I really wish someone had told the Tuhoe that the day the Labour lead government lead by Helen Clark, who gave sanction for the then over the top commando invasion of Ruatoki citizens, could hear nearly a decade later, about what an anthema to their way of life, the police actions were to this town and indeed these peoples.

How in the world did we end up thinking that the threat to democracy was being maligned by a bunch of activists who held to an ideaology that caused them to take up ‘training’ and debarking on a ‘military exercise ‘ for the purposes to impose their will upon the good folk of N.Z.

If there is anything to be said about apologising for wrong thinking , it would be that of the police commissioner at the time, the judicial governing bodies of Crown prosecutor, and the half baked idealism of policies that cover the tracks , and stupidity of Government offices that repeatedly use misimformation as a gage to reel in so called ‘dissendents’ of the democratic freedoms most N.Z.s’ take for granted.

History does repeat itself ad nauseum. Tuhoe have not been unscathed or removed from foriegn policies that have left them disempowered and disengaged in the making of a nation. Their rights and freedoms have been deliberately and unrelentedly threatened and denied.

When you enter the Tuhoe Nation you are reminded that they did not give up their rights and freedoms to live as their ancestors had guided and intrusted the generations after. They understand how to guard the land and protect it from invaders. They set about to form a community that worked on every level of their society, with Rua Kenana, who through his leadership, transformed the lives of his people, following and embodying biblical principals for producing a society that lived in peace and a totally self- sufficient prospering future for all. Using the best of Pakeha practices and Maori customs.

Pure fearmongering of the media and other avenues who use misimformation to feed the mythology of one land , one people, is part of the rhetoric that keeps us grounded in these epic saga’s of them and us mentalities.

An apology from Tame Iti, if required by his people, is not for the public arena. But the idea that he should apologise is naive. He represents Tuhoe legacy. At the heart of this man , is the idea that his people will be able to have the self rule that all nations take for granted , and that he will defend the sanctity of his tribe and their freedom to govern themselves without the interfernce or as little as possible government interference , as possible.

Tame Iti is a distinct folk hero to most New Zealanders. With his distinct distaste of N.Z. law and flamboyant activism, people have grown accustomed to his seemingly ourtageous actions and behaivours. He is a warrior in Tuhoe ways. But a terriost?

There are many forms of ‘terroism’ and the disenfranchisement of a people is definitly a form. Our laws should protect Tuhoe as much as anyone. Tame Iti did not choose the actions of the police (all 300 of them) to invade Ruatoki. Tame Iti served his time and was held accountable for his ‘crime’. The ‘way of life’ we enjoy in this country, is not for all and indeed is not the reality of many.

Rebekah Ririkopata

The late much lamented Parekura Horomia was reported to have told attending staff at a function “…never mind the …just get me the !@#$%#$ crayfish”. Dover Samuels urinated in a hotel corridor, Shane Jones – well, the list goes on.

Aaron Gilmore offends the blinkered PC media and pays a huge price. His so called “friend” in Christchurch is probably politically motivated too.

dreams and aspirations.