Despite plummeting to historic lows in both personal and party polling, and facing a relentless media firestorm questioning his grip on the National Party leadership, Christopher Luxon has remained curiously paralysed.
He has conspicuously failed to wield the most potent political weapon available to him since mid-2022 – the mandated voice of the New Zealand majority.
This weapon is the collective voice of New Zealanders who have long demanded the era of “grace and favour” of race-based preference extended to Māori must come to an end!
It is the very same rhetoric Luxon exploited with strategic, but very judicious, precision during the 2023 campaign to galvanise voters and to secure his seat at the top table. Back then, his posture was one of principled defiance and his stance appeared unwavering :
- “National’s position on co-governance is clear and will be applied by us in government.”(1)
- “We do not support co-governance of public services.” (1)
- “We are one country; we deliver our public services to people on the basis of need, not ethnicity.”
- “If it is genuinely about co-governance of the delivery of public services, that’s something that I feel uncomfortable with.”(2)
- “I think there is a real need for us to have a genuine, high-quality conversation around co-governance… when you don’t take the people with you… you leave people behind and it drives more division.” (2)
These are often masked by bureaucratic rebranding or subtle administrative tweeks. We are being subjected to a disturbing trend of policy backsliding. Yes, the underlying policy remains the same but the erosion of democratic equality continues and voters are left to wonder why the firm promises of the campaign trail have vanished in the halls of power.
To describe the mood of many National voters as disillusioned or deceived is a profound understatement! It is a sense of fundamental betrayal.
In hindsight, however, I think the signs were always there.
Luxon’s “co conspirator” and key player in all the political backsliding is Tama Potaka.
The hand-picking and rapid elevation of Tama Potaka following the 2022 Hamilton West by-election should have served as a clear harbinger of Christopher Luxon’s true trajectory regarding the “Maorification” of New Zealand.
Tama Potaka serves as the essential pivot point in Luxon’s political swivel. As Luxon’s hand-picked conduit to the Maori elite, Potaka is the key operative tasked with sanitising the very co-governance frameworks that Luxon and National once vowed to dismantle.
Potaka was not merely a candidate, he was a strategic acquisition. Bypassing local options, Luxon headhunted Potaka to spearhead a “diversity” drive that many now interpret as a concerted effort to cement Māori-centric policy into the National Party’s DNA. Luxon’s public critiques of his own party’s lack of diversity were the opening salvos in a campaign to install a loyalist who could confidently bridge the gap between the National front bench and Maori elite.
As the Minister for Māori Development, he is more than just a minister. He is a sophisticated mouthpiece, the one who expertly navigated the hurdles and complexities that allowed the integration of tikanga into the halls of Parliament.
Potaka is the man Luxon has tasked with smoothing the way for race-based policies while sheltering the Prime Minister from any resultant political heat. Potaka acts as the primary protector of Luxon’s complex Māori agenda. Potaka has become Luxon’s indispensable emissary!
The political cost of this Luxon/National betrayal can no longer be treated as theoretical. The polls very graphically portray public sentiment. The National Party support has stumbled to such a precarious position the very survival of the coalition is threatened!
As the National Party’s support erodes, its coalition partners appear to be distancing themselves from Luxon. Both Seymour and Peters have remained uncharacteristically silent on the contentious issue of co-governance. And as we all well know, co-governance is bread and butter to these two!
This raises a critical question; How do you explain this restraint from two politicians typically known for their outspokenness? With an election on the horizon, it seems likely they are distancing themselves from Luxon’s agenda to protect their own political territory.
By staying quiet Seymour and Peters avoid accountability for the government’s failure to deliver on core campaign pledges. This silence acts as a very convenient shield (and indicator?), allowing them to ignore the uncomfortable reality that ‘business as usual’ (Maorification) continues.
Race-based politics, that many argue, are furnished in the form of thinly disguised co-governance linked to the Government’s ongoing appeasement of Maori, is alive and well under National. While the coalition pledged to uphold the ‘equality of citizenship’ outlined in the Treaty of Waitangi, current policies suggest a continued appeasement that prevents a truly level playing field.
National backbenchers in provincial seats are reportedly sounding the alarm, as they are going to bear the brunt of voters disenchantment. They see Luxon’s preference for “behind-closed-doors” appeasement (as noted by Wendy Geus in link below) as a direct threat to their own political survival.
