Thanks for the balanced assessment of Hooton on Hobson's Pledge, Nick.
I'm very pleased at the numbers of local authorities voting to retain their Maori wards. But they are not safe yet. Councils only have two options AFAIK - disestablish or hold a referendum. I wonder how many will exist after the 2025 local body elections (one has to 2028)?
The No Right Turn blog makes some very pertinent points:
"It's also worth noting that it's not big cities voting to retain - Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga and Porirua are yet to formally decide on the issue. Instead, the opposition is from provincial and rural councils - National's base. In Palmerston North, the mayor and all National councillors opposed the government. In the Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Council, the most vocal opponent was Jono Naylor, a former National MP. And the reason for this is simple: like the Māori seats, Māori wards work, and once they exist, everyone can see it. Which is I suspect what racist National was afraid of. "
Cornerstone of a progressive, liberal Democracy is free speech and tolerance. Fine. However, along with the megaphone that is the social internet, there is an urgent requirement to recognise where the line is between opinion which, is to be tolerated or not. Hate based opinion that causes harm such as racism, misogyny and violence must be called out. Opinion that denies factual reality is not an opinion, it is a lie. Liars need to be called out also.
Seymour calls our democracy a liberal democracy - his democracy is actually a blend of ultra conservative democracy / liberal democracy - I would suggest that a better fit for Aotearoa New Zealand is that we are a social democratic democracy.
Well, that has made my day! I wrote in defence of retaining the Māori Wards…and said to ffs not listen to racists telling you they should go. I sincerely hope more people see, as you say, that left or right…Māori deserve better!
BHN I think have got their perspective re Seymour wanting to create racism
for votes. If you know anything about the Atlas Network, Te Tiriti is on their agenda items - one of which is about marginalising indigenous people and stripping them of their rights.
Te Tiriti is along with Waitangi Tribunal decisions is perceived to be a threat to existing property rights, and is seen as an impediment to gaining access to resources.
Another agenda item of the Atlas Network is to enhance the wealth of the wealthy and to enhance property rights of those that have wealth. Te Tiriti may impede that agenda.
So yes the race card is there BHN but it’s the elephant in the room - maintaining property rights or enhancing property rights and getting access to resources are the real goals of the Treaty Principles Bill and Hobsons pledge. This is where Brash, Seymour, Luxon / Willis et al and the NZ Initiative (Damien Grant) and the NZ Taxpayers Union will have alignment!
Yes Paul, that is exactly why Seymore wants his treaty bill. He believes that the majority of voters in a referendum will vote for his version of The Treaty. This, of course, will severely reduce the power & authority of the Te Tiriri to safeguard NZ from extorsion from wealthy offshore investors. My advice to those concerned for NZ's future is to do some online research to see what Te Tiriri is about, how it is a living document that protects us all, Maori & Pakeha.
The terrible risk re the Treaty Bill is that the majority of people who would vote for the Bill (if it gets into law which it could despite Luxon’s stance) will be the great uniformed and pakeha ethnocentric, swayed by the propaganda that ACT, Nz Initiative, Nz Taxpayers Union, the Free Speech Union and Hobsons Pledge will propagate. If you are going to participate in democracy and vote for example in a referendum, you have to be informed and tragically so many people in Aotearoa NZ don’t inform themselves and run with the rhetoric of the day 🥲
My first sentence should have been…..BHB I think have got their perspective re Seymour wanting to create racism for votes partly correct but there is another reason and that’s the substantive reason. If you know…..
I'm very disappointed, but not surprised at all. Imagine being a recipient of that kind of nasty.
While going through some of my papers I came across a few favourites, (shared via FB). This one seems so apt for the times.
2002. Economist and thinker John Kenneth Glabraith, gave an interview.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest excercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.
