Agree totally with your Seymour comments Nick he truly is a Maori bashing egotist. For those who believe National don't agree with Seymour the Weasel Brown on Breakfast this morning put paid to that. They will support the Maori bashing alright while pretending they don't. Would like to hear some opinion from their back benchers who we never see or hear any comment from.
I think they will support it further, some weasel words about changes to the bill now making it more acceptable will be fed to the public and off it will go to the second reading and acceptance. What the coalition has failed to grasp is that we’re not going to stand by and let them rip this country apart, destroy our environment, and undermine the decades of progress made in redressing the dishonourable deeds towards Tangata Whenua.
Great turnout in Ōtautahi and some of the most fantastic speakers I've seen at a protest. A simple, genuinely inclusive, message was the key. Te Tiriti is for all of us.
well said Quentin. Early on in my teaching career and 1982, I attended so many workshops around te tiriti. It was part of the renaissance in education, te reo, te tiriti........correct pronunciation etc. I was a tad resistant in my 25yr old iborn again gnorance, thinking it was all a communist plot to divide us.......(embarrassed), but I came around when it was shared that very thing you mention. Te Tiriti gives me a rightful place here too..................a perspective the dipshit SeyLess and cronies and populist followers seem to have missed. Te Tiriti is for all of us. And the kaupapa of the hikoi is that, and more. They will do it without us if they have too. They have been ignored mostly for over 100 years. It wasn't perfect, but successive governments had worked of getting it right, and better for tangata whenua, some attempts at justice and redress. Poooooohffff, (as in goneburger pooofff) and SeyLess destroys all that mahi.....and research.
🖤❤️👍💯Loved the whole thing - especially the tamariki doing waiata in support of speakers ( & before everything got underway 😍) Lots of good inspiring messaging, but the one I wrote down to keep in mind is that Tiriti o Waitangi was simply & completely a "constitutional relationship agreement" between the majority tangata whenua & those who wished to come & live beside them from other places.
well said Cindy. and the very simple and undeniable truth of it. i like Nick's point that you would think ACT and peeps would want that kind of legal 'honouring'.
Suddenly thought of Dr Stangelove for Musk. I have had a a variety of thoughts for Seymore, many in the mustelid group, but as google tells me that the most vicious mustelid is the long-tailed weasel which is mostly a solitary animal.
While reading today's Korero I was reminded of Shane Jones and his approach to the sanctity of this land, which I believe plays a big role in the spirit of the Hikoi heading to the Beehive. He has absolutely no empathy with his own people or country, ( a bit like Musk and Trump for the US), and will be given licence to destroy not only the physical land and seascape, but the image of AotearoaNZ as a safe haven for its unique and diverse fauna and flora. Surprisingly, I have just sent a letter to the Herald to vent my feelings about it, so thought I would let you read it first.
Sad news indeed about the demise of Timothy West and Shihad, for different reasons, obviously but both will be missed.
Letter below. Have a lovely day folks😊
I find Shane Jones's comments that "no random frog or multi coloured skink" will stop him from pushing through a bill which will lead to the extinction of already threatened, unique wildlife, utterly deplorable. I would like to think that Tama Potaka, as Minister of Conservation, would remind Jones of the Maori concept of Te Papa Atawhai, the preservation of natural and historical heritage, when he makes his outrageous statements about how much better off AotearoaNZ will be through selling the souls of Maoritanga and Kaitiakitanga to the highest bidders by destroying the very land and everything within, which these beliefs and traditions were born of.
Will Potaka remind Jones of his responsibility to his heritage and people or will he allow the destruction of the land and sea for the sake of a few dollars, go ahead? If so, they should hang their heads in shame and incur the wrath of Maoridom in general, for being traitors to the First Nation keepers of this land.
