By Political Editor Duncan Garner
One of the country's top Maori leaders says both the Government and Pakeha don't understand what 'mana' is and are confused over the term 'ownership', in the debate over asset sales and water.
Api Mahuika, the head of the powerful Ngati Porou tribe on the East Coast says it is about time the Government and Pakeha got their heads around what it means to be Maori and what it means to have Mana.
Mr Mahuika says for Maori, the idea of ownership is different to the Pakeha world - where you own it, have a title and it's yours.
He says rivers – or awa - should not become a commodity for a select few to enjoy a private gain.
“I think the Government and Maori need to look at the difference between ownership and Mana,” he says.
“Mana is about an inherited right and everything a Maori does is about Mana - Mana whenua, Mana moana - it determines and dictates how you behave with other people.
“It is how you see your physical [being] and your environment and how we determine those responsibilities,”
Mr Mahuika says the concept of ownership for Maori means protecting the assets for all and for future generations.
"We are more resistant to selling our assets, so it is not as easy a task for any Government to do that compared to the early 1800s and 1900s. We are mindful of our guardianship role so future generations are not put at a disadvantage,” he says.
His call for a debate about ownership follows Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples’ views that Pakeha and Maori have different views of the concept of 'ownership.'
Mr Mahuika stopped short of calling the Prime Minister "culturally ignorant" like Tainui's Tuku Morgan did earlier in the week.
3 News