by ray jackson, president, indigenous social justice association
[Excerpt from a story in the Taranaki Daily News, in full at
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/opinion/column-korero/3704483...
Maui Oil, a 100 per cent Maori-owned exploration company, plans to drill for oil in the Awanui, St Mary's Church, Eltham and Gladstone St cemeteries [in Taranaki]. When spoken to, company CEO Joe King laughed off the possibility of objections. "Look mate, resource consents aren't needed for oil exploration so objectors can go to hell," said Mr King.
Maui Oil is looking for other culturally sensitive Pakeha [non-Maori New Zealander] sites because it believes they have not been explored. "Pakeha have been quite protective of sites they consider culturally important and have avoided drilling in those areas. This has left an opportunity for us to exploit," Mr King said. The same cannot be said for culturally sensitive Maori sites, many of which have been poked, prodded and exploded in the name of oil exploration or progress. "It's great that Maori can now return the favour," said Mr King.
My comment:
if only this was true but it does carry a very important message of what would be possible with full ownership of our own resources.
this also could be applied to the current mining frenzy. i am old enough to remember other threats of a capital strike but their greed knows no bounds.
why shouldn't the profits stay here instead of currently 52% of the profits going overseas. all the profits should stay here the better to enrich the communities of this country, both black and white. mining resources are finite. once it is dug up and sold, that is it. we are left with the holes or the traditional owners are left with the holes and we share the ensuing poverty when the bubble bursts.
mining - and oil and gas - booms come and go but not so the profits, they must remain here for all australians.