Waitangi marae shames NZ

Yet again certain Maori elements show themselves singularly bereft of any common sense.

Apparently media are being asked to pay a fee in order to be able to cover events on the Te Tii Marae at Waitangi.

Yes, our so called National Day has media being asked for a fee in order to cover the proceedings where our Prime Minister is speaking.

These stupid and rude people apparently warned Fairfax Media :-

that if it entered the grounds without paying the fee its cameras would be confiscated by Maori wardens.

This is totally outrageous. We should not have to put up with this rubbish and claptrap.

NZPA chief executive Tim Pankhurst said the demand for a fee came close to extortion.

“Its not acceptable. This is an important national public event.”

“We understand the notion of koha but there then needs to be a debate on that, and news organisations contacted beforehand, rather than reporters being buttonholed and threatened on the day.

“They are reporting the prime minister on the eve of the day that we celebrate the founding of our country and national reconciliation. I think they should consider the context.

“There are plenty of other examples where the media go onto private property to report events where there is no question of them paying for that. Access for the media as the representatives of the public is a very important principle.”

Why do New Zealanders put up with this rubbish.

Waitangi Day should not be our National Day, it is no more than ethnic division and insult day.

We need a real National Day which resonates with all New Zealanders, not one where a clique of wingnuts strut their egos to the detriment of the nation.

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