The protestors are gathering at Parliament in Wellington and other major cities, calling for the repeal of the Fast Track Approvals Bill and greater protection of Māori land. While organisers are hailing it as a grassroots youth movement, others see a different picture - one of children being used to push an agenda they may not fully understand.
ACT leader and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour has weighed in on the walkout, stating that schools should treat students attending today’s protest as “explained but unjustified absences.” It’s a clear message that while students may be open about their intentions, the government doesn’t necessarily consider the climate hoax a valid reason to skip school.
Critics argue that a large portion of those participating are doing so not out of deep concern for the environment, but simply to miss a day of school and join in on what has become a trendy form of protest. Blocking roads and chanting slogans may feel powerful, but they end up just looking like leftard-cucks.
The protest is also placing significant focus on Māori land rights, with organisers claiming that Māori communities are among the first to suffer from environmental degradation and exploitative development, because of course, right?
Mainstream media outlets are widely promoting the event, sharing times, locations, and encouraging public participation. This raises concerns about journalistic impartiality and the blurred lines between reporting and endorsement.
As the protest unfolds today, the broader public is left to ask: are we witnessing a genuine civic awakening, or is this another example of emotionally charged but factually thin activism being packaged by the left for maximum visibility?
Whatever the answer, one thing is certain - students are out of classrooms, streets are being blocked, and I’m pretty sure Benjamin Doyle will be watching the “rangitahi” closely with a pair of binoculars from the Beehive.
Matu Kahurangi is just a bloke sharing thoughts on New Zealand and the world beyond. No fluff, just honest takes. He blogs on matu.substack.com where this article was sourced.
Critics argue that a large portion of those participating are doing so not out of deep concern for the environment, but simply to miss a day of school and join in on what has become a trendy form of protest. Blocking roads and chanting slogans may feel powerful, but they end up just looking like leftard-cucks.
The protest is also placing significant focus on Māori land rights, with organisers claiming that Māori communities are among the first to suffer from environmental degradation and exploitative development, because of course, right?
Mainstream media outlets are widely promoting the event, sharing times, locations, and encouraging public participation. This raises concerns about journalistic impartiality and the blurred lines between reporting and endorsement.
As the protest unfolds today, the broader public is left to ask: are we witnessing a genuine civic awakening, or is this another example of emotionally charged but factually thin activism being packaged by the left for maximum visibility?
Whatever the answer, one thing is certain - students are out of classrooms, streets are being blocked, and I’m pretty sure Benjamin Doyle will be watching the “rangitahi” closely with a pair of binoculars from the Beehive.
Matu Kahurangi is just a bloke sharing thoughts on New Zealand and the world beyond. No fluff, just honest takes. He blogs on matu.substack.com where this article was sourced.
10 comments:
A disturbing trend for some time now has been the recruitment of children as footsoldiers by adults pushing political agendae. Even more disturbing is seeing teachers actively recruiting juvenile cannon fodder for those political causes. Without this active intervention by at least some teachers, actions such as this 'strike' would not occur. Teachers who indulge in this kind of unprofessional behaviour should face disciplinary action. A teacher's job is to present contentious issues in a balanced way to kids, not to cajole them into taking sides.
Teaching used to be a noble profession, unfortunately today, teaching appears to attract the radically left leaning promoters of propaganda.
I have sent the following letter to The Post, with little hope of publication, so air it here for what it's worth.
'Oh, brave new world that has such nine-year-olds in it (Finn, 9, strikes against climate change, 12 April)! He knows all about what drives climate and even, with a surprising maturity of intellect, critiques the Treaty Principles Bill. He is also going to protest, letting the world know his views. I am 75 years older than him and have not got anywhere near the same degree of certainty. My PhD and science career have given me some insights into the world, but at 9, the best I might have managed would have been Enid Blyton books. Our education system is obviously a lot better now than when I attended primary school. Even now my grasp of the complexities of climatology and the cultural and political issues that divide this country are not all they could be. Perhaps my education was lacking, but I have learned that hubris is not a pretty sight. I have concluded that Finn has been subject to indoctrination, either at school, or home, or both and for this young man to be so misinformed (and parade it in public) could be considered child abuse. Who are we to call to account?'
It is political manipulation by those in their sphere (teachers, parents views, certain peers etc). At some point in life we form political views but even in one's early teens we are still reciting the views of immediate circle.
Being politically active at 9 and knowing all the answers as supplied by elders and then having Stuff use it as propaganda should be seen for the cruel manipulation that it is. However it has the support of 41-44pc of the population at least (Lab, Green, TPM voters).
Well said, Matu and the commentators above. It is not unlike the recent TPB hikoi, where the vast majority participating didn't have one valid argument or even a basic understanding of the issues. These kids wouldn't have a clue about the makeup of our atmosphere and what can influence our climate, and I'll wager most of their teachers would have little idea either. One thing is for sure they should be in class, not wagging school and being used as political pawns on matters they really know nothing about. They've been indoctrinated, and little wonder so many now have mental stability issues.
A few years ago Auckland Council prepared a study on the effect of climate change. As is now customary it was clearly captured by pro maori staff (with modern recruiting criteria are there any others?). It recognised that all society is likely to be reduced to near former levels, but it maintained that maori, despite being suited to manual work and well equipped to work in hotter climate, would be most not least affected. Huge emphasis was placed on trying to involve rangitahi in the issue, as if young maori will devise better solutions than, say, offspring of high IQ industrial Asians. It was all just a sly attempt to involve and train rangatahi for the endless extortive consultation tasks being forever devised for maori. The maori influence on the current protest seems more of the same familiarisation campaign.
Of course our current crop of young teachers are left wing indoctrinators. Look the Universities they get trained in. Teacher training should go back to dedicated Teacher Training Colleges, away from the poisonous influence of the University atmosphere
When I asked my nephew about these earlier protests during school time he him and his mates just saw it as a good way to get a day off school. They were not worried about the environment.
Suggest the climate protesters throw themselves down the main vent of the next volcano threatening to erupt.
The Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai eruption affected climate in the Southern Hemisphere for over 2 years. But most of the volcano’s effects had dissipated by the end of 2023.
Of course, it won't help reduce the problems caused by volcanism and endogenetic forces in general, but it will serve more purpose than just causing annoyance.
Instead of a climate strike how about a work in where they refuse to leave after school on Fridays or turn up demanding extra maths lessons on Saturdays. Same for their indoctrination mentors who identify as teachers and their activist parents or guardians
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