Hobson’s Pledge Trust
A scrap between a couple of entrepreneurs, Sir Ian Taylor and Troy Bowker, would probably have died a quiet death if Bowker was not part-owner of the Hurricanes rugby team, according to talk show host Peter Williams. See Troy Bowker
In response to a post by Taylor linked to a Tom Scott cartoon which had the words: “How come NZ excels on the water in yachting, rowing, kayaking etc? Answer: Our ancestral DNA!”, Bowker? accused the animation entrepreneur of “sucking up to the left Maori? loving agenda”, despite Taylor’s Maori heritage. See Polynesian voyagers can inspire.
When approached for comment, Bowker said in an email:
“Stuff is a far-left extreme publication essentially surviving on being nice to Labour and the Greens in exchange for subsidies.”
Cancel culture kicked in. Hurricanes chair Iain Potter distanced his team from Bowker (See Hurricanes distance themselves from Bowker), as did Labour Minister Stuart Nash, who had benefited from $51,000 in donations from Bowker. See Nash received $51,000 from Bowker
In response, Bowker sold his shareholding in the Hurricanes. A further unintended consequence will be for Nash, who will have to look elsewhere during the next election campaign to replace that $51,000.
Who are the winners and losers in this one? The supporters of free speech certainly gained an outspoken, fearless, and well-heeled advocate.
Please share so others can discover The BFD.
