As a white European married with Māori whanau I have so much Aroha in my heart and soul. Democracy allows our views to be heard and honoured. I feel so much pride in the peaceful hikoi moving toward parliament. Let the world see that we are more than the racist haters who want to keep the foot on the throat of Māori and their democratic rights. There is strength in our numbers but our work is not done. The next six months will see Seymour and his crew spread falsehoods and hate to radically divide NZ. Kia kaha!
Sadly this really is Aotearoa's Trump moment. My soul is fed by Nick's korero and my mind is kept alert by Mountain Tui and G News. But when I wander into other spaces I see the bigotry and racism that surrounds us. Seymour's rhetoric repeated by the likes of NewsTalk ZB is causing fear and fear makes people do dumb shit. I dont know how we can stop this. But I do know we have to keep fighting.
In 1981, that bigotry came out from under "good manners" But we got there and I for one began thinking it was not enough to care about racism overseas....I needed to look at my own society. I live in hope!!! Thanks to wonderful rangatahi.
Just beauty Nick. It's hard to describe the feelings eh? To see our coming together as a nation on the Hikoi and in Parliament from Labour/Greens/TPM. To have the pic of our youngest MP Hana-Rawhiti Mapi-Clarke zooming around the world gives me so much pride. And now silly David Seymour is reduced to calling the Haka "thuggery" and that silly old ACT farmer whathisname saying Parliament were acting like "Barnyard Animals." Meanwhile, in America, well sigh. Let's not talk about Trump today. I feel the revolutionary blood in me rising again!
There is a personal upside to Seymour's nastiness. As an old white guy, I've taken to time to read much more widely on the issue and it's become even clearer to me. The Treaty gave my ancestors the right to come here and the right to settle. End of story. I'm here thanks to the Māori who entered into a contract. If Seymour scraps that contract for something else - then he scraps my right to be here. That why I selfishly Honour the Treaty.
One of your best, Nick. I hope the broadcast of yesterday's Parliamentary Haka across the globe brings a great deal of embarrassment and shame on Seymour and Luxon. Luxon had the chance to kill the Bill before it was even introduced. I imagine a number of APEC leaders will be asking difficult questions he will have to answer.
I have, of course, penned a letter to the Herald which I include below, but to get the drift of it, it will mean looking up the letters page. I apologise deeply for any inconvenience and stress anyone feels by doing so. No doubt some results may vary.
Great to hear a bit of soul music this morning, just the thing to start the day off well. Letter is below........have a great day 😊
What Alan Walker, and no doubt others, see as appalling and childish behaviour in Parliament, undermining the democratic process, I see in a different light altogether. Democracy allows anyone to speak their mind, stand for whatever they believe is true and right, and defend that right to express it in their own cultural way. What I saw mostly was a venting of nearly 200 years frustration and anger of a proud people having their culture, spirituality, sovereignty and mana eroded by self entitled others who introduced imported systems of laws and governance that diminish the hopes and aspirations Maori have for themselves, without any thought or conscience of the influence or outcomes for our indigenous people. I, for one, applaud the stand Te Pati Maori took and was delighted to see it broadcast across the globe so the myth of racial harmony, togetherness and happiness in AotearoaNZ could finally be disabused. This action has been a long time coming, may the message it sent be heard loud and clear in our own country.
Dear Nick, love today’s epistle even more than usual! I agree with the very good response by Jeremy today, in all its detail! I applaud the courage of Hana-Rawhiti in her starring role yesterday too,! Let’s keep this outburst firing!!
Thanks for your response Judith. Hana-Rawhiti shows huge potential. I certainly wouldn't want her to be yelling at me! Very gutsy for one so young and new to the corridors of power. She should go a long way. Did you read Alan Walker's letter?. It couldn't go unchallenged😡😡
I talked to a person close to politics who said we in Wellington might think this is empowering, but in places further away like Invercargill or Central Otago it will drive more voters to the right - to Act. I disagreed. This is a whole new demographic change happening in NZ.
Yes and no, while it brings all that we love about being in a partnership with Māori into focus for some Pakeha, others will double-down. I saw this happen on a non-political social media site yesterday where someone posted about the march and the reaction was quite vitriolic from many. And it feeds into the swing to the right which is occuring in some demographics anyway.
