Derek Mackie: Has apathy become New Zealand's new national sport

The last few months have been some of the most radical and disturbing in NZ politics. In fact, I can’t recall any period that can rival this for extremism and racial division, all done in the patronising and perverse name of kindness and racial healing.

 Firstly, the mad, crazy rush to enact the Maori Wards legislation. Supposedly done to ensure Maori have their fair say at local government level...when the actual statistics show that Maori are already perfectly represented on councils and over-represented at national level.

 Secondly, the Climate Change Commission's draft recommendations, no doubt very soon to become actual government policy. A raft of woke, left-wing ideas to take more control of people’s lives and restrict freedom of choice, when we already have a sensible mechanism to control our emissions that allows flexibility and efficiencies in how the economy responds. 

 Thirdly, the proposed new National History Curriculum, to be compulsory teaching at all levels of schooling. Why not? Well, it presents a one-eyed Maori view of history, painting all things modern and European as intrinsically racist and discriminating against Maori. It also sweeps under the carpet the pre-colonial Maori practices of utu, slavery, cannibilism and female infanticide, in favour of a noble savage perspective living in tune with the environment. 

 Fourthly, a new Maori Health Authority. For Maori, by Maori...but paid for by everyone else and with a veto over the Crown Health Authority for the other 85% of us. 

 Lastly, and most explosively of all, the exposure of He Puapua, a blueprint for the complete overhaul of the NZ constitution and government. Awarding Maori a 50% share of power in a new upper house with, of course, veto powers over the rest of us. Transferring ownership of Crown lands and water to Maori. Giving Maori ownership of the whole seashore. Adopting tikanga as part of NZ law, making every non-Maori a second-class citizen in our courts. Replacing English with Te Reo wherever possible. Changing place names and the country's name. And all for no reason other than Maori got here a bit before everyone else. 

 As each new idea came out the logical expectation would be that Labour’s poll ratings would fall. But no. Even when He Puapua was dragged kicking and screaming out of Minister Mahuta’s office, Labour maintained their approval rating of just over 50%. Does the NZ public really approve of these racist policies or does it have a bad case of apathy? It’s almost certainly the latter, otherwise this kind of nonsense would have taken hold years ago.

 Our MSM has clearly let the country down with the biased and selective coverage of these issues, either because it believes in the woke agenda or it is paid from our government’s Public Interest Journalism Fund to believe. But there has still been enough media coverage to stir public curiosity if it was there. The fact that nothing has happened suggests it wasn’t. 

 Apathy amongst the public when it comes to politics is not unusual, and in the past has usually resulted in the election of moderate, steady-as-she-goes, somewhat boring governments. Our current lot most definitely don’t fall into that category. They want to get inside the building and gut it. A complete overhaul in the recently popular neo-Marxist style. 

 Radical governments like ours love apathy. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. You can pretty much get away with anything as long as you have a figurehead with a dazzling set of teeth, a kind caring public persona, and a much publicised wedding coming up. That’s usually enough to distract from the chaos and mayhem you’re planning.  They used to say that NZ was a land of sheep with a few humans. Now most of the humans are wearing big woolly coats and are happy to get their diet of political commentary from Country Calendar. 

 Apathy can’t be treated with a trip to the doctor. There’s only one known cure. It’s waking up one morning, not too far from now, realising that many of the things you valued and took for granted are being taken away from you and given to someone else just because at least one of their ancestors was here before Captain Cook. The trouble is that you then have a mighty battle on your hands to get them back. 

Don’t let apathy drag you down!

Derek Mackie is a geologist with a keen interest in current affairs.