Kia ora Jeremy, I chuckled (a sad chuckle) at your comment re Tama Potaka reminding Shane Jones…I cannot imagine Shane Jones would appreciate any advice/quiet word from a ‘junior’ politician, despite Tama’s mana and integrity. I sadly doubt that Tama can influence the maori players in the coalition who are marching to the drumbeat of capitalism - hell bent on dismantling Te Tiriti and destroying the environment for profit.
thanks Nick, excellent kupu. Lovely to see and hear from Marama. That is the light we need. I will be gladly re subbing next year and for the $100. Aotearoa needs your voice and those of others like you out there. This read has made my day. It has given me hope, from laughter around Musk, the assessment of the hikoi, and the truth about it's peace and purpose, the video of Tim and his wife and the love that is there, the photo of Marama, and the simplicity of what the hikoi is all about...........so yeah dude. Thank you.
Beautifully said! I’m currently not able to work but this is the best use of my savings. As I am sure I have written before Nick, your column keeps me sane and reminds me I’m not alone in the nightmare collective strength will change.
I was just going to write something similar so thanks for that well expressed comment. Our addition would be, having had breast cancer, and being lucky with no spread, I wish to send aroha to Marama. Her dignity shines. We are having our 60th in May, and we loved that canal series with Tim and Sue. As for Seymour, he is a snake imo. Surely people will be turned off the egotistical attitudes displayed by Musk? Just as the obvious unity aroha and determination of all supporting Te Tiriti showed we value our community and honour our agreements and don't want them rewritten by an acolyte of Atlas, and shame shame shame Luxon, for your underhand agreement and CoC of spite. (As your treatment of Latele of the Butterbean foodbank who had the temerity to sign a Maori Language Petition and you showed your true colours when you cut him out of Government donations.) Thanks again Mck Rd Cr and Nick.
Well said Patricia, and thanks for seeing me....I know it's not just me, but the noise in the world and the crushing advance of everything that isn't you, or on your pages........it gets heavy doesn't it. Mōrehu means survivor in te reo. That is you. And I love the term for Marama, and we can think of recent elections and our own politicians that 'her dignity shines' fits. What a cool description, that don't fit Collins, Stanford or Willis LOL
As a kid I used to watch canal drams and docos, Swallows And Amazons time frame........and have been drawn to and envious of that lifestyle my whole life.
The nearest we got to canal life was a motorhome called "Buzzing Along" with a number plate our boys bought us TRVLNB for the travelling Bremners lol!! Our first 5 years of retirement we look back on as wonderful. We mixed travel with visits to family and friends, and some house sitting for our Dr. A great life.
Nice memories…………I am such a home body, partly economic, but partly where my missions lie, and my ineptitude to get shite done……….but I love home and would be the worst traveller, walking around in a daze and exploring sideroads…………….safer to stay home a drink in the beauty of the back doorstep and environs around me……….but my heart, is a vagabond wander the road heart deep down. So I just take smaller journeys and on paths ignored perhaps. Oh for a motorhome. Thanks for sharing Patricia…..wonderful stuff.
Quote....Trump said in a statement that Musk and co-leader Vivek Ramaswamy “will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.”
Ohhh yeah, sure sounds familiar, straight out of the same playbook as Seymour for sure. Reading the piece, of a 'Battle already fought,' and yes here we are again. I agree Nick, Seymour is good at telling lies, which makes me wonder, is that the new normal that we must get used to in our world? His assertions that 'Everyone being equal,' I too agree with you, Hooey! (To word it politely)
Two words, Honour and mana. Seymour does not embody those two words. He, IMO, is without mana, or indeed honour. I have imagined over the years, if the Treaty was indeed truly honored within the intent of fairness, equity and equality, how would our country now be. Yet, still Maori have to continue to raise the flag, as you say, for a 'A battle already fought.'
I am a current subscriber and am very happy to remain one however the $8 is too reasonable and I would like the opportunity to pay the increase when it starts. Can you suggest how I can do this please? I am sure there are others that may wish to do this as well. Thanks Claire
Please be aware that if you do this, you get charged for the full year when you do it, which is reduced by any remaining subscription you've already paid for. Having thought about it, I can see why Substack made it like this, but it caught a couple of people by surprise when I suggested it a while back, and I didn't appreciate that it was the case.
2) The other alternative would be to unsubscribe after the price change or when your subscription comes up for renewal and resubscribe at the new rate.
