At 56 when he takes over from Sir Anand Satyanand, Lt Gen Mateparae is certainly the youngest governor-general in a long while and this could help him connect with young people – he himself has five children the two youngest still at school and home. His record is impeccable. He does not seem to have been out of step with the powers that be in the army since he joined nearly 40 years ago.

Apart from my concern over the fact that the appointment was made by a prime minister whose government has just rammed through legislation preventing Maori from seeking claim to the foreshore and seabed, I have another niggle. Forgive me if this seems a trifle churlish but I can’t find any reference, on the internet at least, to Jerry Mateparae’s whakapapa except for a hint in the biographical notes which say that he comes from Whanganui.

Now given that the British colonial government consistently disenfranchised Maori to the point of near extinction by 1900 – making it illegal to own land in common, suppressing the practice of an important figure in Maori health, the tohunga, and punishing children for speaking te reo at school to name a few repressive devices – it seems to me a bit rich to appoint a Maori to represent the queen, particularly one who clearly fails to identify his whakapapa. Could this be a serve for Maori who are grounded in their cultural heritage and who do speak as tangata whenua?

Seriously his symbolic value could be the most powerful aspect. This position is a key one (Representative of the Queen)  and becomes more important as NZ edges towards becoming a republic. Maori in general oppose this trend because the link to the Crown as a treaty partner is a taonga. A successful Maori Governor-General would pave the way to a truly mandated non-political leader of this country.

His common sense leadership will encourage Maori to follow their elected political leaders, and not the radical element who support a separatist kawanatanga. This appointment indirectly honours the Maori battalion and those Maori who at present find mana and careers in the armed forces.

This appointment moves NZ away from its colonial past, and its mono-cultural mindset. We all stand to gain if Jerry Mataparae is a great success.

While I do not condone what these people have done I also wish to avoid demonizing them. These objects of derision are real people, people like you and me; people who have partners, children, parents, and friends. I am distressed by the way they have been humiliated. Although victims of their own stupidity they do not deserve to be put on public display and bullied, prodded and poked until they submit.

I used to think public figure must have exceptionally thick skins… and I still suspect some of them do. But I have seen and heard enough about the private anguish of some of our public figures to know that many experience deep anguish. David Lange, for example, said that at one stage he was afraid to walk down the road for fear of being abused.

OK what they did was wrong, but it was hardly a hanging offence. Let’s forgive them and show them a little humanity. These men and women are my brothers and sisters

Let’s show a little human decency

Being named the world’s most peaceful nation is a special opportunity for me to pause and reflect. And to savour, celebrate and give thanks for this special peace that covers our beautiful land.

In November 2009, we were also ranked the world’s least corrupt nation¹. Both these plaudits come at the expense of Scandinavian countries, which for many years have been models of social harmony, but have recently been affected by the financial crisis and its consequences for all.

We have since learnt how this global crisis was caused by the greed of a few with disproportionate power and access, enabled by the flaws in our existing structures. While many Kiwis have felt some of the effects, we’re blessed to have been spared the worst.

At a homily given in Christchurch in November 1986, Pope John Paul II said that “Peace in the world can never be won so long as injustice controls the relationships among people and social and economic imbalances are allowed to continue”. As I reflect, I feel that acknowledging the relative justice and fairness of our society – and seeking to protect and build on our achievements – are precious keys to our peace.

I acknowledge we have wounds, yet to be healed. I pray that as we work toward healing, we continue to show the respect for each other’s dignity, that has earned us our peace, and enabled our mahi in bringing peace elsewhere in our world. I am reminded of the image given to us by the NZ Bishops, of Te Kahu-o-te-ora²; the sacred cloak of integrity and wholeness that embraces all aspects of human life. Strengthen and perfect our peace, Lord – our kahu – and as it preserves and protects us, may it flow out, bringing others into its embrace.

The article partly attributes our ranking to our government. I pray for wisdom for our leaders, that they may continue to keep us a fair, just and united country that seeks social justice and the common good.

¹ http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5AH0HA20091118

² http://catholic.org.nz/statements/9704_consistent.php

The Global Peace Index criteria with well-functioning government and sound business environment at the top gives some insight into the hallmarks of ‘peacefulness’. Respectful of human rights and tolerance and good relations with the neighbours are third and fourth. The criteria also include high levels of freedom of information and the acceptance of others.

From an international perspective, New Zealand does have relatively stable and well-functioning government and its business environment is largely sound. The country has good relations with its neighbours which are also Pacific islands (so the borders are all water) and tolerance of difference may well relate to New Zealand’s relative emptiness – its citizens are not forced usually to live cheek-by-jowl with their neighbours.

But in terms of social justice, a closer look at the country’s chance of maintaining its ‘peacefulness’ is required. This means taking into account the reversed promise to return land to Tuhoi, or the wrangle over the foreshore and seabed. There is no account of the inequity in the government’s latest budget which many commentators say will boost the gap between rich and poor. Disproportionate representation by Maori in the health and justice systems continues to boost inequality and life expectancy is still lower for Maori.

All of this is manifest in high levels of domestic violence which could well blow New Zealand’s peacefulness out of the water.

