ACT slammed Waititi’s comments as dangerous and disrespectful to democratic values. “This is a man responsible for horrific human rights abuses. For any New Zealand MP to look up to someone like that is deeply concerning,” an ACT spokesman said. They added that it shows a worrying acceptance of authoritarianism creeping into New Zealand politics.
But while Waititi’s controversial statement made headlines, another hero-worship moment was quietly unfolding, this time from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon himself.
In what was meant to be an off-the-record conversation, Luxon was asked who he considered to be his own modern-day hero. His response raised eyebrows: Dame Jacinda Ardern. Luxon reportedly made a point of using her full title, showing not only admiration but reverence for the former Prime Minister.
But while Waititi’s controversial statement made headlines, another hero-worship moment was quietly unfolding, this time from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon himself.
In what was meant to be an off-the-record conversation, Luxon was asked who he considered to be his own modern-day hero. His response raised eyebrows: Dame Jacinda Ardern. Luxon reportedly made a point of using her full title, showing not only admiration but reverence for the former Prime Minister.
Luxon still fondly remembers his first hug with Dame Jacinda.
Luxon is said to have praised Ardern’s firm leadership during the COVID-19 era, describing her ability to follow the directives of the World Health Organization and the World Economic Forum as "nothing short of heroic." He admired how she imposed some of the harshest lockdowns and mandates in the developed world, enforcing a two-tier society based on compliance with government orders.
According to sources close to the Prime Minister, Luxon admitted that he often stays up late rewatching Ardern’s televised COVID-19 briefings, jotting down notes and phrases. He reportedly believes that her command of the media and control over the public narrative is something to aspire to.
“Say what you like about her politics,” Luxon allegedly said, “but she had total control. That kind of leadership is powerful. She’s the greatest Prime Minister New Zealand has ever had, and if I can follow her blueprint, I’ll be knighted in no time.”
The irony wasn’t lost on political commentators, with some pointing out that while ACT’s David Seymour was attacking one MP for idolising a dictator abroad, New Zealand’s own Prime Minister was idealising a leader many still associate with division, censorship, and unprecedented state control.
Critics from the right have questioned Luxon’s judgement, with some accusing him of quietly embracing the same authoritarian tendencies that National voters rejected in the last election. Meanwhile, supporters of Ardern welcomed the praise, saying it was a sign that even her political opponents recognise the scale of what she accomplished.
As the dust settles, the country is left asking a bigger question: who do our political leaders really look up to - and what does that say about the direction New Zealand is heading in?
Matua Kahurangi is just a bloke sharing thoughts on New Zealand and the world beyond. No fluff, just honest takes. He blogs on https://matuakahurangi.com/ where this article was sourced.
10 comments:
Luxon has to go if he feels so strongly Jacinda is a hero. Maybe he needs to change to Labour! We most certainly don’t want a repeat of COVID-19 restrictions in the event of another outbreak.
This is a weird situation when PM Luxon , Jacinda and TPM are in the same paragraph together , collective and as in agreement. Just diabolical and delivering absolutely the wrong message to NZ.
Luxon merely wants to add PM to his cv. The real Luxon is what you see. People seem to want to make him into someone different than who he is. He has always been a fan of Ardern. He has always been pro-Maorification. He has always been a businessman who seized the opportunity to climb the corporate ladder. Finlayson probably mentors them all. Naturally, if you only have one faction constantly whispering in your ear you will be persuaded. Many of the people we have running our country have spent many years overseas. To name a few, Key, Luxon and the mental health spokesperson who worked for the now discredited UK health clinic (forgot his name sorry) or like the Greens are new immigrants.
Party policy difference between Labour and the Uni Party is wafer thin. NZ continues to slide into the abyss through weak leadership, while the new US President has disrupted his own country’s decline massively. The difference is day and night.
Matt Doocey worked at the notorious Tavistock Clinic and he is very pro the use of puberty blockers. The use of which has been thoroughly discredited. It' only in stupid old NZ where these toxic poisons are still lauded. The insanity is mind boggling.
Surely Luxon realises that myriads of NZers recognised immediately that Jacinda was an insincere showman. Luxon needs serious coachng. His rapid then slow speaking style is a giveaway of limited understanding. And I am not sure that the affected Yul Brunner look is much appreciated.
yep can't stand the giant thumb look!
Are you sure this is satire?
Yep, shove a lollipop in his mouth and he could be a reincarnation of Telly Savalas but Telly was much smarter in the grey matter department!
Anon@12.58 agree, or what otherwise might pass as a deodorant bottle impersonation? But Janine is right about the CV, which is all about obtaining that goal of a knighthood, as Matua 'satirically' (I don't think so) notes. But Waititi's captivation with Traore does pose a bit of a problem for the Greens who are, otherwise, a natural TMP (identity centric) coalition partner. But then the Greens these days are fundamentally ignorant, or stupid (or both), and don't recognise the threat to their own existence (no - it's not the climate), what with their tea-towel wearing obsession with the likes of the those that follow the religion of Hamas and other kindred souls who wouldn't tolerate their 'being' for a nano-second given the oppordunity (in Jacinda parlance, given she's mentioned). Also noted above. perhaps Mr Doocey could help 'thumbs up' win-over the Greens as a future coalition partner, which he'll most certainly need if he wants to remain at the political helm as the support for his party (aka National, as a consequence of its forked-tongue, lack of intestinal fortitude and inaction were it really counts) tanks.
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