Dame Susan shows Radio NZ she has a useful lob shot for dealing with provocative questions

And then there’s the kill shot…

Gotta say it was encouraging to get some idea of what Dame Susan Devoy has to say about Waitangi Day.

Or rather, what she has written about Waitangi Day.

Some tosser on Radio NZ’s Morning Report this morning (listen here) was obviously hoping she would expand on what she had written and tried teasing her into saying something untoward. She had the good sense to be circumspect. She should have hit him in the nuts with her squash racquet.

She was circumspect – or rather, considered about what she said as you will find here – because she has just been named Race Relations Commissioner.

Why “Waitangi” Day? The shit-stirring calls for a more appropriate name

Welcome to the marae, John...

Dunno why we bother calling it Waitangi Day.

It has become an occasion – in the Far North, anyway – for unseemly shit-stirring.

Accordingly we should think about calling it something more appropriate, like Maori Malevolence Day.

Hone Hawawira’s gaggle of malcontents is promising another dose of aggravation this weekend.

The Mana Party is warning Prime Minister John Key will get a hostile reception at Waitangi this weekend as anger among Maori grows over the potential removal of Treaty rights and cutbacks at the Maori Affairs Ministry, Te Puni Kokiri.

Mana spokesman Malcolm Mulholland said this morning Key was walking into “a perfect storm”.

Will Maggie Mutu complain again to Joris about racial confrontation? Probably not

Confrontation in November 2010 ...

...and confrontation in February 2011.

Waitangi Day has dawned and Radio NZ National has dished up an especially sugary dollop of pap for the kiddies at Stortytime, including The Treaty, by Bernard Gadd, told by Riwia Brown, Karanga, by Lynne Taane, told by Roma Potiki, and Whenua Tapu – Guide Rangi, by Caroline Down, told by Rima te Wiata.

There’s plenty of similar stuff in store for adult listeners, including “The Te Papa Treaty Debates 2011” from just after 4pm through until 5pm. During this time the radio audience will be subjected to an overdose of yapping about…

Power-sharing in the 21st century, with Whaimutu Dewes and Joris de Bres. Co-chaired by Claudia Orange and Carwyn Jones

Alf will be watching sport on the telly at that time. Any sport will do to steer clear of Joris: synchronised swimming, underwater hockey, tiddlywinks, pigeon racing…

Welcome back, the Popatas: Waitangi Day wouldn’t be fun without their researching and interviewing

"Are you ready for my first question, Prime Minister?"

Remember the Popatas, the Far North brothers who assaulted Prime Minister John Key outside a marae two years ago “in a rush of blood” because of their concern over land being confiscated from Maori?

Who could forget them.

First, they are two of our special citizens, thanks to our Govenment signing up to some indigenous peoples nonsense at the United Nations.

Second, they have great jobs: John Junior Popata, 33, described himself as a researcher, and Wikatana Popata, 19, says he is an interviewer.

And third, of course, they roughed up the PM in full view of hundreds of people, admitted the assault – and virtually got off scot-free.

Only in New Zealand, eh?

Three cheers for the councillor from Howick – he talks sensibly about the folly of flying a Maori flag

Alf was cheered by the news that Manukau City Council has rejected a proposal to fly a Maori flag at its offices on Waitangi Day.

He has made no secret of his opposition to the flying of a flag that symbolises Maori separatism.

The Manukau council’s policy and activities committee – or a majority of it – seems to agree. It met yesterday to discuss the issue for the third time in two years and voted not to fly the flag on civic flagpoles.

This flag has divided Maori and the Cabinet – so how is it going to unite the country, Boss?

Should we salute it...or cut it down?

John Key – apparently jet-lagged before he even takes off for Copenhagen – is suffering under the delusion this flag celebrates cultural diversity, is a symbol of unity and will enhance the country’s race relations.

Key and Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples announced yesterday it will fly on the Auckland Harbour Bridge, at Parliament and at Premier House, the PM’s official residence, on Waitangi Day.

But Alf sees the flag as a symbol of Maori separatism and of racial divisiveness.

Maori are divided about the decision reached by the Cabinet.

The Cabinet was divided, too.

It might help (but not much) if Alf could understand what the flag represents.

PM is being nudged further on flag issue

Does the New Zealand flag fly for all New Zealanders? Or can some of us opt out, and demand to fly our own flag?

If so, which of us will be allowed that privilege? And in what circumstances?

The question needs asking now that some Maori are saying the Maori flag should fly alongside the New Zealand flag not only on Waitangi Day, but on all days of national significance.

Taxpayers fund gabfests about – flags!

Alf had an apoplexy on learning that the great majority of New Zealanders have been cut out of publicly funded consultations on a matter of huge significance to our sense of nationhood.

The headline on this news at Stuff informed him: Maori meet to decide on national flag.

A national flag?

If we are talking about a national flag, all New Zealanders should be taking part. Especially when this implies the flag we now fly – featuring the magnificent Union Jack – will be replaced.