Dr Michael John Schimdt: King Charles III, Our Fifth Old

In my previous piece regarding the Reserve Bank (RBNZ) I outlined how the cultural changes overtaking the RBNZ were also overtaking its primary mission and probably did not, ironically, reflect a good return on investment (ROI). The recent release of commemorative coins by the RBNZ, coupled with a consumer complaint, prompted me to remember a lesser-recounted piece of history. This perspective allows us to view both issues in a broader context.

The campaign to destroy the “Four Olds” began in Beijing during the “Red August” of 1966, shortly after the launch of the Chinese Cultural Revolution. The specific elements constituting the “Four Olds” were never precisely defined (as an analogy we can consider “hate speech”), but their eradication was a central theme. Mao Zedong called upon his Red Guards, a militant youth movement (as an analogy we can consider the “woke” (e.g., Antifa), to eradicate the “Four Olds”. These “Four Olds” referred to pre-communist elements within traditional Chinese culture and were targeted for destruction. They included

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The Communist Party recognised that to both gain power and continue in power they had to tear down existing structures and replace them with their own. We see similar behaviour, mostly overseas but cropping up more frequently in New Zealand now, with the graffitiing and even tearing down of hallowed monuments and statues, of ‘decolonising activities’. It doesn’t stop with vandalism but has already extended to the dismantling of inalienable rights and even an unpunished assault on a 71-year-old woman whose views differ from the ‘Aotearoan Guard’.

Many of these cultural vandalisations can be obscured by aligned claims, yet these claims ultimately pursue similar outcomes. As we’ll observe, they represent ‘two sides of the same coin’ for the same objective: to achieve political goals by undermining prevailing ideas, culture, customs, and traditions.

One such claim suggests that New Zealand should become a republic. While I fail to see how this would enhance the livelihoods of average New Zealanders, I acknowledge the advantages of maintaining ties within the Commonwealth. New Zealand, as a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, benefits in several ways:

1. Citizens’ Rights Protection: Membership in the Commonwealth provides a platform for safeguarding the rights of New Zealand citizens, emphasising democratic principles, human rights, and the rule of law.
2. Small States Solidarity: Collaboration within the Commonwealth enables New Zealand to contribute to economic prosperity and environmental security in the Pacific region.
3. Governance and Institutions: The Commonwealth promotes good governance, inclusive institutions, and justice, working towards economic growth, trade enhancement, minority empowerment, and addressing global challenges such as climate change.
4. Historical Legacy: With its roots in the British Empire, the Commonwealth reflects New Zealand’s evolution and provides connections to the wider world (3). It serves as an example of significant progress through collective action, such as the abolition of slavery.

However, recent developments have seen the alignment of the Republican movement and the Cultural Marxist movement in New Zealand. This convergence presents an unfortunate situation as both systems of governance have had their day.

The failures of Marxist ideologies whether cultural, or otherwise, are evident through the millions of lives lost. In China alone, the death toll ranges from 20 million to 60 million, with many victims purged during the campaign against the ‘Four Olds’ (2). Additionally, with the ongoing persecution of the Uyghurs, this toll increases daily.

Republicanism also has its litany of failures. Here are a few examples:

1. Weimar Republic (Germany): After World War I, Germany transitioned from a monarchy to the Weimar Republic (1919-1933). However, political instability, economic challenges, and social unrest plagued the Weimar era. Hyperinflation, political extremism, and the rise of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party eventually led to the collapse of the Weimar Republic and the establishment of the Third Reich (4).
2. Russian Federation: The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the transition of Russia from a socialist state to a republic. While democratic institutions emerged, Russia faced significant challenges. Corruption, oligarchic control, and erosion of democratic norms have hindered its progress toward stable governance (5).
3. Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe transitioned from British colonial rule to an independent republic in 1980. However, under President Robert Mugabe’s leadership the country faced economic decline, land seizures, and human rights abuses. The transition did not lead to sustained prosperity or democratic stability (6).
4. Libya: After the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011, Libya transitioned to a republic. However, internal conflicts, factionalism, and power struggles among armed groups have left the country deeply divided. The transition did not result in a stable and unified Libya (7).

The current decline in America is evident through the intersection of Republican ideology and Cultural Marxism(8).

Recently, Mr Holden of “New Zealand Republic” criticized the RBNZ for releasing commemorative coins featuring King Charles III, labelling it a “missed opportunity” for advancing New Zealand’s republic status (9). Progressive ideologues might support such a move as a step toward “decolonising” New Zealand. But to quote Deng Xiaoping, “It doesn’t matter whether a cat is black or white so long as it catches mice”. (10)

As the RBNZ continues its woke agenda, it may quietly adopt New Zealand Republic’s views under the guise of “popular demand” or “current relevance”. This could lead to a subtle yet significant cultural shift, akin to the “Four Olds” objectives, carried out through our currency – without voter consent. This mirrors Vladimir Lenin’s concept of “useful idiots”, where individuals or groups inadvertently support a cause or regime against their own interests (11).

Anticipating potential changes, a legislative solution would mandate that the RBNZ always broadly seek public consultation before altering the artwork on NZ currency. This measure aims to prevent unilateral changes by the RBNZ amidst the evident and ongoing ideological shifts within that organisation.

I encourage politicians who read this article to take up the challenge through a Private Member’s Bill.

References:

Chen, B. (1966, June 1). Sweep Away All Cow Demons and Snake Spirits. People’s Daily.
Gregor, A. J. (2019). Marxist Thought in China. In Oxford Bibliographies. DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780199920082-0176
“New Zealand’s Membership in the Commonwealth: Benefits and Impact” Author: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand Publication Date: 2024 URL: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/peace-rights-and-security/the-commonwealth/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z9y64j6/revision/6
https://online.norwich.edu/consequences-collapse-soviet-union
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Mugabe
https://portside.org/2020-02-03/libya-and-after-muammar-gaddafi
https://www.heritage.org/progressivism/report/how-cultural-marxism-threatens-the-united-states-and-how-americans-can-fight
https://www.republic.org.nz/latestblog/mediarelease16march2024
http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/1999/china.50/inside.china/profiles/deng.xiaoping/
https://www.investors.com/politics/commentary/lenin-used-useful-idiots-to-spread-propaganda-to-the-west/

(Authors note: Lenin capitalised on the use of “useful idiots”: but it is believed the term’s origin was an economist called ‘Ludwig von Mises’.)

Michael John Schmidt left NZ after completing postgraduate studies at Otago University (BSc, MSc) in molecular biology, virology, and immunology to work in research on human genetics in Australia. Returning to NZ has worked in business development for biotech and pharmacy retail companies and became a member of the NZ Institute of Directors. This article was first published HERE