I’ve got to hand it to Mr Luxon: even the messiest pooch mightn’t have matched him in delivering such a dog’s breakfast performance as Wednesday morning on RNZ. In Lux-plaining the rationale behind his party’s stated aversion to ‘co-governance’, his attempts to say something while saying nothing, doing his best to avoid any controversy whatsoever, offending no one if at all possible, came across as just so much inexpertly flung esoteric piffle. Quite the disappointment.
To Christopher: mate, you’re not going to be able to advance your point by dunking your tippie-toes into the mudbath and pulling them out again with a smirk, looking around to see if anyone noticed your bold manoeuvre. You’ll have to emulate a brave person. If you can think of one, jump in and be prepared to wrestle. The matter is unavoidably messy, but it’s got to be done, straightforwardly and forthrightly. There is no co-governance in the Treaty of Waitangi, Christopher; it does not exist. Just say it.
Co-governance is a modern myth, an academic invention, and not a very good one.
Not only is there no co-governance, but there is also no ‘Maori’. The agreement was made between the 512-odd signatories as heads of their respective tribes, clans, hapus, the “Chiefs and sub-tribes” of these isles and the British sovereign.
It’s time, Christopher, you took on the disciples of division and asked them if they seriously suggest the Queen of England intended to enter into multi-facet governorship agreements with all separate signatories in some sort of constitutional salad in which all the various peoples of New Zealand, some who got along very well, others who hated each other’s guts with a passion, exercised each a unique version of government as their whim and fancy took them? Because that’s what they, the treaty turnagains, are suggesting. It’s complete and utter nonsense. Just say it; Christopher. Or begone.