I will send out full instructions at the time of the price change, but if you'd like to upgrade now, that's all good too 🙂
I'm also happy to continue to be a subscriber, and agree, the $8 is too reasonable. I have pledged to continue to subscribe up to the next election, looking forward to whats going to come out in the meantime.
🙋I think it was mentioned that you can pay the NEW rate after it comes into effect by cancelling your current one & then joining anew? Most other Substacks I have allow for extras like a higher tier sub (founding member or whatever) , or a Tip-jar within each article etc.
The grace with which Māori deal with this colonial bs is humbling. This is just another pathetic injustice heaped upon them and yet there is openness and integrity in the response. Truly beautiful… sad, but beautiful.
🫂 Sad about Timothy West - didn't realise he was married to Prunella Scales, but how delightful 😍 but of course now she is without him 😥🫂 I will have to see if I can watch the programme they made on the canals - now I am only following US politics via snippets instead of deep dives, I need something to fill in some of that time 😁
🖤❤️I have said many times, having watched my younger whanui emerge as the "kohanga generation" , Seymour cannot win, even if he thinks he has on paper. A speaker at the Otautahi activation yesterday said something to the effect that Maori leaders 50>60 years ago decided that the way forward was to get rangitahi into university & higher education in numbers, and I witness that combined with the kohanga generation coming through in their ability to clearly articulate, in both te reo & english, the lies & the truth of this despicable bill, and all the other despicable acts & omissions of the current govt policies. And they do it in a way that is both traditional & of today. So moved & so proud of those being a part of this movement across Aotearoa - from the kohanga kids doing the waiata in Otautahi, to the lone people standing on the roadside waving flags, or cars tooting support as they pass the hikoi.
💙Wonderful to see Marama 🖤❤️💪 Chloe is holding up the mana of the Greens brilliantly as well, along with the team (who don't get much cover in media) but hope she is well enough to return soon 🫂
👏Sapphi did a brilliant substack today on how Seymour is cracking down on school absence while forcing kids to be absent to attend the hikoi because of his anti-Maori legislation - reap what you sow eh? Of course they should be involved - it is THEIR future 💪
The saddest aspect of Seymour's behaviour is that he would be seen as a success story of colonisation by the colonisers. He's fully integrated to the point that everything that makes him Māori has been suppressed, obliterated, demolished, wrecked, to the point that he is completely unable to understand the views of his people, or to listen to any views other than his own.
Thanks Nick...so much aroha for Marama, Shihad, Timothy West.....and Aotearoa! Today there was a Whakatū Activation. Hundreds of people turned out (Whakatū is relatively conservative places, so this was amazing). The rain mostly held off. There were great speeches (one by a very young rangatahi who was so inspiring), waiata and haka from rangatahi. A couple of take-aways that resonated: "Governments come and go..Te Tiriti is for ever", and the wero to Tangata Tiriti to become educated and knowledgeable about the history of Aotearoa, and Te Tiriti, that one cannot be understood without the other, and then to engage with whanau and friends on this issue. We (Tangata Tiriti) have an obligation to do more to uphold our end of the partnership. And a very clear message to Christopher Luxon to Kill the Bill!
Thank you for that superb assortment. When we see the calibre of the people Trump is presently appointing to leadership roles we aren't quite there yet. ‘Watch this space’ not far off.
Agree totally with your Seymour comments Nick he truly is a Maori bashing egotist. For those who believe National don't agree with Seymour the Weasel Brown on Breakfast this morning put paid to that. They will support the Maori bashing alright while pretending they don't. Would like to hear some opinion from their back benchers who we never see or hear any comment from.
I must try and find a link to that.............I have been highly suss about whether they will support it further, and smelled a few rats there.
I think they will support it further, some weasel words about changes to the bill now making it more acceptable will be fed to the public and off it will go to the second reading and acceptance. What the coalition has failed to grasp is that we’re not going to stand by and let them rip this country apart, destroy our environment, and undermine the decades of progress made in redressing the dishonourable deeds towards Tangata Whenua.
