In recent letters to The Weekend Sun various correspondents have expressed their opposition to issues in our relationship with the treaty partners. Robin Rimmer claims accusations of racism are unfounded in their opposition to the use of te reo.

Yet, other than personal opinion, they offer no substantive reason for their opposition. Racism will always be a possibility in such circumstances. Dual language is common in many countries, the Maori people surely have a right to see and hear their language in common usage.

Steve Porter claims co-governance is undemocratic, not so Steve. There is no book on democracy, it is practised in many different forms worldwide. Perhaps a better term to use would be ‘joint management'. In fact the current examples of co-governance are carried out by appointed members to represent the crown and in some cases elected Maori to represent their interests.

It may well be that fear mongering on racial issues is politically expedient but those who live the daily reality know that we will never be ‘one people' but rather a very respectful partnership.

Robin Bell, Omanawa.