Monday, August 24, 2009

Takimoana Government formed


Can you feel the sea-change?

Sometimes when i think about the past, it seems very close indeed. The last soldier from WW1 in England just died. That war started around 1914. It really is not far back from there to reach 1850.

So things are beginning to change and yes, some of those changes will be difficult.

One change, below, is the setting up of an alternative legitimate government; "The Takimoana Government", by maori for maori.

Perhaps the group with the biggest changes coming are maori who have assimilated and see themselves as kiwis, for these people, some choices will have to be made, some difficult choices.

"The Takimoana Government

The Takimoana Government was established by the people of Te Whanau-a-Takimoana on 22 June 2008 at Rangitukia when the people ratified and executed the Takimoana Government Deed of Constitution. The Takimoana Government is a reference to the particular system of government that prevails over the Takimoana tribal territory. That system of government enshrined in the Deed of Constitution comprises of a principal governing organ known as the Takimoana Governing Council, and two subsidiary organs of government, the Treasury and Secretariat.

Why the Takimoana Government?

Because 168 years of being ruled by a settler regime and imposter sovereign has been detrimental to the tribe’s social and political aspirations. Their lands have been stolen, they have been sidelined from effectively participating in the politics of the state, they have been forcibly subjected to assimilationist policies, and policies which have deprived them of their right to a fair and equitable share in the wealth of the nation. The people decided, after enduring more than a century of the colonial experience, that self government was the only pathway that would lead to the promotion of their welfare and best interests.

The purpose of the Takimoana Government

The principal purpose of the Takimoana Government is to act as guardian for Te Whanau-a-Takimoana through the exercise of Te Whanau-a-Takimoana te tino rangatiratanga both domestically and internationally for and on behalf of Te Whanau-a-Takimoana, and in a manner that best advances their social, political, economic and cultural wellbeing.

The Constitutional Basis of the Takimoana Government

The constitutional basis upon which government over the Takimoana tribal territory has been established is that Te Tiriti o Waitangi ki te Tai Rawhiti entered into between Queen Victoria and Te Whanau-a-Takimoana representatives on 1 June 1840 at Rangitukia, did not cede sovereignty to England as purported by William Hobson, Lieutenant Governor of New Zealand.

The Constitutional Powers of Government

Until 22 June 2008 New Zealand’s legal system operated on the basis that Parliament had supreme lawmaking powers that cannot be challenged. Article 5 of the Deed of Constitution confers powers upon the Takimoana Governing Council that supersede those of the New Zealand Parliament including the power to strike down, invalidate, set aside, amend or suspend any law of Parliament that, in the opinion of the Takimoana Governing Council, is injurious (harmful) to Te Whanau-a-Takimoana."

The changes are happening - where will you stand?

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