Principal X
Sunday morning, when I woke, I experienced a complex array of emotions. While I found solace in the absence of the previous government’s authority, I simultaneously grappled with sentiments of scepticism, disenchantment, and a sense of further betrayal in relation to Christopher Luxon’s professed commitment to delivering for ALL New Zealanders.
Luxon claims he and his colleagues had listened to the people as they travelled through the nation on their pre-election campaign. Yet, he made his oppositional stance toward those negatively impacted by the Covid Response very clear on multiple occasions, stating that he didn’t need any ‘freedom votes’ to win the election, that he would not support additional funding for the vaccine injured and that as far as the mandate went, if he’d been in power during the pandemic, he would have ‘gone harder faster’.
One might entertain the notion that Luxon’s use of the term ‘all’ in reference to New Zealanders might be more narrowly construed as ‘all who align with government planned and enacted agendas’.
In light of contemporary governmental focal points such as climate change, the permeation of ‘woke culture’, the infiltration of co-governance ideologies, and the overarching challenge to democratic principles, along with the absence of substantive opposition from the National party, it is evident that a Luxon-led National party is poised to steer our nation along a trajectory akin to that of the Labour party. This trajectory appears to be determined by the prevailing policy priorities of international organisations such as the World Economic Forum (WEF) the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the United Nations (UN). Consequently I believe the existing chasm within our nation will persist, and in fact, further division and segregation will likely be created.
However, a mere day after the National party’s election victory, Luxon confidently asserts that his forecast commitment is to heal our fractured nation, emphasising his dedication to focusing on that which unites us. I am hard-pressed to recall a period within my lifetime characterised by such pronounced divisions, profound disillusionment, and pervasive scepticism so widespread in our nation. I would like to believe that Luxon realises that true unity begins with a candid acknowledgement of the grievous acts that have inflicted profound trauma and loss upon countless New Zealanders. Thus far, the role he and his party have played in minimising, disregarding, contesting the validity of, and even overtly denying these realities remains conspicuous.
It is natural to feel uncertain about whether any of Christopher Luxon’s words will translate into meaningful actions, and only time will reveal the extent of his commitment, through what his party choose to prioritise and enact. There is certainly a mixed bag of chaos to repair and stabilise. If National would make a positive impact on any of those things that unite us, a good starting point would be to address the cost-of-living crisis, the appalling rates of absenteeism in our schools, the escalating crime and lack of law and order, and the growing waiting lists in hospitals and surgeries, to name but a few of our current system failures. But for now, I am waiting to see his delivery plan of action.
As a disgruntled Kiwi, heavily impacted by the mandate and Covid response I wish to encourage anyone with similar views and scepticism to unite so we can grow our influence. Together, let us persist in our collective endeavour to leave an indelible, positive mark on New Zealand, unfettered by any partisan or political interference or allegiance.
For all of those amongst us who are still disillusioned, hurting, and concerned about our nation’s future, let us not wait to see ‘what the government will do’ and instead focus and reflect on ‘what we, the people can do’.
Look at what we have already achieved, through the wonderful work and influence of NZDSOS, RCR, The BFD, The Health Forum and Voices for Freedom to name a few. By working together and fostering empathy and understanding, we can continue the process of healing, reconciliation, and rebuilding a more inclusive and harmonious New Zealand. Promoting hope in a nation scarred by discrimination, isolation, and segregation is a powerful endeavour that can lead to positive change. Personal growth and societal change are possible when we adopt a growth mindset which fosters resilience, adaptability, and a belief in the potential for improvement. Let us persist in recognising the profound suffering endured by so many in our nation, even in the face of a glaring void and an unsettling lack of acknowledgement from those in positions of authority.
If we continue sharing our stories, we can grow our influence. We can help each other to reframe the negative and traumatic experiences, by focusing on our strengths, achievements, and capacity to overcome adversity, including the neglect and denial of harm by and from our governments.
Let us continue to cultivate and grow our social support networks and communities. I encourage hurting and impacted people to connect with others in their community who have been impacted and start support groups that can provide emotional validation and a sense of belonging. I am in the process of establishing such a group in Tauranga and would be willing to share resources and support strategies with anyone interested. Let us help empower individuals to take action and advocate for their rights. Let us continue to promote education about diversity, equity and inclusion that challenge stereotypes and prejudices and promote an inclusive and accepting society. Let us realise that any groups promoting division, exclusion and discrimination, are not worthy of support.
Fostering hope in a hurting nation is a collective effort that requires the involvement of individuals, communities and, ideally, governments, but let’s not wait for any governmental attempts to enact positive change. By working together, fostering empathy, developing resilience, and focusing on positive emotions such as gratitude, unity, compassion and optimism, we can continue to create a more inclusive and hopeful society for everyone, and counteract the negative impact of discrimination and government-inflicted harm.
Martin Luther King Jr once claimed that “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
Let us ensure we continue to unite and stand against further discrimination and segregation, and that our positive influence continues to grow, empower and heal our nation through compassion, connection and courage.
