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Summarised by Centrist
Hobson’s Pledge campaign is facing what can be described as an own-goal after using a Rotorua woman’s image on billboards opposing Māori wards.
After complaints, the billboards were taken down. However, Te Pāti Māori escalated the situation by publicly sharing personal phone numbers of staff at LUMO, the billboard company, encouraging supporters to contact them.
This led to widespread harassment and threats, including death threats and plans to destroy billboards. Te Pāti Māori later removed the posts.
Trustee Don Brash described this as a deliberate intimidation campaign designed to silence opposition by frightening businesses away from supporting the campaign, what he calls the “thugs veto.” He revealed his own address was publicly posted with threats of violence, and highlighted similar tactics used against others suspected of opposing Māori wards.
“They want us all arguing over stock photos while they wage intimidation campaigns and use their supporters as some kind of stand-over mob,” Brash wrote in an email to supporters.
The woman’s family condemned the image’s use, saying it trampled on her mana. Hobson’s Pledge said they regret the distress caused by the image’s use but argue it was a legally purchased photo through a stock site.
Read more over at NewstalkZB and Hobson’s Pledge
