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Democracy Action
Reading the Government’s press release ‘Social Cohesion Programme To Address Incitement Of Hatred And Discrimination’, which heralds the proposed changes to the so-called ‘hate speech’ legislation, I thought we must be in Wonderland, having joined Alice in falling through the rabbit hole into a fantasy world.
Our country is increasingly awash with policies that entrench racial separatism, promoting division and discord, and undermining democracy – and yet this Government speaks of social cohesion! Is there not at least an inkling within government of how hypocritical this is?
The Government is forging ahead with policies that are destroying the unity of our nation by setting one group of citizens above others. It appears no opportunity is lost to establish arrangements whereby representatives of just 17% of the population share equal power with representatives of the other 83 per cent.
Currently, we see this in education and health reforms, and in Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s water reforms, which would mean mana whenua have equal rights alongside councils in governing water assets.
Please see below for an update on the Three Waters Reform Programme, which is shaping up to be another Trojan horse for constitutional change.
The social cohesion of the country is also being threatened by other race-based entitlements not available to other New Zealanders. One such example of this is promoted in the Government’s strategy to revitalise the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. This plan allows for iwi to have a greater say and greater rights than other citizens.
Instead of all of us working together to restore the Gulf, the proposed 11 high protection areas will allow ‘customary take’ rights, exclusive to iwi, and at their discretion. Another element of the policy includes plans for 50/50 co-governance arrangements with tangata whenua, which in practice means iwi control – we need only to look at the actions of the Tupuna Maunga Authority (TMA), a co-governance arrangement over Auckland’s maunga, to know that this would be the case.
The TMA have made it clear that cultural restoration takes precedence over ecological restoration. Taking the Government’s strategy document into account, it appears the same principle will be applied in the Marine Park.
In another shock decision, despite the far-reaching implications of tikanga taking precedence over the common law, the Government has decided not to appeal the recent ruling made under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act, granting customary marine title and protected customary rights to several Bay of Plenty hapu. Instead, they will act as an intervenor. Appealing this decision has been left to private groups. See more about this in the article below.
Such decisions and policies by the Government are evidence we are well along the path towards a nation divided on racial lines. As Professor Elizabeth Rata at University of Auckland explains in her commentary published at the Democracy Project Ethno-Nationalism or Democratic-Nationalism: Which way ahead for New Zealand?“The acceptance of ancestral membership as a political category, rather than a social identity, has huge implications for national cohesion and democratic government”.
Elizabeth writes that with the sudden emergence of the revolutionary report He Puapua, it is clear New Zealanders are at a crossroads. She urges us all to read the report then freely and openly discuss what type of nation do we want – whether we want our future to be that of an ethno-nationalist state or a democratic-nationalist one.
Even the way the government is dealing with UNDRIP and the He Puapua report is divisive. Maori Development Minister Willie Jackson has just announced that the first round of consultation is to be confined to iwi and Maori organisations over the next six months, before the wider public can have their say.
He added that although He Puapua is not government policy, the recommendations could be, and that the Government is not ruling anything out. Jackson says that the findings of both phases will help form the Government’s plan to honour UNDRIP, which will be ready by the end of 2022. But let’s not wait to be asked. Labour commands a strong majority in Parliament, so whatever the government decides to do cannot be stopped – except by the strength of expressions of public opposition. Therefore, it is very important that we all speak out – and continually do so.
It is only when there is a groundswell of opposing voices that the politicians and the establishment will start to listen. Consequently, we urge you to contact your MPs – phone their local office, and/or email them. Phone Parliament – 04 817 9999 – and ask to be put through to the MP or leader to whom you wish to make your views known.
Send letters to editors, call talkback radio, discuss the issues with friends and family. Please take every opportunity to do so.
A big thank you to those who last month volunteered to deliver flyers to publicise a petition to restore our democratic rights – Return New Zealand [Nu Tirani] to a true democracy, organised by a group of citizens incensed by the Government’s draconian fast-tracked legislation to abolish the right for New Zealanders to petition for a referendum on Maori wards. This petition closes on 8 August. If you would also like to help, please let me know at democracyaction@xtra.co.nz
Other ways to have your say:
Local Government Representation
At least once every six years Councils are required to undertake a review of the current representation, and many councils are currently doing so. This is a chance for the community to put forward suggestions on how they want wards, community boards and elected members arranged. Please visit your local council website for directions on how to have your say.
Proposals to Alter NZ’s Hate Speech Law
The government is seeking feedback on the recently released discussion document. For a persuasive argument against the Government’s proposed legislation see the Chris Trotter commentary: I understand why you want to do it, Jacinda – but don’t. Submissions close on August 6.
The NCEA Curriculum Changes
As part of the NCEA Change Programme the Ministry of Education is proposing changes to the New Zealand Curriculum subjects available in schools. You have a chance to have a say on the NCEA curriculum levels 2 & 3 until August 11. See the article below for more information.
Thank you to all who made submissions on the draft NZ histories curriculum. We have repeatedly asked the Ministry of Education if the submissions can be viewed online, but so far without success. We will keep trying.
Another Place Name Change
It is becoming increasingly obvious there is a determined campaign under way to replace Pakeha place names with Maori names, including that of our major cities. In many cases, this is being done without reference to the public. In some areas, there may be a good argument and even public support for doing so, but let us follow democratic process rather than having change imposed through indoctrination.
One of our members has brought to our attention the proposal to alter the official place name Maxwell, a township on the outskirts of Whanganui, to Pakaraka. If you would like to voice your opinion on this name change, you can make a submission by clicking HERE. August 30 is the final day to have your say.
Three Waters Reform – Further Constitutional Change by Stealth
In another step in what the Government terms ‘partnership-based reform’ Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta last week released further information on plans to move the ownership and management of water infrastructure from local councils into the hands of four multi-regional water service entities across New Zealand. This information includes the proposed boundaries of the four water providers, further details on the proposed water services entities – including governance arrangements, how they would be regulated, and the role of iwi.
Nanaia Mahuta: “The Government will continue to work with the sector, iwi and industry on some of the details to give these transformational reforms the best chance of success. We will be making further announcements in the coming weeks, including a three waters reform support package for councils and their communities’’.
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Crown Not Appealing Foreshore and Seabed Decision
It has been left up to a self-funded private group to act in the public interest by lodging an appeal in the first major foreshore and seabed decision under the current law, which awarded customary title in three parts of Eastern Bay of Plenty to six hapu of Whakatohea. The Government has decided not to do so.
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‘Maori-Crown Partnership’ Features Strongly in Revamp of Education System
During 2018 the Government announced a three-year work programme to bring about significant changes to New Zealand’s education system, from preschool to university. The reforms include a complete overhaul of the Ministry of Education, a review of Tomorrow’s Schools, and NCEA, and a programme of change for vocational education.
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