👏🏾👍🏾Thanks for bringing the Hooton shellacking of the Hobson's Pledge agenda to my/our attention! Not something I would have been attracted to watching 🤷🏾♀️ It is heartwarming to think that right-wing clear-headed proponents have recognised that perhaps Maori-bashing and racist policies and rhetoric are turning people against their bigger agendas by association - it would be a bonus if we got an overall more rational & equitable ECONOMIC policy approach as a companion to the backlash against blatant racism. 😁
On a more sober note, it is some of MY whanau of all generations who are being targeted & denigrated, so while incidents like this are good to see, as is the Maori Ward backlash from Councils, the POLICIES the CoC is legislating can and will cause harm to health, welfare, and equitable futures for both young old 🤬unless they can be voted out ASAP & moderated in the short term - which is where the Hootons of the right might be of some use? 🤷🏾♀️
I had to pinch myself today to make sure I was awake. Not only Hooton but also Claire sniping at the right. Clairae was having a go at Bishop and Simeon over not being correct (or further right) on their infrastructure pipe dreams and the 30 year plan, which I thought was a bit optimistic for a government which has less than 30 months to achieve what they want. Hooton was, I must concede, very forthright in his attack on Hobson's Pledge misinformation and racism. I never thought I would see the day. It seems to me that New Zealanders in general are beginning to see the truth about what they voted for when in became apparent it was all built on lies and misplaced trust, and continues to do so. It also makes me wonder how the immigrant population feels now about the Shangri-La they were led to believe exists in these green and happy islands is rapidly becoming, for some, their biggest mistake. I also wonder (I do that a lot, as you can see), if, when he gets to the office on Monday, Hooton will still be employed. He has put himself right in the firing line for all the right reasons so deserves some credit from even his harshest critics. Will Claire be the next? We can forget about Audrey, she's a lost cause.
Hooton’s righteous indignation that Māori bashing will get the most right-wing government in recent history, full of possibilities of cheap underclass labour, privatisation, and oligarchy, unelected again. Priceless…
It's cool that some pushback against the nasties of Hobson's Pledge is happening. With all due respect to the big hairy guys, I would like to see the Hooton/Grant debate without the editorial interruptions. Is it available somewhere?
I agree - the interruptions are more distracting than informative. Shame it's not available unedited. It's a brilliant surprise to hear Hooton letting fly. He's occasionally written some good stuff in the Listener, which always takes me by surprise!
Friends of mind are wondering if Hooten had been given a green light from those in power who want to differentiate themselves from ACT. I'm deeply cynical I'm afraid about someone like Hooten having any pure motives for speaking out.
Great piece again, Nick..I love watching the BHN guys, so thank you for sharing. Hooten and the Dickhead:)). Whakatū council is voting on Māori Wards this week. Hopefully they will vote to keep Māori Wards and refute any necessity for a referendum...we'll see. But a simple action to take is to email your councillors to state that you are in favour of Māori Wards, and not in favour of a referendum. In Whakatū, the percentage of Tangata Whenua is 8.7% of the population. Despite its reputation as an arty destination...this is quite a conservative little enclave. The right-wing are mobilising by writing to the council in support of disbanding Māori Wards. Let's ensure that theirs is not the only voice to be heard.
On another, very happy, note, it's Saturday...and in this whare that means Nashville Babylon at 6pm!! Guaranteed to cheer you right up!! Currently listening to the 3 August programme......Seasick Steve, John Lee Hooker, Aretha Franklin, The Mighty Diamonds! Check it out people! Enjoy!
Thanks for the balanced assessment of Hooton on Hobson's Pledge, Nick.
I'm very pleased at the numbers of local authorities voting to retain their Maori wards. But they are not safe yet. Councils only have two options AFAIK - disestablish or hold a referendum. I wonder how many will exist after the 2025 local body elections (one has to 2028)?
I believe some councils are exploring legal options about not having a referendum. A lot of mayors came back from LGNZ conference very angry indeed!
True. That is the third option being explored.
The No Right Turn blog makes some very pertinent points:
"It's also worth noting that it's not big cities voting to retain - Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga and Porirua are yet to formally decide on the issue. Instead, the opposition is from provincial and rural councils - National's base. In Palmerston North, the mayor and all National councillors opposed the government. In the Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Council, the most vocal opponent was Jono Naylor, a former National MP. And the reason for this is simple: like the Māori seats, Māori wards work, and once they exist, everyone can see it. Which is I suspect what racist National was afraid of. "
No wonder after the PM gave them a big telling off about sticking to your knitting 🥺
Yes good that the the Māori wards have support in many places now. We mustn't forget they are still at risk.
