Dalziel wrote in an opinion piece that Seymour’s characterisation of how colonisation is taught suggests it “casts children as victims or villains by birth,” describing that view as “disgraceful.”
Seymour told chrislynchmedia.com he had not closely followed Dalziel’s comments but stood by his position.
“All I’ve said is that when you tell people as young children that Māori history is the foundational and continuous history of Aotearoa, and then when you say that colonisation was entirely bad, what young children take from that is that actually you’re either a victim… or a villain,” Seymour said.
He argued that framing children as victims could discourage ambition, while portraying others as villains based on ancestry was equally unhelpful.
“We should each be asking what can we do in our own time on earth rather than have the sins of the fathers visited upon the sons.”
Seymour said the new curriculum should recognise multiple strands of New Zealand’s history rather than elevating one narrative above others.
“Our country has many strands. People have come from all over the world and yes Māori history is important, of course we should celebrate it, but it’s not the only game in town. Everybody should be able to be proud of their heritage, warts and all.”
Asked whether New Zealand First’s private member’s bill to remove Māori seats would have ACT’s support, Seymour was unequivocal.
“It’s actually in the ACT Party constitution that we would like to get rid of the Māori seats,” he said.
He argued the seats were created in the 1860s to ensure Māori representation when voting was tied to individual land ownership, but said those conditions no longer exist.
“If you can remove distinctions in law that divide people by their ethnicity, you should. If there’s a vote that comes up, we’ll certainly do it.”
In last week’s State of the Nation speech in Christchurch, Seymour said he wanted “equal rights for all citizens so we can all feel part of a country with a positive and inclusive identity.”
He told chrislynchmedia.com he believed the country had drifted toward dividing people based on ancestry.
“We’re all settlers, whether it was 800 years ago in the case of some of my Māori ancestors, or just this morning people getting off the plane at Auckland International. To have this idea that people should somehow be ranked and divided as more or less special based on when their ancestors settled is really unique, and I oppose it.”
Seymour also doubled down on comments from the same speech in which he said Te Pāti Māori “frighten” him.
“What frightens me is the underlying belief system,” he said, claiming the party promotes a framework that separates “land people and treaty people.”
“I just oppose that basic idea that people should have the mark of Cain before they’re even born and be either victims or villains.”
He also criticised what he described as confrontational tactics in Parliament and on marae.
“They seem to believe that they are not bound by basic decency and respect that other people show each other. It’s their underlying beliefs and the way they believe they’re entitled to go about advancing their ideas that is frightening.”
Turning to the economy, Seymour was asked about a recent Auckland job advertisement that attracted 2500 applicants for an entry level role.
“There’s clearly not enough jobs, and that’s why we need to make sure that the government spends its money carefully,” he said.
He argued excessive government spending between 2021 and 2024 had driven inflation and high interest rates, dampening business confidence.
“The best thing the government can do, other than making sure the streets are safe and the rules are clear, is get out of the way. That’s what this government’s doing.”
Asked whether immigration settings were increasing competition at the lower end of the labour market, given that only 44 percent of applicants for the Auckland role were from New Zealand, Seymour suggested deeper structural issues.
“There’s a long term hardcore of people who have been on benefits in some cases for generations that won’t get back into the habit of working,” he said.
“We could stop immigration and try and force employers to employ those people. I don’t know that would work so well. I think what we really need in the next year is more welfare reform.”
When asked about his visit to Christchurch, Seymour said supporters were primarily concerned about the prospect of a change of government.
“You’ve got to win. If you don’t win, if the other guys get in, we’re getting out of the country,” he said supporters had told him.
“I think the biggest threat to New Zealand and its economic recovery this year is a change of government.”
Broadcaster Chris Lynch is an award winning journalist who also produces Christchurch news and video content for domestic and international companies. This article was originally published by Chris Lynch Media and is published here with kind permission.
“All I’ve said is that when you tell people as young children that Māori history is the foundational and continuous history of Aotearoa, and then when you say that colonisation was entirely bad, what young children take from that is that actually you’re either a victim… or a villain,” Seymour said.
He argued that framing children as victims could discourage ambition, while portraying others as villains based on ancestry was equally unhelpful.
“We should each be asking what can we do in our own time on earth rather than have the sins of the fathers visited upon the sons.”
Seymour said the new curriculum should recognise multiple strands of New Zealand’s history rather than elevating one narrative above others.
“Our country has many strands. People have come from all over the world and yes Māori history is important, of course we should celebrate it, but it’s not the only game in town. Everybody should be able to be proud of their heritage, warts and all.”
Asked whether New Zealand First’s private member’s bill to remove Māori seats would have ACT’s support, Seymour was unequivocal.
“It’s actually in the ACT Party constitution that we would like to get rid of the Māori seats,” he said.
He argued the seats were created in the 1860s to ensure Māori representation when voting was tied to individual land ownership, but said those conditions no longer exist.
“If you can remove distinctions in law that divide people by their ethnicity, you should. If there’s a vote that comes up, we’ll certainly do it.”
In last week’s State of the Nation speech in Christchurch, Seymour said he wanted “equal rights for all citizens so we can all feel part of a country with a positive and inclusive identity.”
He told chrislynchmedia.com he believed the country had drifted toward dividing people based on ancestry.