That Mr. Harawira was later unrepentant, after knowing that many thought his decision unfair, may be put down to stubbornness, again something that many of us are prone to – not just those who seek positions of leadership, authority, power…

Our elected leaders, people with power, are not immune from making errors of judgment, nor from being stubborn, like us. However, we can and we must, hold them to higher standard at times. I feel now is one of those times.

Power, coupled with hatred, is a dangerous thing in any person.

When do people show true emotion? In the limelight, when forced? Or in private, in conversations we think will not come to light?

If a person with power, elected to a leadership position, is willing to voice words of action, or re-action, which openly show hatred; it is a divisive and dangerous thing, which should be very seriously pointed out, examined and addressed. But how do we do this in a way that positively engages and attempts to reduce these feelings, instead of exacerbating them?

We can only hope that reactions like this fade away in our collective memories…

…but perhaps not before they also provoke us into a deeper examination of our own hearts. Can they remind us to hold ourselves to higher standards too? To be conscious of the feelings and words we dare not express in public spheres, but may voice with friends, in conversation, in email, in jokes…

Many who have suffered generations of injustice respond everyday in ways which show great mana: integrity, strength, grace, tolerance, resilience, pride. Without needing violence of deed, or word, they powerfully remind our hearts of the distance we are yet to travel toward reconciliation.

Only their acts can provide positive unifying leadership in our story, which remains torn and still needs healing, as we search for justice, pray for it, and look for ways to make our awareness and our small acts count

It would be easy to make the mistake of interpreting these passages literally or simply dismissing them as raving fantasy. Sometimes strong language and extreme rhetoric is needed to shake us out of our complacency and force us to sit up, listen and look deeply within.

Possibly like many of you my first reaction to Hone Harawira email was “oh dear…not good”. But as the week has progressed I find myself remembering that the prophets of the Old Testament and Jesus himself said and did things that caused outrage and even their death. Perhaps the price of this out burst may be the death of Mr. Harawira’s political life. But the question I have been asking myself is this, what is it that has made this man so angry that he reacted in this manner?

The prophets of old and today all point to where we have broken covenant and the path back to Shalom.  Sure his language was inappropriate, but I we should not condemn or dismiss too quickly. Instead, overlook that factor and really see what Mr. Harewira is pointing to:  Generations of colonial land thefts and most recently the NZ foreshore and sea bed.

I think that this is an opportunity for us look deeply within, and begin the process of reconciliation. But in order for this to happen we need to rectify the many wrongs inflicted upon the Maori people.

It is true that the Waitangi Tribunal has gone a long way towards this, but you cannot wipe generations of betrayal and hurt with money. We have to show by our actions now and in the future that our apology is real.

As a follower of Christ I feel called to accept this challenge he lays down before us and one way is to work to put pressure on our Government to repeal the Foreshore and Seabed legislation.

I remember being hauled into the Deputy Principal’s office of a school in which I was teaching to give a “second opinion” on a boy the DP was about to expel for buying marijuana at lunch time.  I said – “Well, I guess Mr X we could give John a second chance.  Perhaps make him do A and B, and monitor his behaviour over the next period of time – to see whether there really is an improvement – or whether his pleas that it won’t happen again are right.”

“I don’t think so,” replied the DP.

In fact I knew the boy well, taught him Biology and knew his parents socially.  I’m not sure what ground my willingness to give him a second chance was based on – whether it was my willingness to be compassionate or merciful – or was it just my gutlessness at facing his parents next time – or was it that I had become the type of person that just turns away when a stand needs to be made – unwilling to be counted among those making it.

And when is a second chance – or a third, or 7 times 70 for that matter just a stupid refusal to face the facts that no matter how forgiving or liberal you are people are going to let you down time and time again.

Hone is no different to a lot of people who shoot their mouths off before thinking about what they say.  John, the boy who made that lunchtime purchase was not doing anything that another dozen or more of his cohort would not have done either.

Do I forgive, Again?  Or do I stand for what is right and get rid of the person who is the problem?  Do I force them further away from reason and good influences?

I can see why many people just don’t even want to get involved.

Co-leaders Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples made it clear yesterday that there was little prospect of the maverick MP rehabilitating himself and the party was “moving on”.

Asked whether the party could still work with Mr Harawira if he promised to mend his ways, Mrs Turia responded: “I don’t think Hone is likely to change.”

MPs are due back in Parliament next week after a two-week recess, but Mr Harawira has been given two weeks’ leave to consult his electorate.

He has been asked to quit or face being pushed after an expletive-filled outburst over a public backlash to his unscheduled trip to Paris. But sources suggested a challenge over the party’s actions as a breach of its constitution was possible, indicating that Mr Harawira may call its bluff.

Dr Sharples made it clear yesterday that Mr Harawira was damaging the party, after his outburst accusing “white motherf…ers” of “raping our lands and ripping us off for centuries” stirred up a race relations hornet’s nest.

“We’re having difficulty controlling him, let’s be straight up about that,” Dr Sharples said. “Tariana has had 600 emails as a response to the email Hone sent. I’ve had hundreds as well. Quite clearly there is concern about his behaviour.”