UNION DUES

So the EPMU wants the government to stump up with some funds to pay for any legal bills they might incur around Pike River legal action.

Union Boss and Labour Party boss Andrew Little did the begging bowl trick but it didnt wash with the government.

Chris Finlayson put it very well

"The EPMU is a professional membership advocacy organisation. It receives revenue from its members specifically to provide its purpose of advocacy. There is no extra burden on the EPMU created by doing its job for its members."

What we want to know is what does the Union do with all its dues? How much does it have in the kitty? How much does it own? How good a service does it provide for its members?

Little seems to have the ingrained sense of entitlement that will mean he will be a perfect Labour Party MP.

UPDATE (sigh ) the oracle has the answers - our favorite uber political geek KiwiBlog says the EPMU pulls in around $12 mill a year and has$13 mil in assets

CILLA MCQUEEN OUR WEAVER OF WORDS

We are delighted that Cilla McQueen has won one of the country's top literary awards. In fact she is already a well recognised and much lauded poet. She is an intensely private woman who has spent the last 20 odd years in Bluff.

FOVEAUX EXPRESS
Diesel sounds aromatic
magenta, oxblood,
mineral smooth
any how as boronia

swivel that levers
a shoepolish lid,
key curls oily metal.
Poetry takes you apart,

puts you back different
as this day's passage
on shapeshifting water,
one to another island

swift as the stroke
of a pen the toothed strait
on the whale's path
chewed through, islets

scattered between,
text in motion
gimballed on muscling
swells, word-ware, cargo.

Bluff, April 2006
  

Awarua

One heron west from wary
shelter safe another sun turn
flower reed or home by other

sense to misty near beyond
his graveyard dreams I pass
between and harbours

double fill to shape were I
so shovelling petal hope to lock
our question in the former language. 

She is a national treasure .

DEREK FOX IN PRINT

Maori commentator and publisher Derek Fox has a new column in the Cook Islands but it deserves another airing.

We don't agree with everything he says - ( that often makes having a drink with him a stimulating and interesting occasion) but his thoughts need a wider audience.

Here is the Cook Island column in full .

Still looking for justice

Last week I foreshadowed that I might this week talk about the Foreshore and Seabed debate here in Aotearoa. I indicated that while what MPs used their ministerial credit cards for was gaining all the headlines, the big story of the week should really have been the foreshore and seabed – and I still believe that.

It’s important for a number of reasons. Firstly it is/was a pivotal issue and cornerstone of the support agreement between National and the Maori Party; and secondly it’s one of those flax root debates between Maori and Pakeha which we need to get right – and so far we haven’t – if there is to be a peaceful path forward in this country.

It’s also important because we are at the halfway stage in the political game we call this parliamentary term, and the Maori Party doesn’t have too many meaningful points on the board as we head down now to the next general election.

The foreshore and seabed debate is about property and legal rights – something you’d think the National Party would be solid on. It’s not about access to the country’s beaches - that right – within reason – is beyond doubt.

But National is no keener than Labour to see Maori retain any of their traditional and customary rights developed over the centuries we occupied these islands prior to the arrival of the Pakeha. And that tells me this is a Maori Pakeha issue not one about law and justice and people’s inherent rights. Labour even took away the right of Maori to go to court to see if we had a right – National will restore that but will so tightly prescribe how that right may be determined that it will all but be negated.

So the foreshore and seabed that my tipuna held sway over as a result of hundreds of years of co-existence with our iwi neighbours, will be taken away by the government. On the other hand 12 and a half thousand separate parcels of foreshore and seabed – overwhelmingly held by Pakeha - which have somehow passed into ‘freehold’ title -will be sacrosanct. You won’t be able to go to those beaches and have a swim or a barbie, certainly not without permission and maybe a fee?

So once again it is Maori who have their rights legislated away.

Labour and now National both claim that one of their reasons for moving in this way is to ‘protect’ the foreshore and seabed from sale – nothing would give it greater protection that customary title - after all it’s endured for a thousand years until now.

Another looming punch-up in this process is the hoops that Maori will have to jump through to establish their limited customary right. They will be required to show ‘exclusive and continuous use and occupation’ of their foreshore and seabed rohe. If the land has been subdivided that test will fall down. But what if the only reason that hasn’t occurred is because a previous pakeha government stole the land or it was acquired by some other Treaty breach?

John Key last week joined Helen Clark in showing that he too is not able to treat fairly and justly and in good faith with Maori, the pull of his blood and the baying of his supporters is too strong.

While Fox has some harsh words for the government we think that after listening to Chris Finlayson this morning on Q and A , we are more confident that the agreement provides a good framework to allow Maori to exercise their customary rights.

We, in particular, are expecting Ngai Tahu to lodge a claim get title for the former crown muttonbird (titi) islands which are now under the guardinaship of a Trust. And the beneficial owners of the other titi ( privately owned ) islands will also be able to make a claim for theirs.

