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My apologies, a couple of good typos there. Funnily enough we didn't have Covid back in 2000, Covid 1999 sounds like a bad sci-fi.

Also the video didn't work so I've had to include a link to that instead.

Updated now.

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when ever I write, as in with my submission on the act...it disturbs me no matter how hard I try, re read and edit, hose dam typos stay there. It always has me smiling when I see the pros have the same hassle...........kinda like smiling when the other side of the bed snores. It's a human thang. Part of its being fast brain and passionate connector communicators............our brains and thoughts with the desire to connect is faster than our fingers. I once attempted to learn to touch type.............realising this could save a lot of pain........but I am too adhd for that..........that was like 20 years ago, or more. Been a lot of typed words since then...........................I was so honoured the other day when some red necked respondent of NZIsues discussion board accused me of psuedo intellectualism, and .....and this was the good part.........of using chatGPT...........now right there I knew was doing ok, and naughtily said, because I don't use it.....I naughtily said Chat GPT was for pussies. Which it isn't of course. Possibly in environments like that, longform writing, or being able to put more than one sentence together, or manage to connect more than one thought, that kinda writing is a hard to swallow pill, or what their mates don't do..............grunting machine gun like insults and responses that are mean't to be funny is the modus operandi......shallow as stuff in effect.

That being said, there are the grammar police present as well who seize on anything to put you down, superb egs. of gaslighting I have to say..............like typos, and a different writing style or sentence structure. They say shite like...........how did you ever teach kids, poor kids.............to which I reply, yup I was a music specialist teacher, but loved teaching kids to write.............without a red pen in my hand, and listening to the heart and meaning, not focused on the what was wrong, but what was right.

Typos as much as we hate them, are a part of who we are Nick, and I like who I am, I would not want to be them. and I am glad you are not them. i so love leaving out caps.......

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It really does annoy me that any media takes Curia poll at face value. They’re not even members of the Research Association of NZ any more. Totally untrustworthy.

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If only the mainstream media would wake up to the fact the real news nowadays comes from independent writers like you and others Nick. Breakfast, RNZ etc would all serve the country well by interviewing you and actually providing some alternative and factual views. There are economists, Bernard Hickey, Craig Renney etc able to explain concisely and accurately what is happening yet we never hear from them in a wider capacity. The MSM continues to use the same commentators and "reporters" with their vapid takes and their biased opinions in thrall to the right. Seymour in my view is an example of someone who has been provided a platform totally underserved and one which he has exploited with his warped view of what a Treaty actually signifies. Next time I negotiate my bank mortgage I intend to leave the bank out of the discussion and will instead poll the neighbours to gain their views of a new interest rate. If one signatory can be excluded from a treaty/contract -Te Tiriti - then surely this can apply in the instance I quote.

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An excellent analogy, Mac. 🙂

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Good one Mac and good luck with that :)

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“Too uninformed.” Welcome to my American nightmare. It won’t stop them from having an opinion though.

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The fact that our media publish a discredited Curi poll speaks volumes about media credibility

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It doesn't matter what's discredited or not. The media's modus operandi is getting the subliminal message out there, just to set a little uncertainty in the minds of a mostly disengaged society, which will take what they see as gospel. We have to remember John, our media wouldn't lie to us, or try to sway our opinions, would they? 🤔🤔😂😂

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I have little faith in referendums. They can be populist, as this one would definitely be. Look at the referendum on The Voice in Australia last year, which was lost. Proposed by a Labor Government and mild in its proposition : "The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples". Not specific seats, not a Treaty, not any rights except making representation. Yet, it was horrible. And divisive. Brought out all the Pauline Hansen fear mongers ; and Australia, to its shame voted it down.

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and Atlas was big as in there in OZ Darien with The Voice, as they are with this mob in government, and this bill and so much more of this COC 's actions in power. Right out of the Atlas playbook. Here's a coule of long listens...but good ones. This is what we are in the grip of.

https://youtu.be/Wtro43Y961Y?si=aTf0mObd1M5SoeIo

https://youtu.be/DgLi2k0EICQ?si=MP4ivldVgiE5vixM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11cpcjc7RMQ&t=1726s

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Seen those ; big fan of BHN.

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Me three!

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Thanks ; will listen.

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Kia Ora Nick, great reasoning and examples regarding why the people should not be trusted.

I 100% tautoko.

The person polled saying yes she would vote for it but had no ideas why - well that kinda summed up much of the constituency and then the older generation esp male in my experience who have been suckling on the ‘we are equal’ rhetoric and most likely wouldn’t have a clue about the history of NZ, because they didn’t lose anything - like culture and land. It just shows that ignorance will win out if Act get their referendum.

I loved the ladies who Seyless tried to shoo away - Kia kaha ladies. Heroes you are!

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Weren't they awesome! Heroes indeed, loved that. 🙂

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I agree with most of what you say, but as a member of the "older generation" I disagree. You'd be surprised just how many of us were there at the Hikoi in Wellington, as an example. Nick's article got me thinking about a couple of amendments I must make to my submission on the TPB before I submit it today! I don't trust Luxon not to let this stupid bill go to referendum, and I have the same fears about that as NIck does! And I attended an Interest Group at my local U3A so that I could learn more about Te Tiriti when it came time to write my submission, too!

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Morena Nick. Firstly, I'm so sorry you have had a drop in New subscribers and that you have lost subscribers. Your newsletters are invaluable in providing a different perspective on a whole range of issues and I've said this before and I'll say it again, subscribing to Nick's Korero was the best thing I have ever done. You have given me the confidence to share my whakaaro on issues that are important to me, and for that I thank you.

Now, back to the newsletter.

