Tahu Potiki s columns gave the impression of a compliant buffoon, who d occasionally leaven his plodding support for the moneyed end of town with a little antediluvian homespun philosophy. Here he is calling for the death of the elephant who accidentally killed her keeper. Fortunately more civilised heads prevailed, and she s currently able to spend her days in the company of her own kind.
Potiki s tame columns made him an ideal token Maori presence in the
Press s reactionary stable of opinion-smiths. Now that the big establishment money s jumped the First Four Ships for the Ngai Tahu whaka there s little point in even maintaining the pretence of a Maori voice.