and fairly solved by bringing the “Littlewood Treaty” right out into the open, reading and interpreting it exactly how it was written and then righting any of the wrongs that have been done. Part of the trouble is that with all the good will in the world, we (NZCPR members) only ever seem to partake in phone surveys and write letters to forums, it’s very interesting but neither will ever really solve anything. We need someone to lead the charge, someone to tell Government that they can no longer ride rough shod over us, who can do it and how, I have no idea but if it’s not done we will be moaning about the same things that we always moan about .... week after week.
Muriel, your headline this week is , “The time is right to say NO MORE” ! ………… well, I think we all agree …… how about you tell us who we say it to and how we do it in a way that ‘they’ are compelled to sit up, listen and react. Tony

*Tell me one reason why they should??? Maria

*No, and definitely not in gaol. Fred

*No one should have special privileges in New Zealand to the exlcusion of others, never; period. Peter

*Key and his sycophants have kowtowed to the maori vote purely for political expediency, and the public as a whole now face a new round of unnecessary native issues. There must be one law for all. Gavin

*My wife of 26 years is Chinese, our 4 children are mixed race or Eurasian. If one were to say to me I'm Chinese, I'd say you're half Chinese and likewise if one said I'm European I'd say you're half European. I can't for the life of me work out how people with 5% Maori heritage can claim to be Maori. Anyone with less than 50% Maori heritage should be struck off the Maori electoral role. By adopting a heritage percentage is the only way we will see an end to this crazy fiasco. Rob

*Maori should have the SAME privileges, not more, not less. Where it is necessary for some disadvantaged sector of the community to receive specail treatment, this treatment should be based on need, not ethnicity, race, or religion. John

*Gone on for too long. We are ALL NZers under one flag - one nation. Clive

*Billions have gone into supporting Maori over the past few decades. The money would have been better spent on health, education and research for ALL New Zealanders. Jasmine

*I note that the vast majority of Maori have more european ancstery than Maori. Ken

*Yes the majority of NZers have had enough. I am yet to find anyone who agrees with all this racial handout stuff - enough is enough. Brent

*Equal yes priviledged NO. Peter

*I am tired of Maori grievances and the National government sympathetically swallowing every word of Maori radicals.
Indigenous dogma. If they are indigenous so am I since my grandparents arrived here in sailing ship and found someone else here just like Maori in 13.50 A.D. They just transferred from one country to another. Colin

*There is no reason why they should, they already have many advantages. Stop the gravy train before it costs the whole country even more in money, cultural and racial terms. John

*If we are all New Zealanders how can they claim any special privelege based on race. Christine

*One legal structure for ALL. Noel

*Absolutely not! I am a New Zealander first and a European / part Maori second. About time that mind-set was encouraged! Mark

*No. NZ for all New Zealanders. Jocelyn

*Absolutely not, they are always breaking it. Graeme

*All citizens should enjoy equal right and equal obligations to each other. Gerhard

*The only comment I can make is to say that I fully agree with and support everything the commentators for NZ CPR have published in regard to the Treaty and this topic. We need to do something; this needs to be spread (before it's too late). Simon

*I as an older New Zealander am fed up to the back teeth with all this maori rubbish. What we learnt in history of the Maori at school seems to have lost all relevance in this day and age. How all can be doctored up to make a silk purse out of a sows ear beats me. Why do not Maori acknowledge there true past instead of making all of us look guilty of things that never happened Don Brash and Wiston Peters are the only two who are prepared to stand up for the majority of us new Zealanders what ever the colour of our skins so thanks to those two guys for there good work and lastly get us off the gravy train before we become another Zimbabwe. Russell

*There is no reason they should. Barry

*THEY COMPLAIN ABOUT THEIR LOSS OF LAND BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PRIVATE HOME OWNERS LIKE ME AND MY PARENTS WHO ARE MAORI AND WE OWN OUR OWN HOME SO MANY MAORI OWN THEIR OWN HOUSES AND HAVE NOT LOST LAND AT ALL - IT HAS JUST MORPHED INTO A DIFFERENT TYPE OF OWNERSHIP. Yvonne

*No race based privileges! One country one law for everybody! Politicians are creating a situation comparable with South Africa's apartheid and they aren't even aware of it!!! Will

*Time this stopped!! Rob

*Absolutely NO this is racialism at it's worst divisive and deceptive. It is also very dangerous to our peaceful existence in NZ. Sue

*Its Time John Boy grew some b---- and put the brakes on. Enough is enough. Barry

*Nearly all Maori that call themselves Maori have quite a percentage of European heritage. What part of that heritage do they not like to acknowledge. It is a very sad state of affairs. As far as I am concerned we are all equal citizens of this country called New Zealand. This country is on the downward slide of economic disaster. Suzanne

*Enough is enough and we are far beyond enough. Pete

*A clear & loud NO, as it is divisive, even if this is vehemently denied. IT IS SO DIVISIVE. Eneka

*I think the gravy train is leading to an elite of spoiled brats. Martin

*Absolutely not. We are all equals in law. Norm

*Number one;- They are NOT the true, indigenous race of New Zealand at all! No.2.-There should be NO 'racial-preference' for ANY race or 'type' in NZ! Jennifer

*Everyone should be equal, no one race is extra special than any other. Gillian

*All these handouts to the Maori elite are bankrupting the country. Its time for all NZers to benefit equally. Barbara

This week's poll asks:

Should Maori have special privileges in law?

Please don't forget that you can read the rest of the debates on this lively forum by clicking on the GENERAL DEBATE title above.

