Young Maoris Protest Against Racism

The size of the demonstration at Parliament on Monday wasn't large, but the spirit behind it was strong. About 30 or 40 young Maoris and a few Pakeha supporters gathered in the cold and occasional rain to protest about Muldoon's recent outbursts on the subject of race.

"A delegation of three was allowed into Parliament to see the Minister of Maori Affairs, Matiu Rata. He told them he agreed with their protest, and said he would come out later to talk to the other demonstrators. However, he was too busy, and his off-sider Pat Hohepa came out instead.

The demonstrators were drawn from various groups ('gangs' as the right-wing call them) and from Nga Tamatoa. They were supported by members of a recently organised youth group called Kia Ngawari.

A press statement from the Kia Ngawari group read; "To members of Parliament and the New Zealand public:

"We have no hesitation in supporting this protest. We don't see why there should be two laws for two different races. In our opinion Muldoon's statement supports racialism. It is our strong belief that there should be only one law for all New Zealanders. We also believe that Mr Muldoon, the former Finance Minister for the previous government, should stick to financial matters and not shit-stir and single out a certain group of people to pick on.

"When the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, Queen Victoria said; "Treat my Maori people as you would my own" — to our way of thinking, the statement made by Muldoon can only do harm and cause friction amongst all races.

"How can we, the young Maori people of New Zealand, put our trust in a man who from his statement seems to us a bigot, a blowheart, and a shit-stirrer. It is our belief that Muldoon in making that statement is out to win votes for the next election. We who are on this protest will not support and put our trust in Muldoon.

"Tama tu, tama ora: tama noho, tama mate."

Another statement handed out amplified the views of Kia Ngawari:

"The Maori and Pakeha people present at this demonstration are reacting to comments made in the press by Mr Muldoon and others of his National Party concerning the Maori and Polynesian people of New Zealand.

"We feel that the National Party behind Mr Muldoon and Mr Marshall have shown intolerance and lack of understanding towards Maoris and Polynesians.

"If implemented, Mr Muldoon's statements in his book concerning sending Maori and Polynesian offenders home could only be likened to South Africans Group Area Act 1950 which limits black people to "reservations".

"In the past he has said that leaching Japanese is more important than teaching Maori in schools. If Mr Muldoon really wanted an integrated society he would let Pakehas learn Maori, and so understand us, as we for successive years have had to learn English.

"We say we do not want to become assimilated as brown Pakehas but to live in a truly integrated society — understanding each other.

"Mr McCready, National's spokesman on Maori Affairs said: "to be Maori all you need to do is ride past a marae on a push bike". This shows the lack of understanding and unawareness of Maori needs and views.

"We are not asking for handouts but recognition to do our thing as Maoris. We feel a Pakeha cannot represent the Maori people and we put all our faith in the present Maori leadership in Government.

"We also call upon New Zealanders to hear the words of the National Party and think twice before casting votes in the next election."

A spokesman for the Kia Ngawari Youth Club said the club had been formed out of the need to give young people some meaningful activity. Some of them have been wandering the streets, sleeping at the Railway Station, and often they had nothing to do with their time. "They've all been hassled by the police," she said.

The words 'Kia Ngawari' meant humbleness and togetherness. The group would be independent of any church group, but would work in closely with Nga Tamatoa: "We're out to help young people."

One of the youths demonstrating, a member of the Mongrels, was hopeful that a group like Kia Ngawari would work. A large number of the people at the demonstration had been beaten up by the police, he said. He wanted older people to know that the media painted a picture of young Maoris which wasn't true. They weren't out to scrounge or to beat people up. They wanted to do political and cultural work for their people. "What right has Muldoon got to demand the upheaval of Maoris and Polynesians?" he asked. "Muldoon's got the law to back him up — what have we got?"