Clive Bibby: Having it both ways

Labour Party Deputy Leader, Kelvin Davis’s recent patronising and gratuitous insult of Maori Act MP Karen Chhour epitomises the current lopsided state endorsed race relations in this country.

Not only was the insult begrudgingly withdrawn after the public outrage became too hot for the PM - it will clearly remain as a useful political tactic used by the Government and its sycophantic supporters at every opportunity leading up to the election campaign next year. But the people at the receiving end are unlikely to be his Maori brethren.

It is ironic that Davis was emboldened by the widespread use of a similar “low blow” form of intimidation, denigrating “pale, stale, males “ by the MSM, although, in this case, he made the wrong choice of targets.

Had he stuck to the PSMs he may well have got away with it because most people know that us old white folks are fair game in a society where even the Race Relations Commissioner refuses to defend our contributions to the nation.

On the other hand, Maori aspirations appear to be sacrosanct even when based on a false narrative. You dare not speak a word about the history of this country if it doesn’t parrot the revisionist, radical version being set in stone and used to indoctrinate our grandchildren.

I find that situation intolerable, not just because of the division this development will cause but more about the barriers to future attempts at reconciliation that must happen before both races can feel they have equal status at the decision making table.

Unfortunately, the plastering of band aids over fake wounds with the introduction of Maori Wards at this year’s local body elections will go nowhere to address the underlying discontent that exists at grassroots level.

You see - the problems associated with Maoridom’s desire for greater self determination are, for the most part, the result of self inflicted wounds.

Under close examination, local communities suffer more from tribal infighting than anything the PSMs could ever impose. You just need to follow the decision making process (particularly at Runanga level) to understand why the blame game is a front for internal squabbles that only prolong the agony for those at the bottom of the heap.

In the meantime, we are being encouraged to accept the imposition of an undemocratic Council voting system that has the capacity to sanction further erosion of community life in favour of (in most cases) a minority who can’t even keep their own house in order.

Kelvin Davis will be finding it difficult to wipe the smile off his face while pretending to be remorseful for the obvious hurt his reckless and cruel insults have caused to a decent human being he should be claiming as one of his own.

It won’t work - nor should it!

Clive Bibby is a commentator, consultant, farmer and community leader, who lives in Tolaga Bay.