A recent article by political commentator Wendy Geus, I think, sums up the feelings of many National voters very well.
https://breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2026/03/wendy-geus-seymour-must-demand-luxon.html
As Wendy Geus aptly noted, Luxon appears to find “appeasement (preferably behind closed doors at the Iwi Chairs Forum) easier than acting in the public’s best interest.” Enter Potaka, the architect of that relationship, the key figure fashioning the very “grace and favour” extensions Luxon once promised to dismantle!
In her article Wendy talks about Peters promise “…to eliminate Maori Treaty clauses in public services…” which, she says, “…would have atoned somewhat for his opposing the Treaty Bill, has mysteriously petered out.”
The commitment to eliminate Māori Treaty clauses in public services was a cornerstone of the New Zealand First–National coalition agreement. The objective was to replace vague, all too flexible principles with explicit language, thereby limiting the judiciary’s role in delivering “elastic” interpretations of Treaty obligations.
Bizarrely, this high-stakes task that was certain to draw fierce opposition from the Waitangi Tribunal and Māori leadership, was delegated to Paul Goldsmith, Minister of Justice and Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, to action.
That raises questions such as; Why was such a contentious portfolio assigned to him? Why would Peters allow the spotlight on an issue that has significant voter interest, to be moved to Goldsmith?
Is this just Mr Macheavelli “doing his thing”!
By assigning the work to Goldsmith, the policy ceases to be viewed as a “rogue” NZ First demand and thus becomes an official Cabinet-led, Government initiative. By having a National minister in charge, Peters gains significant political leverage while shielding his own party from the intense backlash from Maori elite.
Strategic positioning?
A friend enquired from ACT about the Report’s progress. She was told the report is “stuck inside Cabinet”.
No surprises there. Conveniently now too late for any legislative action before the election?
It is worth having a look at Democracy Action’s take on the panel Goldsmith has appointed to provide initial advice on the “Māori Treaty clauses in public services” review. https://www.democracyaction.org.nz/review_of_treaty_principles_in_legislation
My opinion is Mr Luxon will only understand just how disenfranchised National voters feel come late in the day of November 7th when polling booth results begin to show just how much the Luxon led National has alienated its voter base!
Instead of the transparency Luxon once championed, we are witnessing the systematic, quiet implementation of co-governance frameworks, under the radar!
References
- https://www.democracyaction.org.nz/where_the_parties_stand_on_co_governancehttps://www.democracyaction.org.nz/where_the_parties_stand_on_co_governance
- https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/464214/luxon-backs-co-governance-debate-shies-from-referendum
- https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/01/24/ratana-luxon-says-co-governance-debate-divisive-and-immature/
Pee Kay writes he is from a generation where common sense, standards, integrity and honesty are fundamental attributes. This article was first published HERE
15 comments:
Yes, we rural voters face a difficult choice. I don’t want to vote for National in any way. But the alternative parties do not run candidates in all the rural regions. It leaves us without representation.
Is it pertinent to state - "If the hat fits, then wear it".
See the picture and read the article, Pee Kay has 'found a hat shop' and has prudently ensured that the hat 'selected' will fit.
Sadly for NZ and the forthcoming General Elections, which Political Party "do we turn to, that can lead", the emphasis on the word "lead".
And sorry neither ACT or NZ1st have that capability. Neither does Labour.
If I am typical of the NZ public (which is along shot as I'm a bit long in the tooth) I have been becoming increasingly angry with Luxon and National over their failure to address Maorification and co-governance. We saw through Luxon at a meeting pre-election in Kerikeri. His interactions with the iwi-chairs sicken me to the core and we see Potaka as akin to Joseph Goebbels the propagandist and puppet master of a previous political party. Heck, he even looks like him! I want this pair gone from the political scene at the next election but a whole lot of people need to wake up before that will happen.
Ok, here is one from left field, is Luxon a Labour party plant?
Act has my vote now.
Votes are drifting from National a little to NZF and Act go up and down. They drift to labour over the economy and that may well get the Labour-led bloc over the line. So many folk I talk to are unaware of the degree of Maorification continuing, or do not care, say it doesn't affect them, or they do not want to be called racist, or as one said: I am ot interested I just want a pay rise.'' If labour offers more free stuff they will vote labour
I think Luxon/National party, are underestimating the number of voters who strongly object to the Maorification of new zealand. It is not the small minority they are hoping.
It will be the downfall of National.
We do care about the economy but NZ needs everyone to feel valued and equal for the economy to grow
Is it co-governance or apartheid?
Whichever , it's beyond me how so many politicians are happy are going down this path.