Great turnout in Ōtautahi and some of the most fantastic speakers I've seen at a protest. A simple, genuinely inclusive, message was the key. Te Tiriti is for all of us.
well said Quentin. Early on in my teaching career and 1982, I attended so many workshops around te tiriti. It was part of the renaissance in education, te reo, te tiriti........correct pronunciation etc. I was a tad resistant in my 25yr old iborn again gnorance, thinking it was all a communist plot to divide us.......(embarrassed), but I came around when it was shared that very thing you mention. Te Tiriti gives me a rightful place here too..................a perspective the dipshit SeyLess and cronies and populist followers seem to have missed. Te Tiriti is for all of us. And the kaupapa of the hikoi is that, and more. They will do it without us if they have too. They have been ignored mostly for over 100 years. It wasn't perfect, but successive governments had worked of getting it right, and better for tangata whenua, some attempts at justice and redress. Poooooohffff, (as in goneburger pooofff) and SeyLess destroys all that mahi.....and research.
In fact Nick, this impacted me so much this morning, I shared the link and the end of my own stack today.
https://open.substack.com/pub/mckinleyrdcreatives/p/creativity-fascinates-me?r=2y6j9l&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
🖤❤️👍💯Loved the whole thing - especially the tamariki doing waiata in support of speakers ( & before everything got underway 😍) Lots of good inspiring messaging, but the one I wrote down to keep in mind is that Tiriti o Waitangi was simply & completely a "constitutional relationship agreement" between the majority tangata whenua & those who wished to come & live beside them from other places.
well said Cindy. and the very simple and undeniable truth of it. i like Nick's point that you would think ACT and peeps would want that kind of legal 'honouring'.
What a wrist wrestle in wretchedness - Seymour vs Musk?
Suddenly thought of Dr Stangelove for Musk. I have had a a variety of thoughts for Seymore, many in the mustelid group, but as google tells me that the most vicious mustelid is the long-tailed weasel which is mostly a solitary animal.
While reading today's Korero I was reminded of Shane Jones and his approach to the sanctity of this land, which I believe plays a big role in the spirit of the Hikoi heading to the Beehive. He has absolutely no empathy with his own people or country, ( a bit like Musk and Trump for the US), and will be given licence to destroy not only the physical land and seascape, but the image of AotearoaNZ as a safe haven for its unique and diverse fauna and flora. Surprisingly, I have just sent a letter to the Herald to vent my feelings about it, so thought I would let you read it first.
Sad news indeed about the demise of Timothy West and Shihad, for different reasons, obviously but both will be missed.
Letter below. Have a lovely day folks😊
I find Shane Jones's comments that "no random frog or multi coloured skink" will stop him from pushing through a bill which will lead to the extinction of already threatened, unique wildlife, utterly deplorable. I would like to think that Tama Potaka, as Minister of Conservation, would remind Jones of the Maori concept of Te Papa Atawhai, the preservation of natural and historical heritage, when he makes his outrageous statements about how much better off AotearoaNZ will be through selling the souls of Maoritanga and Kaitiakitanga to the highest bidders by destroying the very land and everything within, which these beliefs and traditions were born of.
Will Potaka remind Jones of his responsibility to his heritage and people or will he allow the destruction of the land and sea for the sake of a few dollars, go ahead? If so, they should hang their heads in shame and incur the wrath of Maoridom in general, for being traitors to the First Nation keepers of this land.
Kia ora Jeremy, I chuckled (a sad chuckle) at your comment re Tama Potaka reminding Shane Jones…I cannot imagine Shane Jones would appreciate any advice/quiet word from a ‘junior’ politician, despite Tama’s mana and integrity. I sadly doubt that Tama can influence the maori players in the coalition who are marching to the drumbeat of capitalism - hell bent on dismantling Te Tiriti and destroying the environment for profit.
