"A political movement based on race implies that your whakapapa defines your politics...."

"Let’s talk about te Pāti Māori. A political movement based on race. ...

"A political movement based on race implies that your whakapapa defines your politics....

"The idea that your politics is defined by your whakapapa is antithetical to the principles of modern democracy. That every man is created equal. That we should judge a person by the content of their character and not the colour of their skin. ...

"It is true that many Māori continue to struggle and there are obstacles their children face that the offspring of other kiwis do not. Prejudice, poverty and a legacy of failed policies create barriers that make success harder to achieve. We can acknowledge these truths and consider strategies to address these concerns without distorting of our history.

"In New Zealand ancestry is not destiny. This has not always been true. We must be vigilant to ensure that, in this country, an individual’s future is not defined by their heritage."

~ Damien Grant from hos column 'Let’s talk about te Pāti Māori. A political movement based on race'