Comment from kiwisteveh

Excellent

Five stars for the quality of the presentation and the originality.

Something of a raised eyebrow for the alarmist and fearmongering content. As nearly everybody here in New Zealand knows, the haka is simply a piece of theatre, originally intended to instill terror in enemy opponents, but now just designed to get eyes on the Tv and clicks on Facebook and Instagram.

And is there any particular reason for the note about cannibalism? That is of course well in the past and still disputed to some extent by historians

Steve

 Comment Written 22-Nov-2024

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reply by the author on 24-Nov-2024

Well, my poem ends on the topic of cannibalism so I just wanted to make sure the reader knew I was referring to the past.

Archaeological findings have confirmed that the Maori did eat (worthy) enemies fallen.

While writing this poem I learned much about New Zealand and its beautiful green rolling hills.

The bill concerning the proposed change of the historical Waitangi Treaty signed in 1840, is creating turmoil.

The Maori are on the "war path" and MP Clarke was not performing a friendly haka...she and the other members were clearly stating their disapproval over the bill...they mean business.

Stay safe!

reply by kiwisteveh on 24-Nov-2024

No worries. Our country is one of the safest in the world. The haka in Parliament has stirred up some controversy but it was really just a piece of theatre, demonstrating some strength of feeling. Those who performed it were in breach of parliamentary privilege, they will be reprimanded by the speaker and given a token punishment and life will go on.
FYI the proposed Bill (which has no chance of being passed) did not aim to change the Treaty. It somehow intended to codify the Treaty so that interpretation of various parts of it could be legally defined.Part of the problem is that the Treaty was written in some haste by the English colonial authorities and then translated even more hastily into Maori and it is generally agreed that it was far from a perfect translation and vital words like 'sovereignty' were thus misunderstood by the Chiefs who signed it.

reply by the author on 24-Nov-2024

Thank you for providing more insight into the bill and why Clarke and Co are not happy.

I saw there has been a 10-day-long peaceful march/hikoi. Protesters look very agitated.

You say that the word "sovereignty" was misunderstood by the chief Maori who signed the treaty at the time.

The English version I imagine gave the crown sovereignty over New Zealand

so if the government adjusted the Maori version of the treaty to mirror the English version, wouldn't that give more rights to the crown than to the Maori?

reply by kiwisteveh on 24-Nov-2024

This gets complicated pretty quickly and I'm not totally au fait with all the ins and outs. In simple terms, the colonists did what colonists always do and took advantage of their numbers, their influence and their technology (read weaponry) It would be fair to say they trampled on the terms of the Treaty. There was sporadic conflict up until the end of the 19th Century.
For many years it was almost assumed that the Maori race would die out or be completely assimilated and that the language would disappear. Even when I was at school in the 50s and 60s Maori kids were punished for speaking it at school.
There has been a strong resurgence since then and various governments have authorised negotiations towards restoring rights and offering financial redress for the wrongs of the past. This was done on a tribe by tribe basis and is still in progress today. Meanwhile the language is back, taught in all schools and celebrated as part of our culture, now an official language and the Maori version of the National Anthem is now sung in tandem with the English one.
So, progress... but grievances remain. Maori remain behind in education and health, especially in rural areas.
The Treaty stands as a kind of symbol, a sort of safeguard for their rights, and it would be a very brave government that touched it.

Comment from SimianSavant

Exceptional

Wow. I have heard of a lot of these things before, but did not realize they were all attached to the Maori. Among the many creative entries in this contest, this one sticks out for all the supplementary information you provided. Thanks for the history lesson!

🦍

 Comment Written 22-Nov-2024

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reply by the author on 23-Nov-2024

Glad you found the topic interesting and took the time to check out the videos I provided.

I learned many facts I was not aware of too.

Thank you for the extra shiny star.