You're probably right Janine. I can't imagine Jones taking advice from anyone..... but I can dream 😊😊😊
thanks Nick, excellent kupu. Lovely to see and hear from Marama. That is the light we need. I will be gladly re subbing next year and for the $100. Aotearoa needs your voice and those of others like you out there. This read has made my day. It has given me hope, from laughter around Musk, the assessment of the hikoi, and the truth about it's peace and purpose, the video of Tim and his wife and the love that is there, the photo of Marama, and the simplicity of what the hikoi is all about...........so yeah dude. Thank you.
You're most welcome, and thanks 🙂
Beautifully said! I’m currently not able to work but this is the best use of my savings. As I am sure I have written before Nick, your column keeps me sane and reminds me I’m not alone in the nightmare collective strength will change.
I was just going to write something similar so thanks for that well expressed comment. Our addition would be, having had breast cancer, and being lucky with no spread, I wish to send aroha to Marama. Her dignity shines. We are having our 60th in May, and we loved that canal series with Tim and Sue. As for Seymour, he is a snake imo. Surely people will be turned off the egotistical attitudes displayed by Musk? Just as the obvious unity aroha and determination of all supporting Te Tiriti showed we value our community and honour our agreements and don't want them rewritten by an acolyte of Atlas, and shame shame shame Luxon, for your underhand agreement and CoC of spite. (As your treatment of Latele of the Butterbean foodbank who had the temerity to sign a Maori Language Petition and you showed your true colours when you cut him out of Government donations.) Thanks again Mck Rd Cr and Nick.
Well said Patricia, and thanks for seeing me....I know it's not just me, but the noise in the world and the crushing advance of everything that isn't you, or on your pages........it gets heavy doesn't it. Mōrehu means survivor in te reo. That is you. And I love the term for Marama, and we can think of recent elections and our own politicians that 'her dignity shines' fits. What a cool description, that don't fit Collins, Stanford or Willis LOL
As a kid I used to watch canal drams and docos, Swallows And Amazons time frame........and have been drawn to and envious of that lifestyle my whole life.
The nearest we got to canal life was a motorhome called "Buzzing Along" with a number plate our boys bought us TRVLNB for the travelling Bremners lol!! Our first 5 years of retirement we look back on as wonderful. We mixed travel with visits to family and friends, and some house sitting for our Dr. A great life.
Nice memories…………I am such a home body, partly economic, but partly where my missions lie, and my ineptitude to get shite done……….but I love home and would be the worst traveller, walking around in a daze and exploring sideroads…………….safer to stay home a drink in the beauty of the back doorstep and environs around me……….but my heart, is a vagabond wander the road heart deep down. So I just take smaller journeys and on paths ignored perhaps. Oh for a motorhome. Thanks for sharing Patricia…..wonderful stuff.
Quote....Trump said in a statement that Musk and co-leader Vivek Ramaswamy “will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.”
Ohhh yeah, sure sounds familiar, straight out of the same playbook as Seymour for sure. Reading the piece, of a 'Battle already fought,' and yes here we are again. I agree Nick, Seymour is good at telling lies, which makes me wonder, is that the new normal that we must get used to in our world? His assertions that 'Everyone being equal,' I too agree with you, Hooey! (To word it politely)
Two words, Honour and mana. Seymour does not embody those two words. He, IMO, is without mana, or indeed honour. I have imagined over the years, if the Treaty was indeed truly honored within the intent of fairness, equity and equality, how would our country now be. Yet, still Maori have to continue to raise the flag, as you say, for a 'A battle already fought.'
Maybe we really have just seen the last US Election?
Ake Ake Ake. We've always had to fight and we will keep on.
I am a current subscriber and am very happy to remain one however the $8 is too reasonable and I would like the opportunity to pay the increase when it starts. Can you suggest how I can do this please? I am sure there are others that may wish to do this as well. Thanks Claire
Hi Claire,
Thanks for that. There are two ways you could do this:
1) Upgrade to a patron-level subscription here: https://nickrockel.substack.com/subscribe, which allows you to pay any amount from $120 annually.
Please be aware that if you do this, you get charged for the full year when you do it, which is reduced by any remaining subscription you've already paid for. Having thought about it, I can see why Substack made it like this, but it caught a couple of people by surprise when I suggested it a while back, and I didn't appreciate that it was the case.
