One of our wise Maori friends has been watching the Laws issue closely and he raises some points I think need airing.
I think Laws may not have had a very good interpretation of the letter. Yes, it seems very blunt. But, to a speaker of Maori it wouldn’t. He has reacted in his usual petulant way. Now that there has been a kick back he’s trying to sugar coat it. He has reinforced the perception that he can dish it out but he can’t take it – which is the worst form of cowardice.
The arguments about children’s anger are spurious. They are 10-12 year old children for goodness sake.
The arguments about them being put up by their teachers and that this is just another example of kids at kura being politicized is an attempt to move the goal posts.
He is supposed to be a leader – of both adults and children.
Perhaps he needs to be asked what he, as a leader of a community with a high Maori population, is doing about the issues he says the children should be turning their attention to. I don’t see anything, so is this a case of do as I say, not do as I do?
To the Tamariki of Te Kura Tuatahi O Otaki.
We am writing to you on behalf of all the good New Zealanders we know, who are dismayed and ashamed at Michael Laws response to your letter expressing concern about his position over the spelling of Whanganui.
Now, the issue for us is not about the spelling of the town, there are vigorous arguments on both sides.
No, we are ashamed that Laws has chosen to attack you rather than seeking to inform you of the reasons for his position. He has acted not like a Mayor but a petulant child.
We are so proud of you. Proud, that as young men and women you have the passion and the courage, the intellect and the skills to write to Mr Laws telling him how you feel in te Reo Māori.
We know that it is that sort of passion and the courage to stand up and say what you think is wrong that will make you leaders of tomorrow.
We know that you will be feeling angry at Mr Laws, but don’t.
You will meet many people like him in the course of your lives. They seek high office because they are fundamentally narcissistic. (There’s a word that is worthy of some study).
He cares not for people but just the sound and impact of his words. It is where he draws his strength and his income. He is like a shallow dirty little puddle.
You, however are the deep rivers of thought and power that will change our nation.
You are not and will never be like him. You are speaking from the heart. You have thought the issue through with your sharp young minds and wrote your feelings and argument well.
Stand tall and be proud, always question, never be afraid of the barbs of the sad and fatuous little men like Michael Laws. He is to be pitied. He is a failed politician of the past.
You are our future.
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