Every year, in the lead-up to Waitangi Day, political leaders traditionally make their ‘State of the Nation’ speeches before descending on the Bay of Islands for commemoration of the 1840 Treaty. In the last couple of decades, 6 February has developed a tendency toward a rather unhealthy mix of sensationalism and introspection. The scorecard each year tends to be dominated by the level of angst at official gatherings but I don’t think that this is an accurate reflection of the state of the nation or, for that matter, the world.

Amongst other things, the Treaty of Waitangi brought a formal end to military hostilities between Maori and Britain. What lessons can be learned from the shared experience before, during and since that event?

Military planning has traditionally been oriented toward the protection of people, assets and the means by which one uses the other to generate wealth. In an era of increasing irrelevance for the nation state, does that raison d’être hold true? Because, while there are those who feel genuinely aggrieved; who lack such basics as water, food, shelter and choices about their future; there can never be peace. They will not fight us or our allies in order to defend their assets and wealth. They will fight to survive. They will fight to the death to protect their children. We would do the same in their circumstances.

There can never be enduring peace while there are people in the world who lack the basic elements for sustaining life, who crave a sense of belonging and the chance to better themselves. Therefore, a national security policy based solely on protecting us and our wealth from the cries of those who have nothing will have the effect of multiplying by zero. Such an approach will not result in peace and security. It will have absolutely the opposite effect.

If peace is the absence of war and security is the lack of invaders – in all their forms – at our doors, then NZ has not been at peace for a very long time. We need capable armed forces but, in isolation, the strongest force is irrelevant if not combined with effective Governmental means for addressing the cries of the needy – here and abroad.

A new Government brings with it the chance to change step. By that, I don’t mean greater powers for the State. Actually, I mean just the opposite. We must remove the barriers to people’s choices in every walk of life and they, by their choices, will 'declare peace' because they will have been given the greatest gift that any Government can bestow.

FREEDOM.