Kia Ora: Today we
took it easy after the West Coast trip. In the afternoon, we met up with
Professor Eric Pawson – a Human Geographer from the University of Canterbury. On a hill overlooking Christchurch, Eric gave a
history about the earthquake that struck Christchurch
in Feb of 2011. In fact, there are still some after shocks from this
earthquake (although we have not felt any). See this map for activity - http://www.christchurchquakemap.co.nz/
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| Professor Pawson explaining about the rebuild in Christchurch |
CERA - Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority – is a governmental authority
leading the rebuild in Christchurch and surrounding areas. Several areas in
Christchurch have been “red zoned” (http://cera.govt.nz/maps)
and no commercial or private buildings are allowed to be in these zones due to
earthquake risks. If this event has a silver lining, it is a chance for the
community to rebuild the downtown and surrounding areas in a more sustainable
way. For example, there quite a bit of discussion to include green
infrastructure and incorporate more open space to provide walking areas and
areas for native flora and fauna (see http://www.avonotakaronetwork.co.nz/).
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| Attentive students |
Eric also spoke about European (Pakeha) and Maori relations
and the history of colonial settlement.
The Treaty of Waintangi was an agreement between the Maori and the
English (Crown). See www.nzhistory.net.nz/politics/treaty-of-waitangi .
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| Overlooking Christchurch |
“The Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand’s
founding document. It takes its name from the place in the Bay of Islands where
it was first signed, on 6 February 1840. This day is now a public holiday in
New Zealand. The Treaty is an agreement, in Māori and English, that was made
between the British Crown and about 540 Māori rangatira (chiefs).”
“The Treaty is a broad statement of
principles on which the British and Māori made a political compact to found a
nation state and build a government in New Zealand. The document has three
articles. In the English version, Māori cede the sovereignty of New Zealand to
Britain; Māori give the Crown an exclusive right to buy lands they wish to
sell, and, in return, are guaranteed full rights of ownership of their lands,
forests, fisheries and other possessions; and Māori are given the rights and
privileges of British subjects.”
“The Treaty in Māori was deemed to
convey the meaning of the English version, but there are important differences.
Most significantly, the word ‘sovereignty’ was translated as ‘kawanatanga’
(governance). Some Māori believed they were giving up government over their
lands but retaining the right to manage their own affairs. The English version
guaranteed ‘undisturbed possession’ of all their ‘properties’, but the Māori
version guaranteed ‘tino rangatiratanga’ (full authority) over ‘taonga’
(treasures, which may be intangible). Māori understanding was at odds with the
understanding of those negotiating the Treaty for the Crown, and as Māori
society valued the spoken word, explanations given at the time were probably as
important as the wording of the document.”
This treaty – in reality – was not
followed to closely by Europeans as they grabbed land. There was a Waitangi
tribunal formed in 1975 to hear grievances and to offer compensation. See http://www.justice.govt.nz/tribunals/waitangi-tribunal
After the discussion – we drove to
Lyttleton harbor to have a look around. We drove back through the Lyttleton-Christchurch
tunnel (http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/10225/christchurch-lyttelton-road-tunnel
)where we tried to hold our breath all the way through (about 2 minutes – Derek
was able to do this!).
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| Playing piano in Lyttletton |
Cheers
Dr.H
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