NZ Centre for Political Research

This week's poll asks:

Are you concerned that the National Party is being unduly influenced by the Iwi Chairs Forum?

*Helen Clark at the UN must be jumping with joy at how she initiated most of this. Now John Key has seen how he can get in on the act and line his pockets. Make no mistake, this Government is not doing things for the "good of the country". The national party is commiting Treason against the people of New Zealand. Neil

*I have had recent dealings with the Auckland City Council. Why did they refer to Maori as the "Primary Race"? To Quote Irene Steiner of the council. What did she mean by that?? Tim

*Maoris have been given the same opertunities in education as the rest of NZers and now they abuse it - some for greed, some for power and some to rip off systems put in place to help the handicapped. Is it not time they gave back instead of wanting more? Mary

*Its frightening that certain Maori are demanding so much. This is bound to create racial tension. Barbara

*Elizabeth Rata is absolutely correct in her assumptions and our apathy. Michael

*Kiwis need to be shaken out of their apathetic torpor before they receive a rude shock when they go to the beach and find the local iwi selling tickets (at which point they will blame everyone else but themselves for doing nothing). Unfortunately it will be too late. Maori activists will have won their MAJOR CASH COW - US! Brian

*What happened to key's promise to get rid of the Maori party? I can see NZ rapidly approaching a reverse apartheid situation, where minority maori would hold the majority non maori to ransom. John

*It looks like next year is one year I won't be voting National. John

*I feel that the rights of European Kiwis is slowly been eroded from behind closed doors and we will eventually be nothing more than strangers and visitors here. The Treaty made us all equal regardless of skin colour. Stella

*I am very concerned that the National Party is so politicly correct and let its self being influenced by the Iwi Chairs Forum. Charlotte

*As 5th generation NZers we are shocked and dismayed. We believe in partnership between Maori and us but not handing over our birthright. John and Diane

*But then, National is basically prepared to do anything to stay in power - and the Maori Party will always be in Parliament (courtesy of the undemocratic Maori seats) and will almost always hold the balance of power. Therefore, National has to have the support of the Maori party to be sure of staying in power. What is needed is a viable third party on the right-wing that can guarantee winning 10 to 20 seats in every election. Unfortunately, most Kiwis are too socialist to ever understand the need for this. Their votes are bought too easily by the huge numbers of people receiving some form of Government handout. Gary

*Where are they leading us? This is very dangerous. Norm

*I dont know what Key and his Govt are thinking. They have been hoodwinked by Iwi claiming to represent the wider Maori poulation, when in fact they are nothing but a self serving bunch of racists bastards. Wake up National, you're getting screwed over, and the majority of New Zealanders with you. Peter

*Enough is enough, we are all one peoples. All nz natural resourses should remain in govt. ( peoples hands ) for all nzer's stop this current MADNESS. Bill

*Yes, I am sure that an apartheid attitude is being adopted by our present Government regards Maori. James

*Yes, to the detriment of a large mayority of the population. Truus

*Concerned, I am outraged by the filthy, greedy iwi tribal leaders demanding every concession while furthering this country for ever backwards to a Treaty of Wai. constitution. What are the benefits for the country in a race to the racial bottom?
Finlayson is a dangerous ego-maniac and Key needs to be rolled as de facto Prime Minister, P.Sharples may as well be there. Monica

*There is no question about that issue but I am convinced that this is all about John Key's personal ambitions to remain as N Z prime minister as long as he can and he will do whatever is needed to achieve that. Lie, cheat, deceive, bribe, you name it he will do it. The worst and most dangerous politician we have ever had. He will go on with his wave and smile tatics and continue to impress the gullible among us.God help NZ. Bill

*If this bill is passed Key's political career is over. Matt

*This is just a grab for power under the guise of Maori by those who are all at least 50% pakeha. Perhaps it's well past time that we asked the question "What is needed to be able to claim to be Maori" In the USA a person has to have 25% native blood to be classed as Indian. If we had the same benchmark a lot of this nonsense would be cut out. Alan

This week's poll asks:

Are you concerned that the National Party is being unduly influenced by the Iwi Chairs Forum?