I am disgusted with Upper Hutt City Council. I will look very closely at who I vote for next time.
Cornerstone of a progressive, liberal Democracy is free speech and tolerance. Fine. However, along with the megaphone that is the social internet, there is an urgent requirement to recognise where the line is between opinion which, is to be tolerated or not. Hate based opinion that causes harm such as racism, misogyny and violence must be called out. Opinion that denies factual reality is not an opinion, it is a lie. Liars need to be called out also.
Quite so…what’s the saying? Racism is an opinion, like Arsenic is a flavour!
Seymour calls our democracy a liberal democracy - his democracy is actually a blend of ultra conservative democracy / liberal democracy - I would suggest that a better fit for Aotearoa New Zealand is that we are a social democratic democracy.
yes, Seymour's notion of democracy is idiocy. Of course we hope to be a social- democratic democracy. We have a long way to go.
I’m so heartened by this and the Maori ward push back. Thank Nick, needed some hope.
Well, that has made my day! I wrote in defence of retaining the Māori Wards…and said to ffs not listen to racists telling you they should go. I sincerely hope more people see, as you say, that left or right…Māori deserve better!
BHN I think have got their perspective re Seymour wanting to create racism
for votes. If you know anything about the Atlas Network, Te Tiriti is on their agenda items - one of which is about marginalising indigenous people and stripping them of their rights.
Te Tiriti is along with Waitangi Tribunal decisions is perceived to be a threat to existing property rights, and is seen as an impediment to gaining access to resources.
Another agenda item of the Atlas Network is to enhance the wealth of the wealthy and to enhance property rights of those that have wealth. Te Tiriti may impede that agenda.
So yes the race card is there BHN but it’s the elephant in the room - maintaining property rights or enhancing property rights and getting access to resources are the real goals of the Treaty Principles Bill and Hobsons pledge. This is where Brash, Seymour, Luxon / Willis et al and the NZ Initiative (Damien Grant) and the NZ Taxpayers Union will have alignment!
Yes Paul, that is exactly why Seymore wants his treaty bill. He believes that the majority of voters in a referendum will vote for his version of The Treaty. This, of course, will severely reduce the power & authority of the Te Tiriri to safeguard NZ from extorsion from wealthy offshore investors. My advice to those concerned for NZ's future is to do some online research to see what Te Tiriri is about, how it is a living document that protects us all, Maori & Pakeha.
Nick, I enjoyed the BHN clip.
The terrible risk re the Treaty Bill is that the majority of people who would vote for the Bill (if it gets into law which it could despite Luxon’s stance) will be the great uniformed and pakeha ethnocentric, swayed by the propaganda that ACT, Nz Initiative, Nz Taxpayers Union, the Free Speech Union and Hobsons Pledge will propagate. If you are going to participate in democracy and vote for example in a referendum, you have to be informed and tragically so many people in Aotearoa NZ don’t inform themselves and run with the rhetoric of the day 🥲
My first sentence should have been…..BHB I think have got their perspective re Seymour wanting to create racism for votes partly correct but there is another reason and that’s the substantive reason. If you know…..
Predictive txt strikes again on send BHN….
I'm very disappointed, but not surprised at all. Imagine being a recipient of that kind of nasty.
While going through some of my papers I came across a few favourites, (shared via FB). This one seems so apt for the times.
2002. Economist and thinker John Kenneth Glabraith, gave an interview.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest excercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.
