The Reserve Bank has recently been advertising for a Principal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Adviser. As the title suggests, it is a full-on embrace of left-wing ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI) philosophies and of course, a strong dose of the Treaty of Waitangi. How precisely this enhances the work of a bank is unclear, other than perhaps they are planning to disestablish this colonial service and distribute all funds equitably (I say this, tongue in cheek!). How much this will be paid is not clear, but I would suggest at least six figures and likely starting with a two.
Then there is the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet wanting someone to program manage the Christchurch Call. This is coming with a healthy salary as well, just under $200,000 for the lucky applicant. The Call of course has become even more politicised and with an ever growing mandate than when first established. I say more because from the outset, the Call has been about promoting left wing values and limiting alternative views all under the guise of preventing extremism. Put another way, the Call is not simply focused on extremism but any groups and ideals the progressives don’t like.
Alongside these are a plethora of other government and council jobs. Lots of cultural advisors, DEI informed roles, and other amorphous roles and titles. In fact, if it weren’t for these sorts of roles, the likes of Seek and TradeMe would be empty of opportunities for those looking for work.
What these all have in common is that they are paid for by the taxpayer or ratepayer. That is you and me. At the same time we have likes of the Police crying out for better pay. The same is true of those in the health sector, teaching, and so on.
My point is simple. The priorities are wrong. Clearly wrong. I encourage this new government to focus on core roles and to end this ever-growing bureaucracy of wokeness. These roles are not needed nor add the value that a higher paid police officer or teacher will. As I say, where are the priorities when we end up funding the likes of the Christchurch Call over our front line police officers, or a DEI idealogue in banking over a nurse?
Of course, if this was not enough in itself, news came out last week that the NZ Film Commission is giving $800,000 for a documentary on Jacinda Ardern. This on the back of the $200,000+ they gave for a documentary on Chloe Swarbrick last year. Taxpayer funds should not be used to produce puff pieces on politicians, current or so recently former. As others have rightly noted, it is simply propaganda. The final observation will not be lost on anyone and that is how striking it is that such monies are only ever for left-wing figures. Imagine how many more police salaries this would have funded.
Alongside these are a plethora of other government and council jobs. Lots of cultural advisors, DEI informed roles, and other amorphous roles and titles. In fact, if it weren’t for these sorts of roles, the likes of Seek and TradeMe would be empty of opportunities for those looking for work.
What these all have in common is that they are paid for by the taxpayer or ratepayer. That is you and me. At the same time we have likes of the Police crying out for better pay. The same is true of those in the health sector, teaching, and so on.
My point is simple. The priorities are wrong. Clearly wrong. I encourage this new government to focus on core roles and to end this ever-growing bureaucracy of wokeness. These roles are not needed nor add the value that a higher paid police officer or teacher will. As I say, where are the priorities when we end up funding the likes of the Christchurch Call over our front line police officers, or a DEI idealogue in banking over a nurse?
Of course, if this was not enough in itself, news came out last week that the NZ Film Commission is giving $800,000 for a documentary on Jacinda Ardern. This on the back of the $200,000+ they gave for a documentary on Chloe Swarbrick last year. Taxpayer funds should not be used to produce puff pieces on politicians, current or so recently former. As others have rightly noted, it is simply propaganda. The final observation will not be lost on anyone and that is how striking it is that such monies are only ever for left-wing figures. Imagine how many more police salaries this would have funded.
BRIEFS
It has been remarkable how little reporting has emerged of the meeting between the New Zealand and Chinese foreign ministers in Wellington this week. At one level, it is perhaps not surprising insofar as the discussion would be predictable. However, I do raise a concern for the relationship with China is critical – both in terms of trade and our national security. It is something that needs to be discussed more and not left to the likes of those who want us to only talk about trade (you can read my earlier Substack, critiquing the view of Helen Clark and Don Brash).
Speaking of China, it has been tragic to see the latest national security law (Article 23) applied in Hong Kong. What was left of any freedom in Hong Kong has been erased. The new law basically turns the island into an informer state – where you can be reported for any activity or comment that may be deemed inappropriate to the CCP. For those doing business there, things will only be getting harder as the line between innocent discussions with a foreigner and colluding for purposes of foreign interference is now so vague and undefined. Just remember, the editor of the Apple Daily, Jimmy Lai, is in prison for having talked to foreign journalists … and this was before the law got even more draconian! There is a good summary of the new law here.
The image associated with the vote on the new Article 23 law in Hong Kong
story says it all. Not one dissenting vote simply amplifies how authoritarian
and tragic Hong Kong has become.
Returning locally, it has been remarkable to watch the reaction to Winston Peter’s recent speech. While his analogy wasn’t particularly appropriate, the fact that mainstream media pretty much spoke as one about it shows yet again why these outlets are struggling. There is no diversity of thought, but rather a groupthink. Also, with so much else going on, and going wrong, in New Zealand, you would think that from politicians to media we would have more to discuss than a song by Chumbawamba.
Simon O'Connor a former National MP graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Political Studies . Simon blogs at On Point - where this article was sourced.
Returning locally, it has been remarkable to watch the reaction to Winston Peter’s recent speech. While his analogy wasn’t particularly appropriate, the fact that mainstream media pretty much spoke as one about it shows yet again why these outlets are struggling. There is no diversity of thought, but rather a groupthink. Also, with so much else going on, and going wrong, in New Zealand, you would think that from politicians to media we would have more to discuss than a song by Chumbawamba.
Simon O'Connor a former National MP graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Political Studies . Simon blogs at On Point - where this article was sourced.
6 comments:
What idiots dreamed up cultural advisors in regard to maori? A stone age tribal people with no written language, hadn't sussed out the wheel, pottery, woven cloth or even KFC. Their system was winner takes all, slavery and cannibalism was the order of the day and don't mention the Moa or burning off half of the South Island. How much longer are average NZ taxpayers going to put up with this bullshit being showered upon us? Wake up Kiwis and speak up against this racist woke rubbish. Kiwialan.
Kiwialan: The problem for many of us – if we honestly said what we thought of all the “progressive”, identity-politics, waiata-singing, karakia-intoning indoctrination being forced upon us – is we could well lose our jobs.
Fortunately, the ballot box is still confidential. For now.
LFC
No......Maori should pay for this as a service to the nation.
Kiwialan - the lack of pottery is an interesting point. The ancestors that began the spread across the Pacific from Taiwan had this skill. Somewhere in the journey, pottery making got lost, or discarded as an unnecessary skill. It was never re-discovered. Untill the nasty colonisers arrived.
Great support is evident judging from the Real Estate Insitute which is forcing cultural training on its agents.
It is a clearly financial scam - but the dumbos are falling for it.
When you consider that only Rotorua Maori in pre- European times had any concept of boiling water, it demonstrates what a primitive "civilization" Maori had before "we" arrived to enable them to catch up on 20,000 years of progressive development.
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