Felix Desmarais/Stuff
Those people who have no interest in religion and no understanding of Māori are usually polite enough and intelligent enough to observe civilised protocol to go along with the process, writes Tom O’Connor
In spite of more than 200 years of European settlement of, and presence in, New Zealand can we still hear the faint echoes of the clash of cultures or have we become a little too sensitive about our differences?
The use of te reo Māori by Opotiki District councillor Louis Rapihana at the opening of a local in Whakatane Grey Power meeting brought a surprising suggestion that he had insulted those who did not understand what had been said. If anyone has been insulted he has and he has responded with a decision to take the matter to the Race Relations Commissioner. His annoyance is understandable but have both sides overreacted?