I know that talk: ‘It’s time to drive the British
into the sea.’ No, I don’t take it lightly.
Those who say it mean it. A Pakeha-Maori
I say ‘God save my Queen’, and then I wish
my tribe success. I know that men must fight.
Pakeha in me says, ‘We can take New Zealand
but only if we get our strategy right.’
Maori answers, ‘Our ally is the land –
we will drag their mana down, and the white Queen’s law.’
I think who wins is right. I salute the victor.
It’s long since Lizard Skin, old warrior chief,
his death-bed eyes burning because he foresaw
this conflict, gave to his kin these words I offer
to both sides now: ‘Be brave, that you may live!’