The Media in NZ Politics

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What's happening in NZ politics? Hardly had Labour's sex scandal blown over (a young party staffer apparently made unwanted sexual overtures to young female party members)  than Labour's coalition partner NZ First's  Clayton Mitchell was thrown out of a Tauranga night club for supposed drunken behaviour (He denies it; claiming political motivation) and Shane Jones was seen using a now-illegal-in-NZ assault rifle while holidaying in Thailand.  Three bad strikes against the Government parties. 

Fortunately, we have a clean party in National. Its staffers are no longer young, its MPs sip alcohol in moderation, and they only use guns for "grouse" shooting.

National's worst action/in-action last week was refusing the Speaker's request to remove  parliamentary footage  from its Facebook page. UPDATE. National to remove videos. While this resulted in National being allowed less parliamentary question time, thus allowing Government more  time to get on with the job of governing, the relief will probably be short lived. Even now, in-depth (up to their knees in bull) journalists are sniffing around for more trivial news to demean and distract.  And leave us less than well informed about the important issues facing the country.

-- ACW

What Labour is Doing about the Allegations

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See also previous posting pn494.

Jacinda Ardern: ‘We have a duty of care, and we failed in it’

The Spinoff | Staff writers

The prime minister has admitted mistakes, and outlined measures to change the party culture.

Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister and leader of the Labour Party, yesterday addressed at length the situation around allegations of sexual assault by a Labour volunteer and an investigation into a Labour staffer. “We have a duty of care, and we failed in it,” she said at her post-cabinet press conference, before laying out a series of actions that would be undertaken as a result.

Here is what she said, in full.(My emphasis)

Opt-Out Union Membership Proposed Instead of Opt-In: a Good Idea?

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A world first opt-out union membership system is being proposed for New Zealand. 

The idea from four academics would see workers signed up to a union at the same time as they sign their employment contract.

Waikato University Management Professor Mark Harcourt told Heather du Plessis-Allan that right now, the system is opt-in, which makes it hard for unions to gather members who are afraid of offending their new employer.

He says people can still choose to be part of a union, or not part of a union, under an opt-out system. Harcourt says research shows widening income inequality is linked to the decline in union presence.

Read more and listen to the interview by clicking here

The Cabinet Reshuffle and Biassed Media Reporting

Jacinda Ardern pn234

Again, the impartiality of some news announcers and reporters must be questioned. It's all in  the weighted  words they choose, the innuendoes and what is not reported.  

Last night's TV1 News had the Government "throwing more resources" at housing. It mentioned problems but no successes, even though the PM  said there was "good progress on long term issues". and more houses built than any time since the 1990s. It continued to not mention that National had sold State housing, making things worse. It said the reshuffle meeting time was "deliberately set for 3:30" so MPs could not answer questions — implying the time was unfair, yet there was plenty of time to answer questions or make statements, as Simon Bridges showed during his almost nightly appearance. The NZ Herald had Jacinda Ardern "stripping" Phil Twyford of the Housing ministry, when Jacinda said the job was too big for one person and praised him for a "remarkable job". It wrote of "winners and losers", demeaning the reshuffle  as if it was a game or lottery. 

NZ: The Politics of the Capital Gains Tax Debate: Stacey Kirk in Stuff

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It might have been Recess week in Wellington last week, but there was still plenty going on, emanating from the halls of Parliament.

And the Government desperately needs to get a grip on the tax convo:
Because it’s in an extremely vulnerable period, where it’s getting hammered on the introduction of a capital gains tax, which at this stage is only a working group recommendation rather than policy. The independent working group has delivered a range of options, but the Government hasn’t decided what it wants to do - that means it doesn’t have a package to sell.

An Email from the Prime Minister

Hi Crosbie, pn248 Here in New Zealand, we have a long history of standing up for what's right on the world stage. We were the first country in the world where women won the right to vote, the first to introduce a cradle-to-grave social welfare system, and we led the world when we declared ourselves nuclear free. Now, we're leading the way with our approach to the economy and how we measure success. This year, our Government will present the world's first "wellbeing budget". This means we will work not just to balance our books, but also to reduce child poverty, raise living standards, and look after our environment.

We Do Not Shed Our Skin: Why All Politics are Identity Politics - Golriz Ghahraman

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First published in The SpinOff* A "must" read for all concerned about human justice and true equality. --ACW.

In this edited version of her speech at the Hamilton Press Club last Friday, Green MP Golriz Ghahraman recounts her journey from a childhood in Iran to becoming the first refugee elected to the NZ parliament, and why identity is at the heart of democracy.


Being a Middle Eastern woman is a strangely over-burdened birthright, especially at this moment in global catastrophes. And especially to me, suddenly a politician.

Thinking about "The Rotting Corpse of Daily Journalism"

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"But my real suspicion was this: the stench was from the rotting corpse of daily journalism after it had finally, and deservedly, carked it from overdosing on clickbait, reporting speculation and breathless beat-ups." -- Greg Dixon, "On the (Carterton) pong track," NZ Listener, Oct. 13 .., pp 94.

