State of the Nation

A live two hour "special" broadcast in June 2004 from the Puke Ariki Centre in New Plymouth hosted by Anita McNaught who returned from London especially. She is joined by Kerre Woodham and Robbie Rakete - together with 50 Maori and 50 Pakeha together with a variety of "opinion shapers" and a large studio audience. The show was timely because "race" and "treaty issues" were being hotly debated in the aftermath of Don Brash's Orewa "one New Zealand" speech. Taranaki was chosen because many of the wounds of Maori/Pakeha relations remain obvious in the province. The debate over whether the mountain is "Taranaki" or "Egmont" continues and conflict continues over confiscated Maori "leasehold" land. The show gave an opportunity for ordinary New Zealanders to have their say on the Treaty of Waitangi, who owns the foreshore, and the future of Maori/Pakeha relations. Debate was spirited and far-reaching without the usual politicians. The programme dominated talkback radio for the next week.