My grandson, aged 3, is forced to say sorry by his parents when he has done something unacceptable, and he immediately complies with a quick “Sorry” that makes the point that he is neither sorry, nor that he will not do the same thing again if it suits him. That is the sort of apology we have had from Witi Ihimaera for his plagiarism in his latest novel, the only difference being that Ihimaera is not three years old, and that he holds the position of Distinguished Professor at Auckland University.

Sorry alone doesn't do it, not for my grandson, not for a leading artists, nor for any other individual our group claiming a responsible place in society. The least Witi could have done is refuse to accept his Arts Laureateship and called for the withdrawal of all copies of The Trowenna Sea from sale. The least Auckland University could do is demand his resignation from his position, as evidence of plagiarism is not tolerated when it is committed by its own students its professors should at least meet the same standards, and be seen to do so.

Witi's publishers should also facilitate a total recall of the books, and begin an investigation into their complicity in this crime against New Zealand literature and the wider arts community. They should also initiate a full investigation into all of Witi's published works for which they are responsible, as this is the second known case of Witi plagiarism, the last being in his much awarded novel, The Matriarch. If there are more cases out there, we need to know.

Penguin's excuse that picking up plagiarism would be very difficult without intimate knowledge of the author's work does not wash. As Witi's publisher this is the second time plagiarism has passed through their system, and having published almost all of Witi's fiction to date, Penguin should be know his writing well enough to find evidence of other artist's work. Or is plagiarism an integral part of Witi's style?

The media is awash with advertisements calling for involvement in a march for 'democracy', asserting the democratic right of individuals to make direct decisions about how their country is run. But what about responsibility to go with that right.

On top of Witi Ihimaera, Auckland University, Penguin Books and the Arts Foundation, this week has also seen the Commerce Commission refusing to fine the chicken processing company, Inghams for lying to consumers about their chicken being (GM Free). So lying is okay? Not if you are a fruit juice company, or a butcher as past prosecutions by the Commerce Commission reveal, but it is fine if you kill chickens for profit.

The Commerce Commission is supposed to take a tough stance on lying to consumers, so I guess if they don't take their legal responsibilities in these matters seriously, what chance for universities, publishers, arts organisation and university professors? No wonder New Zealand has the 8th highest commercial fraud rate in the world.