Bridges: He Needs to Use the Other Mic

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If Opposition leader Simon Bridges would take some advice, I'd suggest he comes up with something positive about what National would do if it were in government (or perhaps explain why it didn't do it when it was) rather than repetitively criticize everything the Labour-led coalition is trying to do.

Today's comment was to criticise the announcement of a working group to develop a fair pay framework. Bridges called this "more talk, more slogans (and) the 153th working group." If this sounds like too much consultation to Bridges, it could in part be a consequence of  the lower level of consultations under National that has led to the need for redress under the present Government.

One  wonders whether tomorrow he'll be criticising the government's plan to establish a Business Advisory Council to be chaired by former Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon. The PM hopes the Council will provide Government with "high level free and frank advice on key economic issues and harness expertise from the private sector to develop government's economic.policies.' Free meaning open, not costless for, of course, the process is costly as ACT leader David Seymour has pointed out. Whether it would be more costly not to consult is another question.

An advisory council is different from a working party. It has direct, ongoing contact with Government while working parties are more typically one-off affairs with some ongoing contact, at the other end of the spectrum, that later may lead to the sort of relationship enjoyed by advisory councils.

Criticising Government is fine. That's a large part of an Opposition's job.  It keeps Government on its toes. . But it also needs to actually say something new. To show why it would be the better government. Repeated criticism is unlikely to have this effect..  

On what may appear to be a completely unrelated topic -- although an informed public is is an essential part of a democracy -- I had a quick check through today's 1 News Now items. Of the 40-odd listed, Simon Bridges was mentioned once, Jacinda Adern and Government four times -- the same as Australian mentions--,six were on crime, and 14 were on sports and sports personalities. Umm!
-- ACW

Is Don Brash a Racist? Part II: Hobson's Pledge and all that

It is as well to remember that a relatively small number of Maori create the poor crime statistics. The overwhelming majority are not drug, alcohol, child or wife abusers. Many are successful in the arts, writing, entertainment, sports and in many areas of employment, making positive contributions to our society,  and many of these people -- if the  200,000  enrolment to vote on Maori roll  is any indication -- would not like to see the special provisions in the law removed. They represent about 70% of  Maori eligible to vote, and  they wish for a New Zealand and a Maori identity.

Reaction to his Orewa speech
Click to read. Pn36

Over recent years our race relations have seesawed up and down. Remarks from the likes of Mike Hosking  whose barely concealed racism and attacks on separatism haven't helped.  Neither has the dismissal of a charge made  against him to the Broadcasting Standards Authority. 

The BSA dismissed  the charge on the grounds that the "right to freedom of expression allowed individuals to express their opinion, even if it is unpopular or incorrect (sic!)". With which Don Brash would have approved.

Retiring Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias, on the other hand, is one of many who has warned of "civil disorder if New Zealand does not find a way of resolving the imbalance Maori and Pasifika suffer from in our justice system."  She is concerned with causes and consequences, not intent.

Don Brash and Hobson's Pledge have ignored these lessons from history which they say are no longer relevant and the consequences we see today that they say are none of their concern. One person has argued that Hobson's Pledge could be the support group "(threatened) the white, middle-class Kiwi man needs." Hum! 

But few things are black or white (no pun intended). Half truths often have some basis in fact, and a lot of appeal. Hobson's Pledge  say they have thousands of members and 91% of New Zealanders want one law for all. I'd certainly challenge the latter claim. 

Hobson's Choice claims there were no Treaty principles, nothing implying partnership or biculturalism, and the chiefs knew they were ceding sovereignty.1 This cannot be proved or disproved but most informed people think they are wrong. 

Denying partnership and bicultualism, they want all references to the Treaty removed from law and Maori boards, tribunals and the electoral seats  abolished. They deny Maori have any claim to coastal and fresh waters. They say compensation should only be paid on confiscated land; schools should not be bicultural, and any special assistance should be given on the basis of need not ethnicity. 

Such aims appear plausible only if you are un- or mis-informed, have a one-eyed view on the Treaty, deny the events that followed, and the present relations between Maori and Pakeha. 

They ignore the fact that the so-called Maori 'separatism' is taking nothing away from Pakeha. It is simply a method of delivery that gives Maori greater control over their own affairs. 

In considering the likely validity of argument we should ask who are these people who run Hobson's Pledge? What in their background and experience that says we should heed their argument?  Who are they?

The Hobson's Pledge Trust
Almost all have backgrounds in business ownership or management, one is an American who has been in NZ for ten years, one was a Rotorua Lakes councillor who opposed Te Arawa representation on the council,  two are writers who have written on Treaty issues for several years on such themes as "The Pakeha's treaty claims for equality", one is a university professor who claims present leniency (sic!) on Maori convicted for  crime will lead to more crime. Two were National Party politicians and one an unsuccessful candidate. It's most likely all vote National or Act.

Ten are men, four are women and one, Casey Costello, is the only Maori.  Of NgaPuhi, Irish/English descent she was a  police officer in South Auckland and is now a business owner.   