“We’re all settlers, whether it was 800 years ago in the case of some of my Māori ancestors, or just this morning people getting off the plane at Auckland International. To have this idea that people should somehow be ranked and divided as more or less special based on when their ancestors settled is really unique, and I oppose it.”
Seymour also doubled down on comments from the same speech in which he said Te Pāti Māori “frighten” him.
“What frightens me is the underlying belief system,” he said, claiming the party promotes a framework that separates “land people and treaty people.”
“I just oppose that basic idea that people should have the mark of Cain before they’re even born and be either victims or villains.”
He also criticised what he described as confrontational tactics in Parliament and on marae.
“They seem to believe that they are not bound by basic decency and respect that other people show each other. It’s their underlying beliefs and the way they believe they’re entitled to go about advancing their ideas that is frightening.”
Turning to the economy, Seymour was asked about a recent Auckland job advertisement that attracted 2500 applicants for an entry level role.
“There’s clearly not enough jobs, and that’s why we need to make sure that the government spends its money carefully,” he said.
He argued excessive government spending between 2021 and 2024 had driven inflation and high interest rates, dampening business confidence.
“The best thing the government can do, other than making sure the streets are safe and the rules are clear, is get out of the way. That’s what this government’s doing.”
Asked whether immigration settings were increasing competition at the lower end of the labour market, given that only 44 percent of applicants for the Auckland role were from New Zealand, Seymour suggested deeper structural issues.
“There’s a long term hardcore of people who have been on benefits in some cases for generations that won’t get back into the habit of working,” he said.
“We could stop immigration and try and force employers to employ those people. I don’t know that would work so well. I think what we really need in the next year is more welfare reform.”
When asked about his visit to Christchurch, Seymour said supporters were primarily concerned about the prospect of a change of government.
“You’ve got to win. If you don’t win, if the other guys get in, we’re getting out of the country,” he said supporters had told him.
“I think the biggest threat to New Zealand and its economic recovery this year is a change of government.”
Broadcaster Chris Lynch is an award winning journalist who also produces Christchurch news and video content for domestic and international companies. This article was originally published by Chris Lynch Media and is published here with kind permission.
6 comments:
Blaming the past for the ills of today is kindergarten thinking. Hundreds of counterexamples in history, all ignored by supposed experts.
No where is there Coalition balance in this article. If PM Luxon would allow National to support the good work of NZF and ACT leaders New Zealand would be sailing with the wind .He is determined to tack against the wind and lose votes continually . His and only his attitude will lose the 2026 election.
It's crystal clear now. No ambiguity. ACT and NZF are agreeing to abolish the Maori Seats. Therefore National only needs to come on board. It must happen now, while they have the numbers in parliament. Luxon is dithering around as usual. In parliament he couldn't answer a direct question on this. Although removal of the seats will initially be painful,(lots of hikois and protests from a loud, vocal minority), it will be well worth it in a few years time when we can refocus on making our country united and prosperous. There is no obligation to favour one group in New Zealand over another. If people can't see Luxon is the stumbling block they need to visit Specsavers.
Yes, Luxon and his acolytes are NZs biggest problem.
With ACT and NZ F he could remove the Maori seats overnight.
Look at the outrageous Bills that Ardern and Robertson put through in a hurry !
I wonder if Ms. Dalziel "will come out" and support NZF/Winston P and his attempt to legalize English as the predominate language, as it has always been since 8th February 1840.
Of recent times we have seen the "assault waves' by Maoridom to firstly ensure that Te Reo was recognized as 'their" language, then to the point of ensuring that it become "the first language" on New Zealand.
You only have to re-watch the interviews on TV News (of recent hours), with Maoridom, who now feel threatened that what "they" wanted is now under threat.
My recall of the Seats allocated to Maoridom, over past years was " a gift of a Govt" to allow them to have equal representation within Govt.
Over past years there have been some positive examples, from Maoridom who have graced the halls of Parliament Building, spoken well within The Chamber and have achieved for 'their' people thru diligence and hard work.
We have also seen those from Maoridom, who. once MMP, became the "norm" gained a seat with either National or Labour and
'supposedly' representing 'their people', but many showed just how to "leverage" the rorts of gaining the upper hand (Pita Sharples UNDRIP) that was to have no benefit for this Country.
Of those from Maoridom, who reside under the banner of Te Pati Maori, bring no relevant qualification to the Chamber, offer not possible outcome for Maori (the best example is Children and how to resolve child abuse & neglect among Maori), more interested in disruption, than progression and if media accounts are correct, turn up when it suits them.
So New Zealand we now have 2 issues facing this Country -
- changing the 'line up' within Parliament by removing seats
- the introduction of a legal protection for the English Language
> for which Maoridom will now mobilize to ensure disruption of process and that will enabled by people like - Lianne Dalziel, who during her time within the Clark Govt, showed no promise of ability, and from memory achieved nought.
To me she is another 'version' (NZ style) of Hilary Clinton.
Sadly for both ACT & NZF, they face an 'uphill' battle to achieve an outcome, and I wonder/ponder just how many within the NZ Civil Service will go out of their way to impede, rather than progress.
Brain washing children into believing they are still "guilty" and responsible for the "perceived" sins of their fathers /ancestors is reprehensible.
However, we can still observe (in some cultures) that their children are affected by the poor choices, bad habits, and harmful lifestyles of their parents, such as abuse, addiction, or criminality.
The argument can go in many directions.
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