Super City Hikoi

Something has been bugging me lately in the news. The Hikoi (or Protest for those who don't know) by Maori to have special seats assigned to them in the new Super City Council. While I'm opposed to the Super City all together because it directly affects where I live I am also opposed to racial preference. That is what the Maori are asking for. They want to have special seats allocated to them so they have a guarantee to be in the council. For a country that fought so long for equality around the world, having seats set apart for Maori in the super city council is a step backward. How is it equal to give one race guarenteed seats in the council while every other race, majority or minority, have to earn their seats? The protesters don't even know what they are really protesting about. I can't believe Maori think that because they don't have any specifically allocated seats in the council they have no chance of getting a seat in the same way as everyone else. Their leaders claim they want equallity, and to have a voice but all I'm seeing is a desire to be treated differently from everyone else. A picture on the NZ Herald site of the protest shows a protester holding a sign that says, its about rights not race. If it's not about race, why are you protesting for seats for one race. It's EVERYONES right to be represented on the council I know that, but Maori seem to have no faith that they can get on the council the same way as everyone else. It's down right pathetic and racial preference of ANY race should never bee tolerated in this modern day. Just because you are a minority doesn't entitle you to special treatment. How about applying for the council seats instead of wasting your time trying to get seats allocated to you?