Myopic Vision

I was reading an article about 10 days ago on a NZ news website (www.stuff.co.nz/koreo), about a Treaty claim by Māori for UK pensions. The campaign is being spear headed by David Rankin an Auckland Unitec lecturer and a descendant of the Ngapuhi chief Hone Heke, who is the first Māori to have signed the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. I have to say, that while I am in favour of progressive campaigns for the economic and social improvement of Māori, I can’t stop wondering if this campaign seeking UK pension entitlement sets a debilitative precedent for Māori. Living in New Zealand, I’ve heard more unflattering comments about Māori than I’ve heard positive. It’s sad that Māori aren’t always perceived well. I’ve so often heard people refer to them as “those bloody lazy dole-pinching Māori”, or those “loud aggressive once were warriors types”. Conceivably, a large number of these stereotypes stem from ill- informed views or possibly, because people have just not seen solid examples of hard wo...

I do apologise for the long hiatus. It was never my intention to permit myself such a sustained absence. The truth is work (and a lot of it) has been claiming all of my energy and coupled with the gym, it leaves me far too exhausted when I finally get home each day. But I've been making a sincere attempt to get out of bed on the weekends and actually get out and enjoy myself. I spent one weekend with my friends Sam and Cathryn. Cathryn myself found our way to China town for really good Dim Sim at the "CHINESE EXPERIENCE" and then went to see the famous Aussie play VEGEMITE TALES, which was amusing and entertaining with equal measure. The following day, Sam and I went to see the BLACK DAHLIA, a film so bad I won't waste time telilng you any more about it. But we did stop for a good chat and coffee and some shopping in China Town. It was the good company, over the activity that made a difference to the weekend. I spent this last weekend with my couisn DC who is in Lon...