Go Gareth – there’s much to be said for letting all the people have their say on constitutional reform

Gareth Morgan can be a know-it-all pain in the arse.

But sometimes his willingness to stick his neck out and say what needs to be said is refreshing and to be applauded.

Perhaps these occasions most often arise when his opinions coincide with Alf’s on certain matters.

This is certainly the case today, when Morgan writes in the NZ Herald about constitutional issues raised by the two language versions of the Treaty of Waitangi, the aspirations of indigenous persons, and the role of the Waitangi Tribunal.

For example:

The marvels of mauri and mingling mana

A bunch of our judges were very early risers today, so they could turn up for a ceremony of dubious worth at the new Supreme Court building in Wellington.

The Government hasn’t disclosed exactly when the poor buggers were required to get out of bed.

But a media statement from the Office of Courts Minister Georgina te Heuheu tells us –

A short, simple yet moving ceremony marking the customary laying of the mauri stone took place at the front steps of the new Supreme Court early this morning.

Local Te Atiawa elders Sam and June Jackson joined with the Minister for Courts, Hon Georgina te Heuheu, and judges of the Supreme Court to conduct the ceremony in the early hours.