*I, like the many people I speak to, am very concerned at what is going on in this beautiful country. The National Party was elected to govern based on their stated policies during the run up to the elction. Unfortunately,they have not kept their promises and are bowing to the pressure of the maori elite in order to keep their jobs. The country is going to be even more divided if this current Bill goes through. Life will not be pleasant and I foresee big troubles ahead. National will certainly not be getting my vote, nor apparently any one of the many people I speak with. Dorothy

*Why are we still pandering to racist/racially based groups of any sort! Brian

*It has been proven we have only one Tiriti, Maori, and it contains no exclusive Maori rights. When I challenged the Maori Affairs Select Committee on the Marine Bill to prove otherwise, none could. George

*National is effectively promoting corruption by pandering to this 'Iwi Elite'. We can not allow the privatisation of large public assets to go into the coffers of Iwi Corporations for revenue gathering and personal wealth. Will this wealth and revenue flow down to the benefit the average Maori? I double it. It will make a privileged few rich and powerful. Estelle

*This is not the B all to end all BUT the BEGINGING OF REASONED CHANGE. Time will tell all. Rawiri

*I am Gutted. I have just read the Maori Party briefing paper on the Coastal and Seabed Act. My comment is:- "Be afraid, Be very afraid" Albyn

*Absolutely horrific - National will never get another vote if all this comes to pass. Peter

*The Iwi representatives are basing their whole argument on Maori being indigenous, the original inhabitants, yet there has been archealogical proof in recent years that this is not so. There were people here before Maori and the pertinent question should be,"How did their demise occur?" Was it by conquest and subsequent cannibalism, which was the norm in the South Pacific in those times? If Maori were not indigenous, and they say themselves the canoes came from Hawaiiki, then they took this land by conquest...much as early Europeans did. Its Time National and Labour made a firm and cohesive statement on the issue and get rid of this debate, based on historical facts. Vic

*THEY SEEM TO THINK IT'S PEACE AT ANY PRICE AS FAR AS THE MAORIS ARE CONCERNED ARE THEY SCARED OF THEM??? JAN

*Are you concerned that the National Party is being unduly influenced by the Iwi Chairs Forum? Concerned would be a gross understatement! The plot thickens exponentially! It now seems that National, and in particular Key and Finlayson, far from being the actual government, are mere puppets of the Maori elitists endeavouring to hang onto a little power from their puppet-masters. The irony is that, as they always do, once they have exhausted the use of such puppets to further their agenda, Maori will drop them like hot potatoes. Key looks more like Pinochio every day! Ron

*Absolutely, I can not for the life of me see what the advantage is to NZ to continue in this separatist way. The only people being advantaged is the leaders of the various groups who are in continuous employ making outrageous amounts of money for their own pocket payed for by the tax payers. Gary

*Since Norm Kirk and his Labour party started the elevation of the Treaty of Waitangi to near constitutional status , it has all been down hill and race relations have deteriorated as a direct result. In the seabed and foreshore bill, a desperate effort to retain the balance of power for National we have gone way too far. I await with trepidation the outcome of the review of the need for a written Constitution!!, Margaret Mutu will have a field day!! Irvine

*National is desperate for support of the Maori party, obviously. Have a referendum, emulate people power in the middle east. Paul

*If Naional does not scrap the foreshore bill I will not be voting National. Ron

This week's poll asks:

Are you concerned that the National Party is being unduly influenced by the Iwi Chairs Forum?

*There is no such animal as an "Indigenous New Zealander". John Key is the best we have got but this lilley-livered pandering is destructive and disgusting. Ian

*A very sad time for Kiwis. Very few know whats going on. Alec

*I am very concerned. I voted National last election but did not vote for any of this. Josie

*The National Socialist party are proving to be either a bunch of born to rule, socialist fools. I have little doubt that some of the leadership have a hidden agenda. Attorney General Finlayson is either very stupid which I doubt, or very dangerous for N.Z. He is a disgrace to the legal profession. The smiling fool Key and his unelected therefor unaccountable minister Joyce falls into the same category.These men are dangerous. I call to all National Party members look to your leadership stop defending the indefensible. Listen to Don Brash. Michael

*This government has absolutely no mandate for this legislation, when the bill is passed this week as it will almost certainly be , the National party will be history, they have seriously underestimated the feeling of the people on this issue. Robert

*Six of my associates have recently left N.Z. permanently to reside in Australia and the underlying reason they are tired of weak N.Z.governments being intimidated by Maori elite National top the list as being weakest link. Colin