They have a way to go and have shown themselves to value the individual above the community in environment issues as well as recognising Te Tiriti....but though noisy they are not the whole community. We need to support our friends down south.
I believe the impetus and the call for unity by Kingi Tuheitia soon after the election has been important at the heart of this movement. The leadership and organization skills of the organizers is extraordinary. This movement is heart led and heart felt.
Excellent & emotive piece Nick, recent Seymour inspired attempts to diminish Te Tititi to nothing really brings home the true meaning of colonialism & the long term effects on Maori.
Another point, Luxton may say that the MMP environment meant he had to keep his word for the Treaty Bill to go to first reading but he does not have to keep to a 6 month select committee time before the second reading. He can, & should, shorten that.
Absolutely tautoko this, as a descendant of Otago early settlers, gold miners and farmers I didn’t have the benefit of your early exposure to Te Ao Maori. I’ve lived, recognised that deficiency, and playing catch up!
Either Mr 8% is woefully ignorant of his own country or he is maliciously stirring up conflict to suit an agenda we can only speculate about. Either way he is not fit to be in Parliament
This made my heart nearly burst…. Thank you for sharing all those uplifting quotes , I deleted x last year. I urge everyone to write to David.seymour@ parliament.govt.nz … I had a very nauseous interaction with him earlier this week. He replied a couple of times, including this one after I talked to him about health inequalities ( I’m a public health researcher)
No it’s me, and if you knew anything about public health you would know that the only way all Māori could be disadvantaged is if we were genetically inferior, I am sure (or at least I hope) you don’t think that. There is no commonality that we exclusively share but our genes. You really are a treat and I’ve enjoyed our discussion.
He needs to know how we all feel and after all, we are paying his salary.
Yes, unity is alive and well in Heretaunga. Wonderful scenes as the carkoi came through Flaxmere last evening, and looking forward to a massive gathering at the activation in half an hour. Really pleased to be introduced to Robert Cray - a cool thinking dude! Nga mihi
It is so heartening to read your words and those of your other subscribers. It’s really hard not to feel enormous anger and fear about the fact this could even get to the first reading. So it definitely brings comfort and reassurance when you realise there are many like-minded humans out there ❤️
I feel blessed seeing the hikoi bringing all good fair minded kiwis together. The power of this peaceful march has more power than any military force. Today is a good day for humans. I hope Seymour and his ilk disappear back into black shadows they came from🤗❤️
Agree with you on all points Nick. However Seymour is Machiavellian to the nth degree. In his own words in Parliament at the first reading “if this bill doesn’t pass in this term, it will pass in a future one”. He is fracturing the National party to increase support for Act. A percentage probably teeter on the brink anyway. If he can get not much more than a 1/3 or so Nats to flip, he could be the major right party. Then it’s all on. He doesn’t care about the consequences one bit. This is his wedge issues and he could well succeed. Weak leadership in National has lead to this.
Yes, I fear that he is trying to replace the grumpy old white men (who are dying off) with angry young white men who drive Ford Rangers - really hoping he never gets the numbers
I agree. Although in my neighbourhood the Rangers are more than likely owned by Polynesian or Filipina families. Which is a good sign that policies to give equal opportunity are working and immigrants work hard. I wish they’d not buy them, but status is a big cultural thing.
Once again, spot on. So very uplifted by this one. I'm in Oz for a week and frustrated not to be marching. In the absence any leadership from the PM, could we work to undermine the submission process for the Bill? A boycott maybe; just completely ignore it and set up a parallel process celebrating all that is best about our relationship and how to build a positive future.
As a white European married with Māori whanau I have so much Aroha in my heart and soul. Democracy allows our views to be heard and honoured. I feel so much pride in the peaceful hikoi moving toward parliament. Let the world see that we are more than the racist haters who want to keep the foot on the throat of Māori and their democratic rights. There is strength in our numbers but our work is not done. The next six months will see Seymour and his crew spread falsehoods and hate to radically divide NZ. Kia kaha!