There is also a fair bet that the Waitutu and Rakiura Maori Lands Trusts will also be taking a close look at the new rules as there will be some expectation they will have a good claim as well.

Interesting times ahead.

A GREAT DAY....

Finally we have a Prime Minister who can lead a government made up of different parties to find solutions to the most vexing of issues.

The Foreshore and Seabed Act had the potential to divide our nation. It laid waste to decades of Maori support for Labour. It gave birth to the Maori Party.

Key and Finlayson, by working with Maori have devised a plan that meets the aims of all parties and will bring our nation together. It will also cement Maori support for the National Government for some time to come.

Its restores the path for Maori to seek a customary right to land for which they believe they have a legitimate claim , it restores Mana and it protects public access.

We all gasped when we heard the silly demands of Ngai Tahu's Mark Solomon - a few days later we breathed again when it heard the quiet and calm voice of unification and reason of Api Mahuika- a true Ariki.

So now we have an historic deal that unites - born out of a blend of vision and pragmatism that Key , Finlayson and a core of Maori leaders should be proud of.

SHAKING THE TREE

We have only been back from the Titi Islands for a week. And we have had quite a bit of traffic.  The Mistressology saga  has proved very popular.


However it is this post that has caused the most angst in a couple of circles. It was on the button. People got very, very angry about it. Some were gobsmacked that we had the good oil on the fact that a couple of tribes had managed to derail a deal which would have seen the end of the Foreshore and Seabed Act.

We will keep you posted. 

KEY NOT COY WITH TUHOE

Thank goodness. We were a bit nonplussed when watching Tv3 one night about a month ago, when  Patrick Gower speculated on the government giving Tuhoe  the Urewera National Park  lock stock and punga trees but allowing public access.


Today John Key took the unusual step of making sure that Tuhoe was clear on the matter and that the rest of New Zealand was clear on the matter.


We are glad about that. It was shaping up to be a bloody big mess.

We also think that there is a real need for some  more clarity around some of the Foreshore and Seabed issues as well. 

Now if only we could get some more sanity around the ETS....... 

PADDY NEEDS A WACK

We watched Patrick Gower's shift from the Herald to TV3 with interest. He has some talent but  on the face of it  his latest story about Tuhoe stepping up to get "total " control of the Ureweras as part of a treaty settlement is a beat up. A really big beat up - the sort that fuels redneck racism. 
So why do we think its a beat up  - well because the Treaty Minister the gracious Chris Finlayson says so. We are very glad he did. It would be an outrage if the Government was going to give away a big corner of the country lock stock and punga trees   to one group of families as their exclusive fiefdom  because that's essentially what the story meant.

Hon Christopher Finlayson Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
19 April 2010	Media Statement

Statement on Treaty negotiations with Ngai Tuhoe

At no point in the negotiations have Ngai Tuhoe asked for any form of separatism from New Zealand or an independent Tuhoe state.  Those issues are simply not part of any negotiation the Crown is undertaking.  The Crown has not, and will not, make any offer to Ngai Tuhoe that includes such forms of redress.  Any claims by TV3 or other media organisations are simply untrue.

The Crown and Ngai Tuhoe have been engaged in negotiations for nearly two years.  The negotiations raise a number of complex issues which both parties are working through in a constructive manner and we hope to see progress in the near future.

Ngai Tuhoe have discussed the importance of Te Uruwera and the Crown is currently exploring with them what form any redress might take.  The Crown has made clear its position that any settlement must recognise the rights of all New Zealanders, including public access and conservation values.

So there we have it... Its not a runner...  However we reckon up in the mists of the Ureweras there will be a little band of Tuhoe who think that its all true and even if it never comes to pass, its the way they will see things anyway and if white people venture too far up that a -ways well they just might not come back.....They are the silly buggers Gower probably had a yarn to. 

So Patrick - you owe us a beer for scaring us and the rest of TV3 watchers unnecessarily....

THE NOT SO FRIENDLY FACE OF PRIVATELY OWNED FORESHORE

We did a bit of a tiki tour on Saturday to a place called Flatpoint in the Wairarapa It's a stark barren stretch of coast . Flatpoint is a collection of  a hotch potch of both old style bachs and beach mansions. A smallish round house with uninterrupted views to the sea across the little 9 hole golf links is up for grabs - offers over $600k.  A vineyard with an average home and 3 ha is up for grabs at a $1 million.
Its an area known for crayfish and paua in abundance.

But what makes Flatpoint interesting is that the foreshore  - thats the beach , is privately owned and access is apparently jealously guarded as is a considerable stretch of the Wairarapa coast. In fact the discussion document on the Foreshore and Seabed Act makes special mention that these areas will not be part of any changes to the Foresohore and Seabed legislation.

There is essentially only one road into the area which stretches from Flatpoint to Glenburn. Sections with beach views are for sale and they have " exclusive access " to the beach to launch a boat " as part of the title. So sections do not own the access - they just appear to have " exclusive access" across the landowners land - in essence there is no Queens Chain.

