It has been 170 years ago today when the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the representative of the imperial British monarch and the Maori Chieftains being the Aborignes of Aotearoa (New Zealand).

In this auspicious occasion amongst very equal proud people the missionary James Busby had been satisfied with his efforts in declaring his 'mission accomplished' acclaimation with the signing of the peace treaty between a very warlike indigenous people with an equally bellicose encroaching imperialist power.

Likened to the declaration of peace in 2003 and the announcement of the ending of military proceedings by an American president with his grandiose landing on the flight deck of a US aircraft carrier, with a most emphatic sign draped across the bridge, 'MISSION ACCOMPLISHED'. Similar thoughts were aroused in 1840 when in a place called Waitagi white European men stood side by side with brown skinned equals signing a purported peace treaty and to assume political dialogue in a bicultural exchange of diplomacy.

Unfortunately, the Eurocentric attitude and avarice designs had become the true bane of imperialist intentions. The British imperialist would, inadvertantly it seems, renege upon their treaty obligations and would pursue a more rigorous landgrab for indigenous land resources.

Chief ( or Rangitira) Hone Heke, from the Ngai Puhi tribe, was the first Maori chief to sign the treaty, he was also the first Maori Chief to physically break the peace treaty terms, by felling the flag pole where the British Union Jack was hoisted proudly over the grounds of Waitagi initiating the first series of military skirmishes between the Maori warriors and the British redcoats. The first series of Maori wars had thus began.

It is now 170 years later and these erstwhile events seem long ago forgotten until an accidental discovery of a document in the turn of the 20th century which would rekindle a long forgotten tino rangitiratanga (self determination) movement initially begun by Hone Heke in 1840.

Tofa Soifua

Tim Tufuga

When I had signed up as an Australian Touch Association referee the referee badges were embossed with the Australian Touch Association initials ATA. After an absence of some 16 years or so there have been some changes. For starters ATA referees are now known as Touch Football Australia referees (TFA).

You can tell the old foggies such as I, I have the original ATA badge making me as old as the hills.

I had finally visited the Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Association venue on Whites Hill, in Camp Hill, Brisbane. http://www.bmta.com.au.

I was impressed with the expanse of the venue. It is big, I mean really big. There are so many touch rugby football fields.

On this day, Thursday the 4th February, 2010, I had visited the venue for the first time. All fields were being used with countless touch rugby games simultaneously being played. All players were attired in immaculately distinct uniforms, the referees were uniformed and had their rankings displayed on their badges as they officiated the games.

The venue was all new to me. Why? because when I was refereeing for ATA in 1993-94, the venue had just become operational. In fact, BMTA had become operational in 1993. I was unaware of its existence, even in 1993, as I was refereeing games in Annerley, Brisbane, as an ATA ref.

In the meantime, what else was new to me was the blue card application forms. I was annoyed with this overt infringment upon my civil liberties, insofar as, duplicating red tape at personal expense to potential employees. I had finally relented to officialdom. I filled in the form and now I am permitted to referee games with these kids. I will not be opting to referee other parents kids, no thank you. Instead, I will be officiating mens, womens, as well as, mixed graded teams throughout the week.

I am finally on the BMTA referee rooster for the final two weeks of the summer season of BMTA touch rugby. This ought to be interesting since I will be something new to the seasoned touch rugby teams who may resent my unique form of absolutism.

Happy training and enjoy your games.

Cheers

Tim Tufuga

I have just realised that I have been refereeing in the wrong competition. I have been refereeing Queensland Sports Management (QSM) games not realising that my ATA refereeing qualifications was worth nothing in this touch rugby competition. It has occured to me then that the hostitlity towards me may not be racially motivated?, but, something more to do with my ATA referee uniform I was wearing onto the field. I hope so anyway.

I will be returning to the Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Association as an ATA referee very soon. Next week, I will be refereeing in Logan Metro rugby park, right in Crestmead, which is so convenient for me, as well as, refereeing in Beenleigh. I will no longer feel like a fish out of the water in my own neighbourhood nor will my uniform be incorrect referee attire as well.

In the meantime, I will probably referee my last game for QSM tonight and say good riddance to the QSM once and for all.

Thats all for now folks.

Tim Tufuga

ATA ref level 2.