The desire to possess and exclude others is nowhere more apparent than when it comes to the possession of land. Wars have been fought over it, the concept of title embodies it. Trespass on my land and I’ll call the cops because protection our property and possessions is one of the reasons we pay them .
Government can see Ihumatao blowing up into a 21st century Bastion Point, and they know that if they handle this badly they’ll get scorched at next year’s election, so they’re saying all the right things … while still doing all the shady deals.
More than 4000 years ago somewhere in the Middle East, perhaps Iraq, perhaps Egypt, some genius invented the pin lock. (pictured)
The problem bigger than no electoral coalition partners and a lacklustre Leader with all the charisma of a pedestrian accident is the policy blackhole.
The elevation of Boris de buffoon to the Prime Ministership of the United Kingdom was not a surprise, but nevertheless is pretty hard to swallow. I was on a conference call with people from both the affected countries the other day, both begging me to lend them Jacinda to sort out their problems. And I must say that I would rather be us than them.
This is the time to straighten our backs, dig our boots into the soil and remain steadfast.
There was something almost smug in the Prime Minister’s voice when she was asked if the government would intervene at Ihumatao. Oh no, she said – that’s an iwi dispute – nothing to do with the government – whew!
This is a gutsy move by Jacinda and has given her the mana to lead and propose a solution.
IHUMATAO is not about the law. The law is what makes the Ihumatao protest necessary. Ihumatao is not about colonisation. Ihumatao is colonisation in action.
Don’t be scared. Our kaumatua and kuia will forever hold a special place in our hearts for their connection to the world of our tupuna. But the people we follow into battle will be those with the courage, the smarts, the passion and the determination to win back our rights and our lands.