👏🏾👍🏾Thanks for bringing the Hooton shellacking of the Hobson's Pledge agenda to my/our attention! Not something I would have been attracted to watching 🤷🏾♀️ It is heartwarming to think that right-wing clear-headed proponents have recognised that perhaps Maori-bashing and racist policies and rhetoric are turning people against their bigger agendas by association - it would be a bonus if we got an overall more rational & equitable ECONOMIC policy approach as a companion to the backlash against blatant racism. 😁
On a more sober note, it is some of MY whanau of all generations who are being targeted & denigrated, so while incidents like this are good to see, as is the Maori Ward backlash from Councils, the POLICIES the CoC is legislating can and will cause harm to health, welfare, and equitable futures for both young old 🤬unless they can be voted out ASAP & moderated in the short term - which is where the Hootons of the right might be of some use? 🤷🏾♀️
Hooton had to be useful for something, some day. Let's hope he has the guts to keep it up. 🫰🙂
I think Keirin McNulty in Parliament impressed me more. But good on Hooten for calling out that lot.
I had to pinch myself today to make sure I was awake. Not only Hooton but also Claire sniping at the right. Clairae was having a go at Bishop and Simeon over not being correct (or further right) on their infrastructure pipe dreams and the 30 year plan, which I thought was a bit optimistic for a government which has less than 30 months to achieve what they want. Hooton was, I must concede, very forthright in his attack on Hobson's Pledge misinformation and racism. I never thought I would see the day. It seems to me that New Zealanders in general are beginning to see the truth about what they voted for when in became apparent it was all built on lies and misplaced trust, and continues to do so. It also makes me wonder how the immigrant population feels now about the Shangri-La they were led to believe exists in these green and happy islands is rapidly becoming, for some, their biggest mistake. I also wonder (I do that a lot, as you can see), if, when he gets to the office on Monday, Hooton will still be employed. He has put himself right in the firing line for all the right reasons so deserves some credit from even his harshest critics. Will Claire be the next? We can forget about Audrey, she's a lost cause.
Hooton’s righteous indignation that Māori bashing will get the most right-wing government in recent history, full of possibilities of cheap underclass labour, privatisation, and oligarchy, unelected again. Priceless…
Hope that is what happens
Loved your work even more, Nick! The BHN video is priceless!! Thank you SO much! I’ve never liked Matthew Hooten til now!!
Yes pure racism on white man lies. For once I agree with Hooton.
Far North District Council have also decided to retain Maori Wards.
They’d better.
As have Whangarei District Council thankgod ...tho I doubt Cocully, who tried to stop them being established back in 2019 would be happy.
I cannot believe how someone so right leaning & obviously has more in common with the plonker Jepson in Kaipara is our Mayor?
Our Ex Mayor Sheryl Mai was understandably thrilled with the result as it was on her watch they were established.
It's cool that some pushback against the nasties of Hobson's Pledge is happening. With all due respect to the big hairy guys, I would like to see the Hooton/Grant debate without the editorial interruptions. Is it available somewhere?
No, it was taken down.
Typical Lot of 404
Bugger
I agree - the interruptions are more distracting than informative. Shame it's not available unedited. It's a brilliant surprise to hear Hooton letting fly. He's occasionally written some good stuff in the Listener, which always takes me by surprise!
Friends of mind are wondering if Hooten had been given a green light from those in power who want to differentiate themselves from ACT. I'm deeply cynical I'm afraid about someone like Hooten having any pure motives for speaking out.
Great piece again, Nick..I love watching the BHN guys, so thank you for sharing. Hooten and the Dickhead:)). Whakatū council is voting on Māori Wards this week. Hopefully they will vote to keep Māori Wards and refute any necessity for a referendum...we'll see. But a simple action to take is to email your councillors to state that you are in favour of Māori Wards, and not in favour of a referendum. In Whakatū, the percentage of Tangata Whenua is 8.7% of the population. Despite its reputation as an arty destination...this is quite a conservative little enclave. The right-wing are mobilising by writing to the council in support of disbanding Māori Wards. Let's ensure that theirs is not the only voice to be heard.
On another, very happy, note, it's Saturday...and in this whare that means Nashville Babylon at 6pm!! Guaranteed to cheer you right up!! Currently listening to the 3 August programme......Seasick Steve, John Lee Hooker, Aretha Franklin, The Mighty Diamonds! Check it out people! Enjoy!