She is quoted in an RNZ article stating: “I’m not surprised that people are upset that a young brown woman is being critical of an institution that has let her and her communities down for a very long time.”
Paul told a university panel that a visible police presence in Wellington makes people feel “more on edge” and claimed she had heard complaints of police “picking up homeless people’s stuff and putting it in the bin.” She argued that beat patrols could be replaced by Māori Wardens and “hara ake,” while police should focus on domestic and sexual violence.
Paul’s remarks follow on from last year when Green MP Kahurangi Carter stated in Parliament:
“I want you to ask yourself: would you rather be walking down a dark alley and see a patched member or a police officer? For many people in New Zealand, they would feel safer alone with a patched member than the police — and we need to ask ourselves why.”
Paul also claimed to have met a woman imprisoned for stealing $12 worth of items to feed herself. Pressed by reporters, Paul admitted she couldn’t verify whether the claim was true or if other charges were involved. “I guess I just take people’s word for it when they come and talk to me,” she said.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins called her statements “stupid,” while Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the Greens were in “la-la land” on law and order. Instead of walking back her claims, Paul told RNZ she wasn’t surprised by the backlash: “A young brown woman being critical of an institution that has let her and her communities down for a very long time.”
Centrist Editor’s note: The Greens appear to be framing street crime and shop raids as a Māori problem, best addressed not by police but by “aunties” and cultural alternatives. At the same time, Tamatha Paul is trying to reframe legitimate public and political criticism as racially motivated.
Read more over at Stuff and RNZ
The Centrist is a new online news platform that strives to provide a balance to the public debate - where this article was sourced.
Paul’s remarks follow on from last year when Green MP Kahurangi Carter stated in Parliament:
“I want you to ask yourself: would you rather be walking down a dark alley and see a patched member or a police officer? For many people in New Zealand, they would feel safer alone with a patched member than the police — and we need to ask ourselves why.”
Paul also claimed to have met a woman imprisoned for stealing $12 worth of items to feed herself. Pressed by reporters, Paul admitted she couldn’t verify whether the claim was true or if other charges were involved. “I guess I just take people’s word for it when they come and talk to me,” she said.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins called her statements “stupid,” while Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the Greens were in “la-la land” on law and order. Instead of walking back her claims, Paul told RNZ she wasn’t surprised by the backlash: “A young brown woman being critical of an institution that has let her and her communities down for a very long time.”
Centrist Editor’s note: The Greens appear to be framing street crime and shop raids as a Māori problem, best addressed not by police but by “aunties” and cultural alternatives. At the same time, Tamatha Paul is trying to reframe legitimate public and political criticism as racially motivated.
Read more over at Stuff and RNZ
The Centrist is a new online news platform that strives to provide a balance to the public debate - where this article was sourced.
2 comments:
Just trying to get media attention and inches. Seems to be working.
Tabatha Paul = far left lying loser. Just telling the truth.
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