*By definition, the least racist statement one can make is "All people should be equal under the law." David

*Absolutely agree with David Round and his Time to Say "no" to Treaty Claims. Mike

*The Treaty process is a gravy train for a select few and its time it ended or it will be the ruin of this country. Tony

*One law for all NZ'S, settle genuine claims on lands which were taken by the crown and let that be the end!! Gerard

*One country, one people. Matt

*We are all NZ citizens -- and wish to be treated equally - not by race creed or religion. John

*All Nzers should be equal. Graham

*They are New Zealanders as are the rest of us and as such are bound by the same laws and awarded the same privileges as all other New Zealanders. Any other way is just racist. Martin

*NZ needs to focus on productivity not an internal money-go-round. Collin

*Im in a CRAZY family situation where 2 of my children have had Maori privileges that the other 2 can not have, how crazy and unfair is that? Same family. Grant

*What do you do about it Labour & National are both to blame. Act are the only party to stop it but they wont get enough votes to do it. John

*Why are they entitled? We ALL live in NZ, same rules apply to all. Anna

*Will this gravy train never stop ? EJ

*81% said No, in spite of TVNZ's attempt to get the opposite, Key will definately take note of that - yeah right. John

*NZ politicians have developed many other race based policies that give privilege to the brown group (of which I am one)when we should all be treated the same. NZ is driving itself backwards too the 1800's which sends our best offshore. If this race based country does not change very soon it will become a small village in the vast Pacific. Mark

*Sick off it. We're all equal. Ross

*I'm sick to death of the whole thing. Time Maori stood on their own two feet. Carolyn

*Maori have made great strides, time now to encourage them to participate to the betterment of all New Zealand. Bob

*They are entitled to the same as every other New Zealand citizen, no more, no less. Brent

*Muriel newman's commentary says it all- if we care about being Kiwis and all that means we have a beautiful and unique country that is going backwards fast- now is absolutely the time to say " enough is enough- no more treaty claims!" - the gravy train MUST STOP NOW . How about every new zealander and especially those on the gravy train asking .... "what can I do for my country or myself?" versus " what is the country going to do for me". Ranee

*My grand daughter represents the coming generation of kiwis. She is 50% Maori only, therefore why should she get special priviledges by forgetting her Pakeha half and proclaiming her Maori half for financial gain and privileges denied her mother? Suzanne

*Maori have been privileged since the signing of the treaty, no more, we are all equal and should be treated as equals. Carolyn

*We should continue to promote One land, one united people under one flag and one law. Ken

*Absolutely NOT. What an unjust racial divide that would be!! Walter

*Not anyone should have priveleges, especially if they are not PURE. There is NO 100% Maori left in the world. Peter

*Commend you for your tireless work towards putting an end to this completely unacceptable Maori grievance industry which has, and will continue to, seriously damage our wonderful country. Its just a shame that we have so have a portion of our people who don't seem to be able to think for themselves. The recent outburst from Hone Hawarira's mother should indicate to any thinking NZer where these folk are coming from. John

*We were all born in NZ.....it is time to put the past behind us and work together to make NZ great. The Maori / Pakeha divide will completely ruin this country if allowed to continue. Sandra

*Should a half-caste get half as much as a full blood from a treaty settlement? Who, or What, is a Maori? Ngatipakeha me! Dave

*No group should have special privileges over another in any law in a so-called democratic civilised country. Peter

*No way - I'm even sick of hearing this BS in the media. Alex

*Everyone I know who left this country in the last 20 years - and there have been many - cited the economy AND the treaty as their reasons. Karen

*If we are all NZers then there can be only one Law - a Law giving special + additional rights to a racial group is therefore racist. Sam

*THEY HAVE TOO MUCH LEEEWAY ALREADY. Alan

*We should follow the Treaty of Waitangi intent: One, People, One Nation under the sovereignty of the Crown. How can you have 2 peoples living side by side in some fabricated "partnership?" Keith

*No. We are all one nation. The maori took privileges and even the right to live from a great many people when they first arrived here - so NO. Gary

*Key was good at buying and selling currency to become ultra rich, but when it comes to the never-ending greedy demands of part-Maori, he appears stupid and weak. How come there are so many happy, healthy part-maori who have studied, got off their bums and worked like the rest of us and yet we still have this group who are indoctrinating their young part-maori into believing all this crap. My own daughter-in-law is studying Maori history at uni and I have never heard so much sanitised garbage as she is being taught, and she believes. Great for a argument. $37 billion would have made this country into a rich and prosperous nation instead of being on our knees and riddled with debt. Burn the treaty!! Carolyn

*As you point out we are all equal under the law. One law for all. Sonia

*Equality before the law. Glenn

*Let us hope that the New Zealand politicians will wake up and see that the only way forward is if Maori and Pakeha share EQUAL rights and privileges under New Zealand law. Terry

*When TV One held its referendum the question was ambiguous. I voted yes because they do enjoy a privileged position not because I thought they should enjoy such a position. Tony

*We are all equal before God who gave us the Ten Commandments. There was no special privileges for any one, not even his chosen people and they weren't Maori. Frank

*The TVNZ poll was misleading. Of course Maori have a special place in New Zealand. Under article three of the Treaty it is clear however that this should NOT translate into special privileges. TO believe that they do, means that this Article is being as twisted as much as the US Second Amendment (rights to bear arms, unconnected to service in a militia). David

*When will Maori realise that giving special priveleges is demeaning, it is saying they cannot get by unless they are always helped along, special privileges created dependence and stifle the will to make one's own way in life. Demeaning, it puts the people receiving special priveleges under. Avril

*We are all supposed to be equal in law and we are all NZ citizens. No special rites. Bruce

*Enough is enough! One law for all. One small handful of Maori are taking the Mickey out of their fellow countrymen. Kay

*We are all one full stop. Same laws for all. Roger

*A kiwi is a kiwi is a kiwi. Piet