Sharples Pita: General Debate 
Sharples Pita: General Debate 
[Volume:633;Page:4632] 
Dr PITA SHARPLES (Co-Leader—Maori Party) 
: 
Tena koe Mr Assistant Speaker. I want to talk about truth and reconciliation—moving forward as a nation. The establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa was one of the turning points in the history of the world. It was a turning point that sought to move a nation forward from the atrocities of the past and to achieve a future based on healing and reconciliation. At the forefront at that time was Archbishop Desmond Tutu a tireless anti-apartheid activist and the winner of the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. He spoke out in a way that I believe speaks to our nation at this time. He said: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” 
Removing the Treaty from legislation and deleting it from education are injustices that must not go unchallenged. The truth and reconciliation that our nation must confront are sourced in our history and in our future based in our past and given authority in our present. It is a history that must not be erased deleted or removed from the school books of our new curriculum from the statute book of this fine House or from the public record. It is a history that derives from the relationship given life to in Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Our history is a shared history—a history of Pakeha of tangata whenua and of nationhood that has been given its authority from the binding document of our constitution Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 
Last night I read an email from Maanu Paul the chairman of the New Zealand Maori Council which I want to share with the House. He wrote: “We need to tell our history. It is a history of passion commitment endeavour sacrifice and bravery … That is we have a sense of history founded in our island hopping journey across Te Moana Nui A Kiwa (the Pacific) adapting and adopting our architecture horticulture language art craft waiata pakiwaitara pepeha and our matauranga (knowledge). This makes us want to fight for our rights—our tikanga—our taonga and more importantly for the gains our forefathers fought for.” 
The mokopuna of Maanu and Gwenda Paul will also however benefit from the rich history of whakapapa that comes from the situation of intermarriage. The consequence of the marriage of a Maori man to a Pakeha woman is a demonstration of their unique and shared histories. In the relationship of those two individuals their children and grandchildren we can make sense of the place of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in their past their present and their future. 
Our history going forward lies in our shared humanity. In order to reconcile the past with our movement onwards we need to be in a position in which we can speak our truth share our stories and walk our talk. Reference to the principles of the Treaty in legislation enables us to apply the Treaty to present-day circumstances and issues. Recognising the significance of the Treaty in our curriculum provides our upcoming leaders with an understanding of how both parties can act reasonably honourably and in good faith. 
Last night I listened alertly to the member from Hamilton West talk with excitement about national identity defining it as being about the Defence Force the Territorials and belatedly a bit of arts and culture. Once again there was an omission by design: the silencing and rewriting of our cultural identity by the glaring failure to refer to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 
Someone who is neutral in situations of injustice has chosen the side of the oppressor. The Maori Party challenges all members of this House to remove the blinkers of injustice and to speak up about a history denied and a history deprived. Thank you.