2) The other alternative would be to unsubscribe after the price change or when your subscription comes up for renewal and resubscribe at the new rate.
I will send out full instructions at the time of the price change, but if you'd like to upgrade now, that's all good too 🙂
Thanks,
Nick.
I'm also happy to continue to be a subscriber, and agree, the $8 is too reasonable. I have pledged to continue to subscribe up to the next election, looking forward to whats going to come out in the meantime.
Yes, me too. I'd prefer to pay the new rate.
🙋I think it was mentioned that you can pay the NEW rate after it comes into effect by cancelling your current one & then joining anew? Most other Substacks I have allow for extras like a higher tier sub (founding member or whatever) , or a Tip-jar within each article etc.
'IDEAS FOR NICK"??? 🤷
Yes, there is a higher tier account, as I've mentioned in my comment above responding to Claire. Good thoughts, thanks, Cindy.
Great you were at the hikoi with all the whanau Aotearoa. I'll pay the $10. Keep writing! XX
The grace with which Māori deal with this colonial bs is humbling. This is just another pathetic injustice heaped upon them and yet there is openness and integrity in the response. Truly beautiful… sad, but beautiful.
🫂 Sad about Timothy West - didn't realise he was married to Prunella Scales, but how delightful 😍 but of course now she is without him 😥🫂 I will have to see if I can watch the programme they made on the canals - now I am only following US politics via snippets instead of deep dives, I need something to fill in some of that time 😁
🖤❤️I have said many times, having watched my younger whanui emerge as the "kohanga generation" , Seymour cannot win, even if he thinks he has on paper. A speaker at the Otautahi activation yesterday said something to the effect that Maori leaders 50>60 years ago decided that the way forward was to get rangitahi into university & higher education in numbers, and I witness that combined with the kohanga generation coming through in their ability to clearly articulate, in both te reo & english, the lies & the truth of this despicable bill, and all the other despicable acts & omissions of the current govt policies. And they do it in a way that is both traditional & of today. So moved & so proud of those being a part of this movement across Aotearoa - from the kohanga kids doing the waiata in Otautahi, to the lone people standing on the roadside waving flags, or cars tooting support as they pass the hikoi.
💙Wonderful to see Marama 🖤❤️💪 Chloe is holding up the mana of the Greens brilliantly as well, along with the team (who don't get much cover in media) but hope she is well enough to return soon 🫂
👏Sapphi did a brilliant substack today on how Seymour is cracking down on school absence while forcing kids to be absent to attend the hikoi because of his anti-Maori legislation - reap what you sow eh? Of course they should be involved - it is THEIR future 💪
The saddest aspect of Seymour's behaviour is that he would be seen as a success story of colonisation by the colonisers. He's fully integrated to the point that everything that makes him Māori has been suppressed, obliterated, demolished, wrecked, to the point that he is completely unable to understand the views of his people, or to listen to any views other than his own.
Thanks Nick...so much aroha for Marama, Shihad, Timothy West.....and Aotearoa! Today there was a Whakatū Activation. Hundreds of people turned out (Whakatū is relatively conservative places, so this was amazing). The rain mostly held off. There were great speeches (one by a very young rangatahi who was so inspiring), waiata and haka from rangatahi. A couple of take-aways that resonated: "Governments come and go..Te Tiriti is for ever", and the wero to Tangata Tiriti to become educated and knowledgeable about the history of Aotearoa, and Te Tiriti, that one cannot be understood without the other, and then to engage with whanau and friends on this issue. We (Tangata Tiriti) have an obligation to do more to uphold our end of the partnership. And a very clear message to Christopher Luxon to Kill the Bill!
Stuff says there were 2000 people in Whakatū today!!!
Thank you Nick, once again your words hit the spot.
I joined the hikoi for the day in Auckland and it was a beautiful crowd. Friendly, rowdy and resolute.
Kia kaha Marama if you are on here.
Thank you for that superb assortment. When we see the calibre of the people Trump is presently appointing to leadership roles we aren't quite there yet. ‘Watch this space’ not far off.