I saw these results last night while watching BHN, (that's because I can't be arsed watching mainstream media anymore) and the fact that there seems to be a large percentage of people who say they don't know enough about the Treaty Principles Bill is to me really concerning and actually bloody frightening.

I won't assume that everyone in that percentage of people don't know enough about it, maybe they have no been given the confidence to make up their own mind, or they are succumbing to peer pressure. But what is really concerning is that a lot of these people listen to absolute bullshit and won't take the time to get off their arses and do their own research to make an informed decision.

This bill is despicable and a referendum is NOT what Aotearoa needs.

Sorry for the rant. /

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Well said Josephine. It was a great little rant.

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Keep it coming Nick - we desperately need you!!

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I can’t remember wheee it was, possibly your writing? But it made it abundantly clear this (non) issue should be decided by qualified persons. Not the general public. You can’t just opt out of an international Treaty, or change it to make your own position more favourable. And yes…eff you Seymour, you revolting racist twerp.

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Today's oxymoron, "Seymour's principles".

We have three very large problems regarding voting for referendums, local body and/or government in our country these days.

1) There is an increasing population who will just vote for more money, no matter who offers it or the cost to society as a whole, so long as they benefit.

2) A lack of education among those who would possibly appreciate and embrace a culturally sensitive approach, (as with Covid which increased the vaccination uptake considerably) to explain how their vote helps to decide how it affects the future of our country.

3) To some degree, education as above, for those who feel their vote isn't worth casting because "the bastards will do what they want anyway". Convincing them that the future lies in their hands is a tough task, but worth a try.

Along these lines, I sent a slogan I made up to Chippy a few days ago. Whether it sees the light of day is irrelevant but I believe it is true. " If you don't vote, you get the government you deserve, not necessarily the one you want or need".

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Seymour and principles ...that's the oxymoron of the week Nick :/ I watched The Working Group's final show this morning and thought yet again what an odious punchable little man Seymour truly is and he's the only NZ politician who consistently gives me this visceral reaction! ... Luxon et al cause revulsion but Seymour brings out something much darker in me!

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I am sorry that, and yes I do see it across other writers as well, I am sorry that people leave supporting you Nick. It may be complicated for others or ideeologically driven, who knows. I know emotional connection sustains adherence to a brand in marketing speak. I feel emotionally connected here, from your side as being an open and honest human, and my offerings I bring to the tepu. Playing the merchandise game would be a pain in the butt when all you want to do is write………….but I would gladly wear a T Shirt, or drink coffee from a mug while reading. I would would imagine that the profit margin on merchandise could be minimal compared to the effort input, and also it might not be your cup of T at all…………..but there is merit there. Building a base on more than just the words………….and maybe there could be peeps who feel passionate about what you do, that it becomes an organism (had to be very careful what I wrote there LOL) that works together for base need and desire of getting the word out.

Back to the article and the polls.

I can see within my own circles and cheeky talks to people, that many latch on to one little catch cry for the referendum, that scratches over their bias or perception of inequity………..(prejudice)and Atlas and Seymour have plenty of trite and seemingly reasonable catch cries……….people don’t go any deeper or into the nuances, they support it right there on that face value touching their perception or prejudicial based experience and view.

I am seeing and hearing that time and time again………….and we with no money can’t run the huge adds in papers like Hobson’s Pledge and The Tax Payers Union.

Which could be a case in point……….like….ohhh this is what the taxpayers union is saying thinks average jo and joe public…..uhhhh I am a taxpayer, this is from our union……errrrr this bill must be good …………and so it goes.

And it is that simple and shallow, and so so wrong at that simple level.

Good on the unions with their adds, the real unions.

I am wondering how we can be a BIG AS presence……….it ain’t here with the converted…………….hmmmmm. I wonder what the psychology of shifting an opinion or mindset when encountering an opposing view is. What needs to happen for change? There must be research around that……..and some path to follow.

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I posed a question in a comment below, wondering how do we change views and entrenched opinions about such a thing as the Treaty Principles Bill, what is the psychological base for any kind of action we take in our interactions in life with others or on social media. As Nick says, people will support the bill without feeling a need to get into the nuances and deeper levels of understandings around it.

I wondered...........

What do we do to counter act this in the current polarised political climate here in GodZone and globally and stretching back to Covid anti vax positions, and parliament protests.

So on that journey and thought, I google, and here is the the AI response. And it definitely hilights what the experience and mission is....and the short answer is.........it will take cunning.

Google Quoted:

There are a number of psychological factors that make it difficult to change deeply held opinions, including:

Cognitive dissonance

This is the feeling of discomfort that arises when holding inconsistent beliefs. People may try to rationalize their decisions, or deny or downplay new information to avoid changing their worldview.

Belief perseverance

This is the tendency to stick to initial beliefs, even when presented with contradictory information.

Identity

People may identify so strongly with their opinions that challenging them feels like an attack on their identity. Redefining their identity to accept a new opinion can be difficult.

Brain activity

When challenged, the amygdala, the part of the brain that processes emotions, activates as if the person is in danger. This can make it difficult to consider other points of view.

Socialization

Worldviews, including opinions and beliefs, are formed during childhood and reinforced by social groups, media, and how the brain functions.

GoogleUnquote:

It's a challenge.

I wonder about the role of 'the arts' in all this, and my flags flying in the top paddock. We have to think outside the if we always do what we have always done box........

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But...but...but...I went to one of Seymour's street corner meetings in October this year and the question was asked of him "would there be a general referendum on the Treaty Principals Bill?". He replied "No, because it's too difficult to get the numbers up to 10% of the voting population. It would be voted on in Parliament".

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Would love to stoke a referendum to disband Hobsons Pledge & Atlas Network, namely any ties to a countries political interference!

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