New Zealand Listener – August 10, 2019

AUGUST 10 2019 LISTENER 55

1% of the population claimed
no religion. In 2013, the figure
was 42%, quite close to the
total who claimed to be Chris-
tians. A quarter of a million
had a non-Christian faith.
There is also more question-
ing of the role of the state
than there was in 1939 when
the Government regulated

or owned large parts of the

country’s economic activ-

ity – during World War II, the

Government even enforced

“austerity clothing” by outlaw-

ing cuffs and bulky sleeves!

The Rogernomics revolution of

the 1980s led to a questioning

that has never ceased. There

is also less consciousness of

class than 80 years ago. At

that time, party allegiance

was defined by class, with

working-class people tied to

the Labour Party and middle-

class people and farmers

voting consistently National.

This is no longer the case, with

more swinging voters, many

working-class Tories and many

December 1985. The Treaty of Waitangi was largely ignored by Pākehā for more
than a century, although Māori fought continuously for their Treaty rights. In 1975,
the same year Whina Cooper led the massive Māori Land March to Parliament, a
Labour government set up the Waitangi Tribunal. In 1985, another Labour admin-
istration changed the tribunal’s rules, allowing it to hear claims and grievances
dating back to 1840. The move was pivotal. The Treaty was resurrected as a living
document. Settlement of ancient grievances, worth many hundreds of millions of
dollars so far, forged well ahead of Pākehā understanding, a discrepancy with its
own compensation for Don Brash, National Party leader from 2003-06. But two of
the biggest settlements were achieved under National. The northern Tainui and
southern Ngai Tahu accepted $170m each. Tainui initially struggled, but Ngai Tahu
proved a corporate star. Said Ngai Tahu kaiwhakahaere (chair) Mark Solomon, “To
let go issues of the past you had to have them heard, if you’re to go forward.”

Waitangi Tribunal

powers extended

In 1936, about 1%

of the population

claimed no

religion. In

2013, the figure

was 42%.