Issue 67 - editorial

The World is Watching.

Tena ano tatou

As this issue goes to press one of the most important visitors to come to this country, from a Maori point of view, is moving amongst us.

His name is Rodolfo Stavenhagen and he is a Special Rapporteur for the United Nations. His job is to report on the state of indigenous peoples around the world, and he does this by visiting two or three countries a year. On those visits he meets the tangata whenua and the government; and from discussions and examining government policies as well as his own observations, he prepares a report to the United Nations about the status, plight or condition of those indigenous peoples.

Some of those discussions will involve Maori complaints about the Foreshore and Seabed legislation, but his examination will go much further than that. He’ll be looking at our economic state, how we’re treated from a legal point of view and no doubt our health, education, level of imprisonment and other matters will come into it too.

Having met Rodolfo I can report that he is an alert, urbane, cultured 70 year-old. He was born in Germany but has been a refugee who’s had to change countries a couple of times and is a Mexican citizen. He’s based at the UN in Geneva. He seems like a pretty good bloke.

I have heard some of our journalists and commentators, and politicians too, ridiculing this visit. And resenting it; suggesting that the UN has no business investigating our affairs.

Well the news for them is bad. The plight of indigenous peoples around the world is the world’s business, and should we receive a bad report the world will think badly of us.

It will be several months before we’ll see Rodolfo’s report.

But enough of the heavy stuff, as you read this issue most of you will be on holiday, maybe at the beach and contemplating some kai moana. So will we.

This issue is filled with fun, food, music, sport and some giveaways. We have stories and recipes from some of our Maori personalities.

We also have a feature story with one of the world’s few ocean - going waka captains.

Enjoy your holidays. Enjoy your whanau and friends. Keep an eye out for people who might be alone and could do with a bit of company. But most of all stay safe and keep your whanau safe too.

Have a Mana Christmas.

Editor