Sadly this really is Aotearoa's Trump moment. My soul is fed by Nick's korero and my mind is kept alert by Mountain Tui and G News. But when I wander into other spaces I see the bigotry and racism that surrounds us. Seymour's rhetoric repeated by the likes of NewsTalk ZB is causing fear and fear makes people do dumb shit. I dont know how we can stop this. But I do know we have to keep fighting.
In 1981, that bigotry came out from under "good manners" But we got there and I for one began thinking it was not enough to care about racism overseas....I needed to look at my own society. I live in hope!!! Thanks to wonderful rangatahi.
Just beauty Nick. It's hard to describe the feelings eh? To see our coming together as a nation on the Hikoi and in Parliament from Labour/Greens/TPM. To have the pic of our youngest MP Hana-Rawhiti Mapi-Clarke zooming around the world gives me so much pride. And now silly David Seymour is reduced to calling the Haka "thuggery" and that silly old ACT farmer whathisname saying Parliament were acting like "Barnyard Animals." Meanwhile, in America, well sigh. Let's not talk about Trump today. I feel the revolutionary blood in me rising again!
There is a personal upside to Seymour's nastiness. As an old white guy, I've taken to time to read much more widely on the issue and it's become even clearer to me. The Treaty gave my ancestors the right to come here and the right to settle. End of story. I'm here thanks to the Māori who entered into a contract. If Seymour scraps that contract for something else - then he scraps my right to be here. That why I selfishly Honour the Treaty.
Can absolutely relate to your experience and the outcome.
One of your best, Nick. I hope the broadcast of yesterday's Parliamentary Haka across the globe brings a great deal of embarrassment and shame on Seymour and Luxon. Luxon had the chance to kill the Bill before it was even introduced. I imagine a number of APEC leaders will be asking difficult questions he will have to answer.
I have, of course, penned a letter to the Herald which I include below, but to get the drift of it, it will mean looking up the letters page. I apologise deeply for any inconvenience and stress anyone feels by doing so. No doubt some results may vary.
Great to hear a bit of soul music this morning, just the thing to start the day off well. Letter is below........have a great day 😊
What Alan Walker, and no doubt others, see as appalling and childish behaviour in Parliament, undermining the democratic process, I see in a different light altogether. Democracy allows anyone to speak their mind, stand for whatever they believe is true and right, and defend that right to express it in their own cultural way. What I saw mostly was a venting of nearly 200 years frustration and anger of a proud people having their culture, spirituality, sovereignty and mana eroded by self entitled others who introduced imported systems of laws and governance that diminish the hopes and aspirations Maori have for themselves, without any thought or conscience of the influence or outcomes for our indigenous people. I, for one, applaud the stand Te Pati Maori took and was delighted to see it broadcast across the globe so the myth of racial harmony, togetherness and happiness in AotearoaNZ could finally be disabused. This action has been a long time coming, may the message it sent be heard loud and clear in our own country.
Dear Nick, love today’s epistle even more than usual! I agree with the very good response by Jeremy today, in all its detail! I applaud the courage of Hana-Rawhiti in her starring role yesterday too,! Let’s keep this outburst firing!!
Thanks for your response Judith. Hana-Rawhiti shows huge potential. I certainly wouldn't want her to be yelling at me! Very gutsy for one so young and new to the corridors of power. She should go a long way. Did you read Alan Walker's letter?. It couldn't go unchallenged😡😡
Tautoko o korero pou te kaha. 💜💜
Tena koe Moekauri ❤️
I talked to a person close to politics who said we in Wellington might think this is empowering, but in places further away like Invercargill or Central Otago it will drive more voters to the right - to Act. I disagreed. This is a whole new demographic change happening in NZ.
Yes and no, while it brings all that we love about being in a partnership with Māori into focus for some Pakeha, others will double-down. I saw this happen on a non-political social media site yesterday where someone posted about the march and the reaction was quite vitriolic from many. And it feeds into the swing to the right which is occuring in some demographics anyway.
That is why it is important for pakeha to be seen standing with tangata whenua so its not just a "native" protest
They have a way to go and have shown themselves to value the individual above the community in environment issues as well as recognising Te Tiriti....but though noisy they are not the whole community. We need to support our friends down south.
