Take back control of the narrative
A revolution in accepted, established thinking in government, media and amongst officials has taken New Zealand deep into racism (described as ‘Jim Crow racism’ in the first of these three articles). Many see the damage and want to re-establish key principles, central for a counter-revolution. That revival of community values, the re-capture of ‘hearts and minds’ (feelings, beliefs, knowledge and understanding), emphasising facts over myths, has been described as the return to an egalitarian ‘social contract’ in the second of these articles.
The takeover, which has been building up over almost 50 years, is extensive and backed by a wide range of organisations that are committed to the cause, heading ever more openly towards two separate race-based governments and systems of law. The fightback will take some years (or decades) and much effort by many of us.
The focus here is on the changes that must be brought about by those in power, in the current government, to set free the energies of many in the community whose voices have been silenced by the growing all-pervasive censorship, including control of media which present biased claims while blocking actions by those who dare to disagree with Maori (‘indigenous’) exceptionalism. When the voices for equality are allowed to be heard, many of us can write letters to the editor, be heard on national television and organise local meetings to voice a deep belief in those principles of freedom, equality, unity, and sovereignty that have for centuries been basic to our civilisation – a way of life that has been shown to work in practice but is now severely undermined. All those who wish to speak up can then join together in a partnership, of those in government, to assist and support one another to gain control of the narrative.
Action within the government sphere
While National, under the leadership of Christopher Luxon drags its feet, showing no commitment to the principles set down in the coalition agreements, ACT and New Zealand First are moving ahead, and deserve our support (even from those, such as myself, who are not in accord with many of their other policies). The government has put an end to most outrageous reorganisations of previous government such as Three Waters and the Maori Health Authority.
The Treaty Principles Bill proposed by ACT opens up the debate with calls for equality, unity in a sovereign nation, and security of property ownership, which are, indeed, contained in the three articles of the original Treaty of Waitangi. But while that idea of well-defined guiding principles points in the right direction, they are going about it in the wrong way by linking those principles to the Treaty, which has been stripped of its initial meaning and completely rewritten by the Waitangi Tribunal. They are playing into the hand of the opposition and inviting the disruption which has quickly arisen.
A second problem has arisen as the second principle, relating to security of ownership, has been rewritten and turned on its head.
This creates a problem for those who support the direction but not this approach. The way out of that conundrum is simple: “The best way forward would be to drop any reference to the Treaty of Waitangi from the Bill and simply state the principle (or principles) that should guide New Zealand into the future.”[1] We can all send in submissions pointing that out.
The Waitangi Tribunal continues to proclaim a role as de facto governing body for New Zealand, most lately with its criticism of the policies of the elected government, “Nga Matapono – The Principles: The Interim Report of the Tomokia Nga Tatau o Matangireia – The Constitutional Kaupapa Inquiry Panel on The Crown’s Treaty Principles Bill and Treaty Clause Review Policies”; as if had the right to direct the elected government. It must go; it was set up by government and can be closed down by government.