Māori 'contaminated' by a lack of Te Reo

Thursday, 6 December 2018

Sir Toby Curtis (centre) was explicit about the link between methamphetamine and the lack of Te Reo among Māori.

A prominent kaumatua has put the blame for the 'P' scourge squarely on the diminished role of Te Reo among Māori.

Wednesday night raids across Auckland and Rotorua resulted in four arrests, including one patched Head Hunter, and the seizure of 15 ounces of methamphetamine valued at $420,000,

Rotorua Area Commander Inspector Anaru Pewhairangi, said police methamphetamine worth almost half-a-million dollars was seized.

Speaking at Rotorua Police station on Thursday, Sir Toby Curtis mused, 'I wonder if we're still missing the point'.

He then began an impassioned kōrero on what he believed was the root cause of the drug problems in Rotorua.

'When our kids are taught Te Reo we don't have this,' he said.

Curtis said Te Reo provided 'cultural oxygen' and that it had been denied to Maori for 178 years.

'We were taught at school a language we never heard at home,' he said.

'English language doesn't touch my emotional intelligence. . . for 178 years we have been denied.'

He also asked whether pakeha would accept being denied their language, and said it has had the effect of limiting emotional intelligence among Maori.

'We have to wait until they've grown up and been contaminated,' he said.

Rotorua Area Commander Inspector Anaru Pewhairangi admitted he was surprised - but touched - by Curtis' kōrero.

He also gave additional details about an operation he said had been underway for months.

He said one residential property in Rotorua had been seized as well as $40,000 cash, a 30-tonne digger, a 6.5m boat, four 'high-end' cars, one classic car and 15 ounces of methamphetamine valued at $420,000.

He said three firearms were also recovered and the searches took place at six addresses, with 'more pending'.

He was clear too about the police's aim to prevent the Head Hunters setting up in Rotorua.

'Rotorua police will not put up with it,' he said.

'We will not let them parade profits of their crimes.'

Fellow Te Arawa kaumatua Paraone Pirika said it was time police, iwi and the community came together for 'a war against P.'

He said they had been taking the message about how destructive the drug is around maraes, and said he believed that message would get to those involved in the trade, irrespective of their connections to their marae.

He said their message was simple.

'How this stuff is killing our children. You can't be any more brutal than that.'

He conceded getting rid of methamphetamine would be a struggle however, 'because there's so much money behind it'.

Everyone who spoke, including fellow Te Arawa kaumatua Ngamaru Raerino and Rotorua Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson, agreed it community action would be needed to combat drugs.

It was a sentiment echoed by Pewhairangi.

'Police can't do it all alone.'

If the community does not want gangs living among it then anyone in the community can take action by providing confidential information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, Inspector Pewhairangi said.

If you or someone you know has a drug addiction and you would like confidential advice, contact the Alcohol Drug Helpline on 0800 787 797.