This is in today's Auckland Central Leader 4th Feb 2000
All credits to SHANNON LINDSAY for writing this story...
A NEW challenge to the driver licensing system is mounting - from Maori who believe the photograph undermines their culture. Rangi MeLean says the digital photo on his new driver's licence degrades the status and sacredness of his moko. Mr MeLean, manager of the Nlanukau Peoples Centre, believes having his picture on a computer system means anyone, particularly those overseas, can copy his moko (facial tattoo).
Moko tell a person's life story and should he unique, he says.
'I've seen tablecloths come back from Singapore with images of our ancestors, with our moko,' he says of past misuses of the Maori taon a (treasure).
Mr MeLean, Ma,na Mauri's Hauraki candidate in last year's election, got his new licence because of work and family responsibilities. It was not until Massey University Maori studies research coordinator Ni Hake of Sandringham informed him of the implications that Mr MeLean joined the cause to ban digital ID photos.
Mr Hake is the driving force behind a group which will travel to Waitangi in the Bay of Islands for Waitangi Day to protest against the new driver's licences.
The Treaty of Waitangi protects Maori property rights, which Mr Hake says includes intellectual property and moko are part of these rights.
He has refused to renew his licence since May last year.
Although he does not have a moko, Mr Hake (48) says he hopes to earn it in future and wants to protect the art for future generations. The Tuhoe descendant says unlike paper photographs, Maori do not have control over digital images.
He likens the digital computer' network to a 'fleemarket' with the moko put on sale. 'There's a need for a photo ID but we say no to these.'
Auckland Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) man- Peter Penberger says the organisation has emphasized many times that it's state of the art' driver licensing computer system is very secure. 'Even the police don't have access to the data unless they have a court order." However, Mr Hake does not trust the government's ability to keep data secret.
LTSA technology project manager Tony West says he does believe the licences will adversely affect Maori with mokg. Mr West says the licensing network is not like the Internet, where anyone can access information or images.
'We have an obligation under the Land Transport Act to capture the image and do nothing with it apart from stick it on the licence." Mr Kippenberger disputes Mr Hake's claim that Maori were not consulted about the licences. He says the issue was in the public domain for at least four years and the Ministry of Maori Affairs, was involved in the process.
Before you get all anti about our Maori people wanting things try learning from them about "property rights" ....IF WE CAN HELP THEM HERE WE WILL ALL WIN.....