1. Tena koe e Kara
How pleasing to note that the principle of 'Ngati Hine Pukepuke Rau' still has its practitioners and how
perspicacious is your analysis and reasoning, if as I discern, your interests are primarily those of
encouraging robust debate around the issue of informed consent, rather than outright disapproval.
I, like you, am not well informed, although I accept personal responsibility for that condition, living as I do
in Tamaki. However, I’m confident that as the iwi thing’ unfolds and either gains traction or is rejected,
better information will unfold. Meanwhile I am content to wait and see.
May I suggest that you continue to keep a ‘watching brief’ as this is good for everybody. In terms of the
substantive issues you raise, I personally am in favour of Ngati Hine gaining recognition in our own right
over this, a fundamental economic issue. I don’t consider our Ngapuhi whakapapa to be at risk because it is
culturally intrinsic. However, fisheries economics are absolutely fiscally extrinsic and need robust
management, governed close to home, in my humble opinion.
As an observation, you may want to reflect upon the success of the MAPO, given your own personal
contribution to that success. The MAPO is an extrinsic economic instrument of Maori development,
without traditional precedent. It works, because it is robustly managed and governed by people ‘close to
home’. Na reira, koutou e nga kai mahi, tena koutou.
Of course we need greater consultation and confidence in those acting on our behalf. I’m confident that this
will come, especially if we maintain the vigilance you are exhibiting.
Na reira e te whanaunga tena ano koe,
i raro i te maru Aroha me te mana o te Rungarawa.
Kia ora and kind regards
