Mana News editor Joe Trinder

I wrote to Colin Craig the former leader of the conservative  party

The Treaty of Waitangi is our countries founding national document it is not going anywhere and it is up to the descendants of the signatories if it will become a simple nullity as has been treated for the last 170 years. You want to abolish redress from the Waitangi tribunal but this will just resume once you are in opposition and instead of offering 2% value Iwi will be offered 20% of what was promised would be undisturbed estates in the Treaty. Another reason is conservative party is temporary and will probably die off one day as will all political parties but the Treaty of Waitangi will remain constant why delay the inevitable.

I received a response from Mr Craig.

Colin Craig: This “question” is not really a question at all and typical of many who engage in this debate. Perhaps you need to listen/read and understand before sending me a “question”. Kia ora Colin I have read the Treaty of Waitangi have you?

Colin Craig: We are very clear in our policy that the treaty matters, and that where land has been confiscated illegally, redress is appropriate. Then why would you demand government abolish redress from the Waitangi tribunal?

Colin Craig: We are committed to one sovereign government by the people, protection of property, and equal rights and responsibilities for all New Zealanders. This sir is what the treaty agreed.  No it didn’t Colin it clearly states “to the respective families and individuals thereof the full exclusive and undisturbed possession of their Lands and Estates Forests Fisheries and other properties”

Colin Craig: Yes we are here to stay and will continue to stand up for the majority wish of New Zealanders on this and other issues. So you want to enforce the tyranny of  the majority over an indigenous ethnic minority?

Colin Craig: The day the people have a binding vote by referendum in this country will be a great day. No, we will not reject the treaty, but we will reject division and race based agenda’s. Referendums of millions of people overriding the descendants of the signatories whose interests the Treaty was designed to protect is dishonouring the Treaty of Waitangi in full.

Colin Craig: I trust you can hear me clearly on this now. The conservative party is temporary and we hear you creative Colin.

Colin