*National has lost four votes in our family...over this issue. Donald

*Its just like Cancer, and needs to be caught in its early stage to get rid of it. John

*Put the subject up as a Party mandate and see if the population who vote support the Bill, this will determine whether or not there is support for this legislation. Warren

*Australia is looking more attractive all the time. Steve

*Despite the fact that I have ZERO inclination to support parties like Labour and the Greens, there is no way on earth I will be giving my mandate to National at the next election!!!!!!!!!!! Andy

*They are making Maori an elite race within our country something foreign to NZers. George

*Your report is news to me which I am sure most Kiwis are not aware of. Graham

*Who exactly is running the country? Pita Sharples I think. Sheila

*This Government has no mandate to give away to anyone, Maori or Pakeha what rightly belongs to us all. Sylvia

*The govt' should not kowtow to the get rich quick elements of the Maori IWI. David

*Quote! It is a recognition under the English legal system, is that the people who were hear first! gained an interest in property by virtue of that fact. There is too much proven evidence to show that Maori were NOT the first inhabitants of N.Z. and therefore have no more rights than anyone else in this country. If John Key and his cronies are so desperate for National to stay in power, the maybe they should listen to what the people want. Do not continue to run the country on corruption! Don

*There must be one law for all people in NZ not one for minority groups. Jim

*This is nothing but a vote catching scam. They are all so dishonest you can't believe anything anymore. If they want to contro; out water which is not the same water that was here at the time of the treaty signing I wonder if the Iwi will be interested inwaste water and sewerage dispossal also the disposal of rubbish that might cost them moey and not generate money for them Where will it all end? Judith

*Will the tail ever stop wagging the dog? Maurice

*This Bill is a disgusting monument to your cowardice and self-interest. If you pass this bill into law you will be known in history as traitors and betrayers who sold NZ down the river in the interests of only yourselves and the Maori corporate big-wigs. And my vote will never again be cast in favour of the National party. Bye bye Peter Dunne from the Parliament, though no doubt you will get a sweetheart deal from the Chief of Betrayal and Broken Promises, John "Mincing Man (?)" Key. Shame on you all. Kevin

*What's in it for the National Party members? What is the kick-back? Is it part of a plan bigger than NZ? Rod

This week's poll asks:

Are you concerned that the National Party is being unduly influenced by the Iwi Chairs Forum?

*Yes, it would seem to be the case. Dr. Elizabeth Rata has pointed out the dangers of special Maoridom interests which will, and are, undermining egalitarian democratic politics in NZ under the guise of Treaty of Waitangi authority. Her evidence is being ignored generally, and consequently the citizenry will pay a great cost not only in financial terms but in social deterioration. Nothing but damage is gained where self-interest is the sole purpose. Paul

*I would not trust this National party as far as I can kick them with this bill. Ron

*I'm frightened for my children having to live in a racist country. Craig

*We are one country and we need to move on hand in hand and not one set of priviledges for one and not the other. Len

*Absolutely. It will not be long now before the Maoris take over control of all the NZ harbours and shipping, mining & petroleum, airports, mines, fishing rights, air rights, NZ Defence Forces - alraedy have a good start on this one! How long will it be before we see a Maori flag flying over or alongside our iconic flags at Auckland Airport, Auckland Harbour Bridge, and our NZ House of Parliament? It was awonderful life being brought up in NZ - Heaven help our future young people! Nigel

*All people in this country should have the same rights at all times. Tom

*I do not understand why John Key is bending over backwards to accommodate Iwi. There might possibly be a secret pay-off the NZ public is not aware off. EJ

*The National party of 2011 is a party of either idiots or racists. But in the absence of sensible policies from the main alternative parties we are stuck with what a National government gives us. John

*Yes absolutely this government has to go along with the moari party and lets get back to new Zealand for all New Zealanders. Clark

*The whole set-up is completely outrageous. Jenny

*Never in the field of New Zealand politics have so many Quislings sat on the government benches of parliament. Forbes

*IWI Chairs forum is NOT an elected voter group and is at best a political lobbyist. All submissions and dealings with lobbyists should be mandatory transparent to the whole voting public. Lobbyists should be required to make submissions only in public forum. Backroom deals should be by definition illegal. Vernon

