With respect, what you are demanding is impossible.

I have tried to remove the photos but they are under several different headings and keep reappearing.

To be honest, in retrospect, I don’t think I took the photos.  I may have plucked them from some other blog 14 years ago but cannot remember.

Either way, they have been in the public domain for so long that any removal from TRM’s records is considered meaningless.

We have already pleaded guilty.

We believe the entire response is an over-reaction. at your expense.

There is nothing more I can do.

i.e.

Facebook advises the TRM blog on 22 July now records the following:

Kind regards,

 

Kia ora Ross

Removing the image from your social media gallery requires you to go through your gallery “photos” on your Facebook main page, click on the image, go to the three dots at top right hand corner and select delete. The image will disappear.

I’m not asking you to remove the image from every single post. That indeed would be a mission.

Regards

“What is it that you do not understand about the word “NO”?

Your continued demands make us realise you do not understand your position, and we need to refresh your memory.

If we needed your help then we would ask for it.  So far we have been polite and tried to maintain a cordial relationship, but you have again abused your position and gone too far with your ridiculous demands.

This is TRM’s website, not yours.  Only TRM will decide what to post.  If you do not like it, too bad.  That is not racist; it is common sense.  Over many years, others who have tried to influence TRM blogs to suit their requirements or for lobbying have received the same refusal.  You have no reason to demand censorship according to the gospel of Turangitukua.

You have absolutely no right or authority to determine what TRM decide to promote, or ignore on our website.  (Control of the media is a similar strategy to the previous Labour Prime Minister, and look where it got her.)  It is for our regular readers, not for promulgating tribal rules or racism.

This website has operated for over 20 years, long before Facebook was introduced. During that time we have enthusiastically promoted the trout fishing and scenic qualities of Turangi in a positive manner.

Now you imagine you have some self-appointed ethnic authority to play censor?  You have absolutely no right to demand that we remove any images from our social media gallery.  If the material in our posts upsets you, then don’t read it.

If you want to complain, then object to the appropriate authorities set up to deal with it.  Write to DOC.  Complain to council.  Try your MP.  Get legal advice.  We cannot make it any clearer.  Do not waste our time.  Just buzz off!

Again, I reiterate, our editorial responsibility is to our tourist guests, not Turangitukua.  Your tribe had over 20 years to complain about our content, with that particular photo of your marae building being circulated for about the last 14 years. It has never been used commercially, but only to add some additional native colour. It is not that important.

It is far too late now to join your grievance industry to demand its removal.  Any architectural merits hardly justify your belated screening.  Tourists will want to know: what are you trying to hide?

TRM website has been dominated by your pathetic disciples continuing to complain. In the interests of common decency, we have had to delete far more of their posts than was acceptable.  We do not apologise for deleting complaints in your native language as none of our readers understands what is being alleged. They were unacceptable in every way.  Some goons were using a fake profile.  You must be so proud of them?

From our anglers’ perspective, you are being totally unreasonable in demanding any additional commission for the right to fish the Tongariro River and Lake Taupo waters.  Your tribe has enjoyed taking about half the fishing licence fees for the last hundred years without putting anything back into conservation. But apparently that is not enough.  Your leaders are now so greedy they are demanding another commission.  If that is your interpretation of co-governance, then it is unacceptable.

If you continue to send other demands, such as that requesting TRM cannot show any particular scenic photos of this region, then you have to expect to be ridiculed by more public exposure.  At the same time, I suppose we should thank you for the increased attention your flawed policy has attracted.  All Facebook viewers love any controversial issues, even more so when they involve Māori issues.  This is natural. In the last 28 days, TRM’s Facebook circulation or readers’ views of your duplicity have exceeded 600,000.  As with other “letters to the editor”, they are seen by far more than just Turangi anglers.  The level of approvals for TRM’s stance far outnumbers your tribal demands and crude critics.

Have a nice day.”