According to a report by the
Children's Commissioner,
European missionaries are to blame
for introducing child abuse
into Maori society.
But according to an advocate
for Maori children,
this report has no
grounding in fact.
This is the beginning
of the confusion
for a child suffering from abuse.
A new report has
suggested abuse arose
only after Maori were introduced
to corporal punishment
in missionary-run classrooms.
We have lived a long time
now in a European world.
Since their arrival our
children are being murdered,
our people are in jail,
so what is wrong with looking at
pre-European examples of parenting
to apply in today's world.
This report was commissioned
by the child advocacy group
Te Kahui Mana Ririki,
which has produced a
new parenting programme
aimed at keeping our children safe.
Do not give credence to the 
ignorant by responding person.
I won't respond to that, because
I come from a Maori World view.
Te Kahui Mana Ririki reported
a reduction in child abuse
after running workshops
based on its findings.
This Thursday the report will
be made available to the world.
Roihana Nuri, Te Karere.