It was not a welcoming place. Simply because the access to the beach is not allowed  and everywhere there were " Private Property" Private access only signs.  DOC had two access points and again it was made patently clear that part of that access was across private land. In one track it was made clear that the track did not provide access to the beach -essentially the very very long coastline is privately owned  - lock stock and sifting sand.

Each Section sale includes the following:

• a right of way secured to title in favour of the purchaser to enable permanent private access to boat launching to the Lot owner and his immediate family and guests, up to ten persons at a passing.
• a 1/39th share in the community controlling body as required by Resource Consent Condition(Flat Point Beach Ltd). This body will be responsible for Environmental monitoring and transfer of solid waste to landfill. This body is also required to draw new owners attention to the Environmental Care Code and to make its records available to Council annually.
• a 1/39th share in Lots 40 & 41(plantation reserve) and Lots 43 & 44(pedestrian walkways).

However we found a track to the beach via a river bed and we toddled down to the ice water just to say that we had dipped our toe in the ocean.  
It was an unsettling place simply because it does not feel like the rest of coastal New Zealand. It is not the way we want to see the rest of New Zealand's coast line managed. For some reason we cant quite fathom it actually made us profoundly sad.
We cant remember another place where we have essentially been locked out of a coastline.

We noticed that the access roads  which interestingly are public to a point are obviously maintained by the taxpayer and we would be interested in seeing who paid for both the power and telephone lines as well.

We are keen to see the foreshore and seabed issue sorted out to everyones advantage - we dont really care if there is a title that denotes ownership. However that ownership should be required to ensure public access. We do not want to see more examples of Flatpoint anywhere ever.

SUPREME JUSTICE

Finally we may see an end to a very interesting saga.
It started here a long long time ago and has links to the infamous scampi scandal.
Phil Kitchin explored some of the issues. ( by the way - where is the bugger-?)

Even then we could see that this story, despite being extremely complicated, had legs. Today NBR in its subscriber only edition suggests that Justice Wilson is in a fairly untenable position after it was considered that his undisclosed business dealings could have led to bias in a particular case. At first the Supreme Court chucked it out then recalled its decision essentially on the basis that in light of new info they considered there was a case.
According to the NBR Attorney Gen Chris Finlayson is expected to make a statement tomorrow (Wednesday)

And well done Jock.

TINOPAI!

At last we have some direction over the the Foreshore and Seabed Act.

Today we have a Parliament that sees Maori walk the corridors of power with National and now we have a report which clearly shows the dissatisfaction with this odious piece of legislation. It is a report that lays out the issues clearly and calls for the Act to be biffed.

We are in a prime position for the development of a solution that should unify this country and heal some deep deep wounds.

Well done guys - well done.

GOOD NEWS - GOVT TO BIFF COPYRIGHT LAW

Tom Puller- Stricker from the Dom Post knows his stuff so we reckon he will be on the button - and he is saying Section 92 the odious copyright act is gonna be scrapped -

COOOOL .

LABOUR - WILL THEY BORE US TO DEATH FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS?

Lamb Cut found Labour party prez Andrew Little a bit on the dull side at the Press Club today - sounds like he has had a charisma bypass. Funny isn't it how all the new unionists are so bloody earnest these days. We remember the days of Roger Middlemass for the Meatworkers, Ray Bianci - Boiler makers, Calvin fisher, Almalgamated workers, Angela Faulkes .
They hogged the headlines, railed against the employers , drank like fish, shagged like rabbits, had fun were loud and always had a pithy comment. For journalists looking for a front page lead you only had to ring them, needle them and you had a mind sticking headline.

They are still around but they have none of the fire and brimstone of the old days. And watching the House in action today we were struck with how boring and tired Labour looked as well.

Key roared and rumbled as did English - even the gentlemanly Chris Finlayson was steely but Labour looked - well boring as boring things.

Stevie Chadwick tried very hard to look pissed off and Darrin ( my uncle is Davey ) Hughes just seemed startled and it was clear he didn't believe Goff as he stammered through a justification for keeping secret the steaming pile of fiscal faeces that is ACC.

Goff looks as out of place as Lisa Lewis in a nunnery.

They have no answers, they look listless and we know at least four are looking for jobs. It is hard to watch them and not laugh out loud as they squirm.

YAY!!! WE WON!

We are back to cheerleading for National - the silly copyright law is being delayed . Well done Minister Finlayson! Well done us.....

FUCKWITTED LAW

Today we join the blackout. sorry folks but the silly silly law means that you are guilty on being accused of breaching copyright. We like Home paddock are known to be cheerleaders for the Nats but this one has got us stumped. And she has a few words to say to the country's leaders. We have not seen any coherent response from them on this issue either. Its the only wrong step we have seen them make. That makes us grumpy. So today we will post nothing. See u Tuesday.

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