John Porter: If Reversed it Would be Called Racism

American political economist Benjamin Friedman, author of Religion and the Rise of Capitalism, a basic reassessment of the underpinnings of today’s economics, once compared modern Western society to a bicycle whose forward momentum was kept going by continuing economic growth. He expounded that should that forward-propelling motion slow or cease, the pillars that define our society – our democracies, our individual liberties and social tolerance - would begin to falter.

Further warning, “…if society was unable to get the wheels back in motion, countries would eventually face total societal collapse”. 

I suggest there are any number of factors that would, especially if occurring in a similar time frame, precipitate a collapse of society in New Zealand. But where I see a danger looming on the horizon is the increasing lack of social tolerance - social tolerance that is being severely tested by the constant influence, preference and favouritism being assigned to Maori. 

Influence, preference and favouritism that if reversed, would be, and correctly so, decried as racism!

Now, racism is not always conscious or actually readily visible and is typically categorised as systemic or structural.

Systemic racism transpires when unequal opportunities and outcomes are inbuilt or fundamental to the working of society’s structures and are beneficial to certain parties based on a racial definition.

Is this not what we are seeing in New Zealand now: Unequal benefits and opportunities that are mandated to deliver prescribed outcomes to a particular racial group?

Structural racism on the other hand is a form of racism that is pervasively and deeply embedded in systems, laws, policies and practices, primarily for the oppression of a section of society.

The oppression of a section of society: Is this not what Maori sovereignty activists are undertaking - with no small amount of success - and forcing onto the majority of New Zealand?

Most worryingly this is being embarked on with the support of a government that its coalition partners were adamant was going to be stamped out!

Back in 2016, a lobby group was launched to end what the group labelled, “Māori favouritism.”

The group was called Hobson's Pledge and was and still is, fronted by former National Party leader Don Brash. That group was formed to pressure politicians into opposing race-based laws and preferential Māori seats in Parliament.

Dr Brash said for eight years the National-led government had been pandering to separatist demands. He said everyone should be equal before the law.

"We've got a situation where those who have a Māori ancestor, and I say sometimes only one or two Māori ancestors out of many, are given some constitutional preference."

An emblematic example of this unconstrained racism featured prominently in a recent Waatea News article.

“The Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency has launched the longest ad ever made in Aotearoa urging more Māori to sign up to the Māori Electoral Roll.”

The 30 minute advert features Maori Sovereignty activist Tame Iti reading a 'Māori roll call' of New Zealanders who have recently joined the Maori electoral roll. The ad campaign will go out through TV, radio and billboards.

Get this - part-way through the reading, Iti leaves the room for a cup of tea as the camera stays in the dark, empty room.

A 30-minute call to action encouraging Māori to join the Māori Electoral Roll? Wow. Who pays for that?

The Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency. CEO, John Tamihere. Say no more!

The main funder of the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency is Te Puni Kōkiri.  Te Puni Kōkiri (the Ministry of Māori Development) is funded by the Government. 

So, there you go, we are indirectly funding racism!

Iti said young Māori need to get involved in politics to make change. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/565053/whanau-ora-launches-nz-s-longest-ever-ad-urging-more-maori-to-join-the-maori-roll

“…young Māori need to get involved in politics to make change.” I say BS to that!

Maori Sovereignty activists “getting Maori on the Maori roll” has only but one very important consequence.

INCREASING THE NUMBER OF MAORI SEATS!

From the Electoral Commission following an OIA request in 2020 –

1.      Electors of Māori descent who are registered on the general rolls are not included in the Māori electoral population used to determine the number of Māori electorates.

2.      The number of general and Māori electorates and electoral populations used to draw electoral boundaries are calculated by the Government Statistician following each Census and Māori Electoral Option in accordance with formula set out in the Electoral Act 1993. The Government Statistician is required to use total population, as MPs represent everyone in New Zealand, not just those who have registered to vote. The number of Māori electorates is calculated by dividing the Māori electoral
population (473,077) by the South Island quota (65,458) which results in 7 electorates.

It is of little surprise then that Whānau Ora chair Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, a former Te Pāti Māori candidate, has defended the advert as being part of her mission to advance Māori wellbeing.

Why not be truthful, advancing the growth of the Maori roll is the purpose. Nothing more, nothing less!

When questioned about the advert, Minister of Maori Development, Tama Potaka explained that he had asked Māori development agency Te Puni Kōkiri, funding manager for Whānau Ora, to review the advert and ensure public money had not been used for “electioneering”.

“If public funding which has been set up to help whānau in need has been used for electioneering, that is unacceptable.” No sh-t Sherlock! This is a well-worn path!

These so called “leaders” of the Maori sovereignty movement expertly epitomize the stupidity and inanity of their cause.

Rawiri Waititi, during the parliamentary debate on the suspension of Maori Party MP’s, self-importantly proclaimed ‘…we will not be assimilated…we make no apology for being absolutely, unapologetically, unfettered, unbridled Maori human beings…” 

At best, most activists, if not all, would have no more than 25% of Maori blood in their veins! By that fact itself: They are not Maori!

They are IMPOSTORS and CHARLATANS perpetrating a massive fraud on our country.

And what makes this worse, the asinine chumps we have foolishly elected to protect our democracy are blissfully abetting its demise!

I suggest there is a bigger problem that needs to be solved if we are to retain our country.

Are we a strange people or not? So many New Zealanders stood up and were counted and protested against the abhorrent apartheid regime in South Africa.

Yet when racism is staring us in the face in our own country, we are totally apathetic!

Are we sleepwalking into He Puapua/Maori sovereignty? There is going to be a lot of shocked and disillusioned people clutching their pearls when this happens!

The moral outrage will be vast. But too late folks the horse called democracy will have bolted! 

John Porter is a citizen, deeply concerned about the incremental loss of  democracy and the insidious promotion of separatism.