this post was submitted on 07 Oct 2023
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The Waitangi Tribunal makes recommendations that are not legally binding, remember? We are free to ignore them.
And, with the ever growing list of things that are allegedly Taonga that we should hand over control to, I think it's time we did just that.
Yes you are right, I didn't explain that point clearly. I meant laws are regularly based on Tribunal rulings. In this case, the legislation around co-governance references the tribunal ruling (or at least it was involved, I can't recall the exact wording off hand). In other words, the Tribunal gives the expert decision about some aspect of the Treaty. I'm willing to listen to them, since they are, y'know, the experts.
Why? Ignoring everything else entirely, what is your great fear that allowing mana whenua to have an advisory role in the water boards will result in? What do you think will happen?
Additionally:
You have exactly zero right to tell any Maori person what is and isn't Taonga. The Treat clearly states that Maori will retain rights to things they consider taonga. This absolutely hasn't happened.
Because, just like the supposed advisory role the Tribunal plays, they will be treated as gospel, and anyone who opposes their recommendations will be screamed down and branded a racist.
Besides, the idea that all water, everywhere, was sacred and therefore theirs to control is ridiculous.
Also, stop downvoting everyone who disagrees with you, you petulant child.
75% vote required to do anything my dude.
And what do you think they are going to do that you will oppose? You know co-governance already exists right? Waikato river is run by a co-governance situation (I'll confess I don't know the specifics) that was put in place under National. No problems, no-one trying to disagree with them and being labelled racist.
First, they won't control it. They will share equal responsibilities to advise the board that controls it. Second, why not? They were here first, worked the land, lived in the areas, relied on the water, etc. Just because "we" came along and said "this is ours now" doesn't mean it wasn't especially important to them. Again, it's not our place to dictate their culture.
Lol