We are the Aotearoa New Zealand Human Rights Foundation

In the wake of this terrible tragedy, let’s be honest, for once. White supremacy is a part of us, a dark power in the land.

In its soft version, it looks bland and reasonable. Eminent New Zealanders assure their fellows that Māori were “lucky” to be colonised by Europeans, that te reo Māori is worthless, that tikanga Māori have nothing to teach us.

Others simply assume that ancestral legacies from Europe are superior to those from the Pacific – in the law, science, social and cultural life.

In its hard version, it’s violent and hateful, spewing out curses, incarcerating young Māori in large numbers, denying them a decent education, homes and jobs, telling them they have no future, and are better off dead.

Read more at Stuff