*Yes, I have been concerned since National has taken office. Now John Key wants to sell the electric companies and John Key says that mum and dad will be able to buy them in shares... but what he really means is Corporate iwi will buy them making them more powerful than ever. I am voting Winston Peters as a protest vote against Key. Jack

*Yes I am concerned. It seems like the National Party will side with Iwi just to win their party votes in the election. Karen

*So sad as it will lead to strife between people with no Maori ancestry and those who may only be 1/16th Maori. Eneka

*It's exactly what you would expect from Key and his little legal toad. Ronmac

*There is a ridiculous tendency in NZ for new incoming governments to avoid repealing legislation of their predecessors. Surely, this is a case where this trend will be reversed? Dave

This week's poll asks:

Are you concerned that the National Party is being unduly influenced by the Iwi Chairs Forum?

*What happened to one law for all under the British Crown as promised by the Treaty of Waitangi? We must all remember that with the rights and privileges of British subjectship (is that a proper word?) granted to all New Zealanders by the treaty come responsibilities. Kerry

*No one in New Zealand will be able to say they weren't warned when this bill starts to take effect and while there is no credible opposition Key will continue to ignore public opinion, while ACT keep their heads buried in the sand and refuse to restructure NZ politics will continue slipping to the left, I cannot understand why National members are allowing this to happen. John

*This is our tsunami.... SW

*This legislation should include all sectors of NZ society, otherwise the current status will cripple New Zealander's ability to remain a cohesive population for generations into the future. Urgency through the parliamentary process should NOT be the prerequisite for such a complex subject and wisdom and time must be given a wider societal deliberation. A Special Poll should be conducted. otherwise "United we stand - Divided we fall"..... Judy

*Key is such a WIMP and lacks the BOLLOCKS for the job. I thought we would see a change when the Anti-Clark was ousted, but it seems not. Both wear trousers, but the Anti-Clark has bigger bollocks than Key. Mark

*Toooo choked up to comment on this sell out of our beautiful country. Louise

*Scary stuff if you are a "Kiwi". Robert

*We are heading towards an apartheid country where the minority NON-indigenous immigrants have the non-indigenous majority, in NZ & in Parliament by the short & curlies!!!! Remember, November 2011 is Election time. Time to remember Mr.Key's broken promises from the run up to the last elections!!! Time NOT to be sucked in again!!! Eh ???? Dave

*More than 'concerned' or merely interested, I am shocked and desparate,amazed that averge Kiwi intelligence is so poor, limited to beer, master chefs and Rugby. We must "guillotine" these Maori aristocrats and John Key right now. Later will be too late. The Maori seats are no longer merited nor needed. James

*I believe National has already lost a lot people becouse of this. There is an opportunity for National to move the country forward but are showing no signs of doing so. Is it possible to run this country on a smaller budget? Do we need 170 M.Ps? National seems to be another Labour. Trevor

*More of the same isn't? I can see the time when ordinary Kiwi's may have to take up arms to fight for the right to live in the country they were born in. The most distasteful part of all this is that these 'corporates' are prompted and directed by 'Pakeha' (God I hate that word) Should these 'corporates' be successful in their quest for total control of everything, it may well be their undoing. The thousands of Maori who have been sold on the promise by 'corporate' iwi will see nothing of any benefit. They will eventually rise up alongside Pakeha and reclaim the country for all New Zealanders. The government could stop this right now if it had the guts. I fear not. Ray

This week's poll asks:

Are you concerned that the National Party is being unduly influenced by the Iwi Chairs Forum?

*It is a huge concern to realise how much the public are being manipulated by cunning politicians and even more cunnning Maori leaders. We need a government that is prepared to close down the rorts not open them up. Shame on the National party. Susan

*I had no idea that the strategy being employed by iwi was so ruthless. That's the problem - Kiwis are trusting and don't expect other Kiwis to try to take advantage to such a huge degree. The National party are traitors for sellng out to the iwi elite. Jim

*The Maori seats have got to go. And National has got to go. The public can no longer trust them. Kenneth

*The good will of New Zealanders is being exploited by manipulative politicians and activists. The iwi leaders might look like professionals but they are screwing the public for all they can get. When is someone going to put an end to such brazen exploitation. At least Labour took the side of Kiwis when it came to the foreshore and seabed debacle - Helen Clark had the guts to stand up to them. John Key is in bed with them. It makes me sick. Pat

*National are worse than Labour. Peter