• She thinks Maori should, and can, follow her example. Her hard work led to her success ("I can achieve anything if I am prepared to work"). 
• No external intervention (Government restorative justice measures.-Ed.) can create equality of outcome. Again, hard work is the only way. 
• Only Maori leaders benefit from the special legislation, gaining massive wealth and influence while accountable to no one, while Iwi wealth is withheld from the needy.
• The poor Maori statistics show that 150 years of separatism have failed. 
• Everything wrong is blamed on a distortion of history, useful in justifying the grievance industry.
• Maori should stop complaining. Their ancestry is being used as an excuse for failure rather than as a motivation to succeed. 

The 'separatist' Kohanga Reo, Te Kura Kaupapa and Te Wananga o Aotearoa would agree with her final point.

It's not hard to see where she's coming from, and her  explanations and remedies will resonate with those of like mind, but they are too simple to explain complex causes or effects.

Good luck, Casey, and congratulations on your success, but many Maori would disagree, and not all can or would follow your road to success. This is what another Maori, Mihingarangi Forbes, had to say about Hobson's Pledge.

It is as well to remember that a relatively small number of Maori create the poor crime statistics. The overwhelming majority are not drug, alcohol, child or wife abusers. Many are successful in the arts, writing, entertainment, sports and in many areas of employment, making positive contributions to our society,  and many of these people -- if the 200,000  enrolment to vote on Maori roll is any indication -- would not like to see the special provisions in the law removed. They represent about 70% of  Maori eligible to vote, and  they wish for a New Zealand and a Maori identity. 

There goes for Hobson's PIedge claim that 91% support for their notion of equality. This is clearly not so among Maori.

Don Brash is a racist but ...
To conclude,I think Don Brash is a racist but of a special NZ kind that requires a new terminology. After all, he's well intended and well disposed towards Maori as individuals.

It's when Maori are considered as a group with a special place in NZ that he becomes obsessive and racist. His fixation with 'group Maori'  owes something to his failure to  put laws and events into the context of their time, totally ignoring past and present wrongs. He is concerned with intent, not with consequences. 

We may call him an unintended, non-consequential racist, or RUN for short. 

I'm sure he would say he is not a racist and one level  -- despite his advocacy of what some would call his anti-Maori policies --  he is not, hence my not calling him an outright racist.  But in popularising and spreading his truly divisive message he is creating a breeding ground for anti-Maori racism that is truly divisive and could become dangerous.

I close and rest my case with the  song Losing, written by Mike Donehey and others. You can listen to it here 
or keep on reading. 

See also notes and references after the song. The State Services Commission booklets are an excellent introduction to the Treaty.

Lord Forgive them. They know not what they do.
I can't believe what she said
I can't believe what he did
Oh, don't they know it's wrong
Don't they know it's wrong

Well maybe there's something I missed
But how could they treat me like this
It's wearing out my heart
The way they disregard

This is love or this is hate
We all have a choice to make
Oh, Father wont You forgive them
They don't know what they've been doin' (oh no)
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
'Cause I feel like the one losin'

Well it's only the dead that can live
But still I wrestle with this
To lose the pain that's mine
Seventy times seven times
'Cause Lord it doesn't feel right
For me to turn a blind eye
Though I guess it's not that much
When I think of what You've done

This is love or this is hate
We gotta a choice to make
Oh Father won't You forgive them
They don't know what they've been doin' (oh no)
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
'Cause I feel like the one losin'

Why do we think that our hate's gonna break a hard heart
We're rippin' arms over wars that don't need to be fought
'Cause pride wont let us lay our weapons on the ground
We build our bridges up but it's just to burn them down
We think our pain is own apologies and get them to stop
Well truth be told it doesn't matter if their sorry or not
'Cause freedom comes when we surrender to the sound
Of Your mercy and Your grace, Father, send Your angels down

Oh Father wont you forgive them
They don't know what they've been doin'
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
'Cause I feel like the one losin'

I feel like I've been losing
Oh Father wont you forgive them
They don't know what they've been doin'
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
'Cause I feel like the one losin'

I feel like I've been losing
Oh Father, give me grace to forgive them
'Cause I feel like the one losin'
-- ACW

NOTES

1. Hobson's Pledge also has its interpretation of the meaning the three Treaty articles. Ignoring later and more informed scholarship, especially that  by Dame Claudia Orange The Treaty of Waitangi (1987),  they refer only to the late Sir Hugh Kawharu's work, based on his Oxford doctoral thesis which was not informed by later discussions on the meaning of kawanatanga and rangatiratanga. 

It should also, perhaps, be mentioned that Ngati Whatua Sir Hugh opposed the occupation of Bastion Point and approved the forcible removal of protesters. His university office was close to mine and we argued the point on several occasions which others may have found strange. A Maori opposing Maori and a Pakeha opposing him. 

REFERENCES

James Ritchie Becoming Bicultural, 1992
Paul Spoonley, Racism and Ethnicity in  New Zealand Society. 1988 
State Services Commission, The Treaty of Waitangi series www.treatyofwaitangi.govt.nz, Books 1-3. 2004
A.C.Walsh, More and More Maoris.1971