by Christopher Ruthe

Every schoolkid in NZ being asked to write an essay on the Labour ‘co-governance’ plans will get this well articulated and convincing answer on Chat GPT. Truly frightening.

Co-Governance in NZ — the Superbrain Artificial Intelligence tells us what it means(!)

‘Co-Governance’ is the great new game in town. One person one vote and the equality of every individual New Zealander has been silently, by stealth, undermined. Getting Chippy Hipkins PM to admit this is futile.

ChatGPT has been in the news. A brief description for those unfamiliar with it: Elon Musk has warned it and other programs are quickly outsmarting human brains. It is AI technology that allows you to have human-like conversations and much more with the chatbot. It answers questions and assist you with tasks, such as composing e-mails, writing essays, providing you with all the ‘facts’ you need. It is the superbrain  and a tool that students and researchers use. It gives convincing answers that are accepted as being ‘the truth’.

So I went to Chat GPT seeking answers to these questions: (1) What does co-governance mean? (2) Why should 15 % of the population — Maori — have 50% of the power?

The answers are revealing. ChatGPT has no difficulty in throwing one person one vote into the trash can of history. This is the transcript of our discussion.

“What is co-governance in New Zealand?

ChatGPT

Co-governance in New Zealand refers to a collaborative approach to governance, where decision-making power is shared between the government and Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. This approach recognizes the unique status of Maori as treaty partners with the government, and seeks to ensure that their perspectives, values, and interests are taken into account in all decision-making processes.

Co-governance arrangements in New Zealand typically involve the establishment of governance structures that allow Maori to participate in decision-making at both national and local levels. For example, under the Treaty of Waitangi settlements process, co-governance arrangements have been established for a number of natural resources such as forests, rivers, and coastlines. These arrangements involve joint management of these resources by Maori and the government, with decision-making power shared between the two parties.

Co-governance is seen as a way to promote greater understanding and partnership between Maori and the government, and to ensure that the unique cultural heritage and perspectives of Maori are protected and promoted in the governance of the country. It is an important part of New Zealand’s commitment to honoring the Treaty of Waitangi, which was signed between Maori and the British Crown in 1840 and is considered the founding document of the nation.

Maori are only 15% of the population so why should they have 50% of the power?

ChatGPT

Firstly, it’s important to clarify that Maori are actually around 15% of the New Zealand population, according to the latest census data from 2018.

Regarding your question, it’s important to understand that co-governance arrangements in New Zealand are based on the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, which was signed between the British Crown and Maori in 1840. The Treaty guaranteed certain rights and protections to Maori, including the right to retain their lands, fisheries, and other resources, and the right to participate in decision-making processes that affect them.

The Treaty of Waitangi is a unique document that recognizes the special status of Maori as the indigenous people of New Zealand, and it forms the basis for the partnership between Maori and the government. Co-governance arrangements aim to honor the Treaty by ensuring that Maori have a meaningful say in the decisions that affect their communities and resources.

ChatGPT says co-governance is the new constitutional arrangement in NZ and there are only 2 parties to any issues — Maori and ‘the rest’ with both “With both parties having an [equal] say in the final outcome”.

It’s also worth noting that co-governance arrangements are not about giving Maori “50% of the power,” as you put it. Rather, they are about establishing mechanisms for meaningful partnership and collaboration between Maori and the government. In many cases, decision-making power is shared between Maori and the government, with both parties having a say in the final outcome.

Overall, co-governance arrangements in New Zealand reflect the government’s commitment to honoring the Treaty of Waitangi and recognizing the unique status of Maori as the indigenous people of the country.“

Chat GPT was expressly asked to explain why the inequality inherent in co-governance should replace the fundamental principle of our democratic form of government with power going to a chiefly Maori elite. Is this what New Zealanders want? For this my father fought for 6 years in World War 2 suffering for his nation? Well, ChatGPT tells us this is where we are at And most people reading these answers will accept them as the truth.

It’s obvious that all the input into ChatGPT has come from Labour/Green/Maori Party supporters in Government Departments or QUANGOs.