A first step

I call out A Fleete (Letters, Aug 12) for inaccurately quoting my words of August 8 to promote his antidemocratic opposition to Nga¯ i Tahu’s ECan representation. Fair debate requires accurate quoting.

My letter actually stated that Nga¯ i Tahu’s two ECan members ‘‘is NOT co-governance’’, being not equal 50-50 representation.

Nevertheless, they’re more than token representation. As Mr Fleete quotes Taumutu runanga chairperson Liz Brown, they’re a pragmatic, aspirational ‘‘first step’’ towards equal ‘‘co-governance’’, then ‘‘co-government’’.

But, that Nga¯ i Tahu’s ‘‘cogovernment’’ will happen, I have no doubt, given Nga¯ i Tahu’s growing economic clout and political importance, and the growing appreciation and acceptance of te a¯ o Ma¯ ori and te reo Ma¯ ori by on-coming generations.

National and ACT take note: You’re on the wrong side of history. Gary A Clover, Richmond, Tasman [abridged]