An interesting parallel debate happening across the ditch, in the Victoria rock climbing community around the access restrictions being applied at Mt Arapiles (Dyurrite) and before that the Grampians range (Gariwerd). Claims by some "we are all Australians and equal and why do Traditional Owner cultural claims take precedence over the "right " to climb", sound similar to the claims here of "one person, one vote" etc which are superficially appealing but on deeper examination come up against Te Tiriti as a contract, and our history of dislocation, land confiscation and 180 years of inequality of opportunity.
In the Victorian situation, the water has been muddied by Cultural Heritage legislation which doesn't require (but doesn't preclude) the adminstrator Parks Victoria from engaging with other parties such as the local community and user groups. For reasons best known to themselves they haven't engaged. The result is a predictable fire storm of half truths and hard positions. Engagement and being open to talking across the aisle is so important, for learning new truths, new perspectives and finding common ground.
Allan, I like your optimistic lens on the current debate. The scale of the Hikoi is surely sobering for the politicians. But the real willingness to engage and learn is made hard in our clickbait media environment and with NZ'ers limited understanding of our own history. Plus NZ's unicameral system of government makes it so easy for a determined government, of whatever shade, to cut out public debate. I'm less optimistic than you but ever hopeful..
An interesting parallel debate happening across the ditch, in the Victoria rock climbing community around the access restrictions being applied at Mt Arapiles (Dyurrite) and before that the Grampians range (Gariwerd). Claims by some "we are all Australians and equal and why do Traditional Owner cultural claims take precedence over the "right " to climb", sound similar to the claims here of "one person, one vote" etc which are superficially appealing but on deeper examination come up against Te Tiriti as a contract, and our history of dislocation, land confiscation and 180 years of inequality of opportunity.
In the Victorian situation, the water has been muddied by Cultural Heritage legislation which doesn't require (but doesn't preclude) the adminstrator Parks Victoria from engaging with other parties such as the local community and user groups. For reasons best known to themselves they haven't engaged. The result is a predictable fire storm of half truths and hard positions. Engagement and being open to talking across the aisle is so important, for learning new truths, new perspectives and finding common ground.
Allan, I like your optimistic lens on the current debate. The scale of the Hikoi is surely sobering for the politicians. But the real willingness to engage and learn is made hard in our clickbait media environment and with NZ'ers limited understanding of our own history. Plus NZ's unicameral system of government makes it so easy for a determined government, of whatever shade, to cut out public debate. I'm less optimistic than you but ever hopeful..
Really enjoyed reading your post. I read it as if we were in conversation. Had a vernacular feel through the machine.
Looking forward to your next post and another chat. I am thinking about examples here in Mi'kma'ki.