I believe the impetus and the call for unity by Kingi Tuheitia soon after the election has been important at the heart of this movement. The leadership and organization skills of the organizers is extraordinary. This movement is heart led and heart felt.
Well said Nick. We cheered at the actions in Parliament, the only place that this bill should be going is through the shredder.
🤭😁That was my favourite part - at the start when the Bill was ripped in half & thrown to the floor 💪🖤❤️
Excellent & emotive piece Nick, recent Seymour inspired attempts to diminish Te Tititi to nothing really brings home the true meaning of colonialism & the long term effects on Maori.
Another point, Luxton may say that the MMP environment meant he had to keep his word for the Treaty Bill to go to first reading but he does not have to keep to a 6 month select committee time before the second reading. He can, & should, shorten that.
I forgot to add that it has become more noticeable that there is a connection between Te Tiriti, Colonialism & Abuse in State Care.
Beautifully written Nick - I agree with every word. I wonder if Luxon will man up and face the hīkoi on Tuesday? or cue his usual oma rāpeti!
Absolutely tautoko this, as a descendant of Otago early settlers, gold miners and farmers I didn’t have the benefit of your early exposure to Te Ao Maori. I’ve lived, recognised that deficiency, and playing catch up!
Either Mr 8% is woefully ignorant of his own country or he is maliciously stirring up conflict to suit an agenda we can only speculate about. Either way he is not fit to be in Parliament
Totally agree Tess!!
This made my heart nearly burst…. Thank you for sharing all those uplifting quotes , I deleted x last year. I urge everyone to write to David.seymour@ parliament.govt.nz … I had a very nauseous interaction with him earlier this week. He replied a couple of times, including this one after I talked to him about health inequalities ( I’m a public health researcher)
No it’s me, and if you knew anything about public health you would know that the only way all Māori could be disadvantaged is if we were genetically inferior, I am sure (or at least I hope) you don’t think that. There is no commonality that we exclusively share but our genes. You really are a treat and I’ve enjoyed our discussion.
He needs to know how we all feel and after all, we are paying his salary.
Yes, unity is alive and well in Heretaunga. Wonderful scenes as the carkoi came through Flaxmere last evening, and looking forward to a massive gathering at the activation in half an hour. Really pleased to be introduced to Robert Cray - a cool thinking dude! Nga mihi
It is so heartening to read your words and those of your other subscribers. It’s really hard not to feel enormous anger and fear about the fact this could even get to the first reading. So it definitely brings comfort and reassurance when you realise there are many like-minded humans out there ❤️
I feel blessed seeing the hikoi bringing all good fair minded kiwis together. The power of this peaceful march has more power than any military force. Today is a good day for humans. I hope Seymour and his ilk disappear back into black shadows they came from🤗❤️
Agree with you on all points Nick. However Seymour is Machiavellian to the nth degree. In his own words in Parliament at the first reading “if this bill doesn’t pass in this term, it will pass in a future one”. He is fracturing the National party to increase support for Act. A percentage probably teeter on the brink anyway. If he can get not much more than a 1/3 or so Nats to flip, he could be the major right party. Then it’s all on. He doesn’t care about the consequences one bit. This is his wedge issues and he could well succeed. Weak leadership in National has lead to this.
Yes, I fear that he is trying to replace the grumpy old white men (who are dying off) with angry young white men who drive Ford Rangers - really hoping he never gets the numbers
I agree. Although in my neighbourhood the Rangers are more than likely owned by Polynesian or Filipina families. Which is a good sign that policies to give equal opportunity are working and immigrants work hard. I wish they’d not buy them, but status is a big cultural thing.
It's very like Trump and the Republicans.
Once again, spot on. So very uplifted by this one. I'm in Oz for a week and frustrated not to be marching. In the absence any leadership from the PM, could we work to undermine the submission process for the Bill? A boycott maybe; just completely ignore it and set up a parallel process celebrating all that is best about our relationship and how to build a positive future.
Not sure where you are but I saw a protest advertised yesterday for the Gold Coast, I imagine there might be others in Aus?