United Future
Marc Alexander

Speech during general debate in Parliament

The one thing that seems to be missing is a bit of constructive bringing together of both sides of the House to try to find an actual solution. Everybody is eager to point fingers at everybody else, but nobody wants to sit down and figure out how to proceed on the foreshore and seabed debate. It is an issue that is dividing this country like no other in the recent past. It is something that pits one New Zealander against another, and I think a lot of it is totally and utterly unnecessary. At the end of the day we have to put ourselves forth as New Zealanders first.

In America, for example, people think of themselves as being Irish American, Dutch American, or whatever it might be. New Zealand has to move in that direction. New Zealanders need to be proud of their heritage, and not lose the culture that shapes them. We need that—it is part of the cultural atmosphere of what New Zealand really is, but we also need to promote a sense of identity and nationhood. The fact that we are New Zealanders ought to be the primary focus, not the fact that we have one colour of skin or another. We should not instil a sense of prejudice in this country by passing legislation that pits one New Zealander against another. To have a group of individuals go from this country—Mâori and non-Mâori alike—and spill blood in its defence, and then come back and have this kind of warring on both sides of the House is utterly crazy and disruptive.

I heard the words of John Tamihere earlier, and I agree with him. No Prime Minister should be at the mercy of a situation like the hîkoi outside. At the same time, the Prime Minister of this country ought to at least invite some of the leaders of that hîkoi up to her office and sit down and have a dialogue that is constructive—one that recognises their right to voice their concerns, whether or not she agrees with them.

What we have had in the past is both Labour and National fighting against each other over this very issue. The speech at Orewa has certainly highlighted a number of things, and the first one is this: New Zealanders are sick and tired of being pitted against each other simply on the basis of race. There is only one race and that is the human kind, and we have to put aside all other divisions and see our common humanity and common goals for the future of this country.

I think that National is trying to exploit a problem that is happening under the administration of Labour. Let it not be misunderstood—had this issue come up under a National administration, it would be facing exactly the same kinds of problems that Labour is now facing. Rather than poke a finger in Labour’s eye, National should be prepared to sit down with Labour and be constructive. The reason for that is pure and simple: what we do not need is a solution pushed by Labour that will then be rescinded by the next National Government. We need resilience in how we decide this issue should be faced.

The point is that National must be forthcoming with its solutions and not just point out a hierarchy of problems. The responsible thing to do would be to let Labour and National sit down together and fix this problem. If we were at war with another country, there would be a great deal of unanimity across this House as to what we should do. This is no different. This is a war within our country. It is a war between the different factions of our people. We cannot allow this division to take over and strangle the sense of community and brotherhood that has been a hallmark of this nation. To pit Mâori against non-Mâori is an absolute disgrace.

What I want to see from both National and Labour is them taking the opportunity to sit down and advance solutions that the minor parties can come in behind and support, help, and craft along with them. Legislation of this sort should not be done by one of the larger parties in conjunction with only one of the smaller parties. That will not result in stability or resilience. We need both sides to put their heads together and be constructive.