I was chatting to a bus driver the other week. He had had enough of Labour but had not heard of He Puapua. I suggested he read it. I have a "friend" who is a leftie and an antisemite (amongst other things - the Jews LEFT Israel he says - no they were FORCED OUT) who thinks I catatrophise about Maorification and that the radicals are only a small group. I took great umbrage at him also calling me STUPID - no-one does that and my real friends know that I am far from it and I do a lot of reading and listening on the subject of the Maori takeover of NZ! True we'll both be dead by the time He Puapua really kicks in and there is a civil war
Dear Anon, of 30 March @ 12:06 Pm - if good person, you think this malaise is "only " applicable to the Commonwealth Country -[legally] known as New Zealand, then can I ask you to 'cast your eyes' to the Northern Hemisphere , to the Nation known as Great Britain and review the issues they have with
- an ongoing & increasing number of illegal immigrants from either Arab and African Nations, in the majority males
- the ongoing & increasing issues, with above when it comes to Law & Order to which English Police forces are having issues in dealing with
- London, that is fast becoming a Muslim City, aided & abetted by The Mayor Sadiq Khan, and their
> use of Public Spaces to hold prayer meetings - this includes Trafalgar Square
> the stopping of foot traffic along the streets (of non Islamic People) that are predominate Muslim Enclaves (very similar to what has happened in Sweden)
> the lack of "action" [rather a strange word to use for this person] - by Keir Starmer.
And the final issue - is the malaise of the wider (white) English population to this and when English Citizens 'rise' to speak out, it is not uncommon for the 'white' population to go "anti" on against them & what they are saying.
Some are waking "up to the issue" and many state it may be to late - Maorification of NZ, has been a problem for some time, Luxon has only become the "Keir Starmer" of NZ - aiding & abetting the process.
No one, and I mean no one, should be surprised with Nationals performance re this subject. The track record is extensive and transparent. Labour and National are joined at the hip on this path and we are 50yrs plus in.
Act and NZF both have questionable track records in this area themselves and is unclear to what extent they are prepared to unwind the disaster that is NZ. Both have voted many questionable treaty settlements through, which in themselves contain preferential elements at the expense of other citizens, regardless of ethnicity, and is unlikely they will touch them. Iwi influence everything that goes on in NZ period, through various vectors. Iwi dominate NZ society at the expense of all citizens.
Preferential treatment based in ethnicity has been in vogue in NZ historically in many forms. There is a cloister within NZ society that has never stood on their own merit; through preferential treatment and enjoyed Rights above those of other citizens. It is long overdue that section 3 of the Treaty was actually honoured.
Race needs to be removed from the equation and govt books period. Be wary of Acts principles bill as it too embeds Race further. You might not get the outcome you think.
Race has no place in our governance as it contravenes section 3 of the treaty that granted the same rights as British subjects under the sovereign crown [Queen Victoria at the time].
Also note that the Littlewood treaty is not acknowledged by parliament, or the meaning and intent of the actual treaty in its time and consciousness. The foundations of treaty settlements are not sound, including many elements of preferential treatment and dominating influence imposed on other NZ citizens.
Another issue perplexing NZ; will NZF run with Labour or National?
Talk is cheap, what will you really get from NZF and Act if vote them in? If the matter at hand is of grave concern to the NZ Public, the only avenue open is to canalise both National and Labour, to give NZF and Act the governing authority to walk the talk. Thus, giving them no place to hide, or the NZ people.
The alternative is to limp on as was are till the final axe falls re what it means to be a NZ citizen.
None of the choices we are faced with are glowing recommendations.
Sorry for the length.
No they’re not. I’m still in favour of representative democracy.
I have lately been in contact with Taranaki Cathedral [St Mary's] Strangely, they have NO CONTACT INFORMATION on their website www.taranakicathedral.nz and this is most unusual. This is deliberate. They do not want to hear from the people at large in New Plymouth .... SCARED of what they might hear. It is a totally maorified outfit. Run by Maoris....
Whether NZers are aware or not, co-governance and tribal rule are already installed. This goes beyond the many areas where Maori have superior rights and privileges as it moves into governance. A new phase is starting with the reports that local councils are installing different types of CG arrangements with local Iwi representatives. Modalities vary by council: observer status, voting rights, attendance at main council meetings or selected committees. Some - if not all - of these unelected person can hold veto rights any council decision.
This is minority rule in practice: an unelected minority is empowered to approve or reject council decisions. Gradually this could expand to national decision -making with 2 chambers of which 1 would be Maori and hold final veto - as per the He Puapua model. At no point will NZers ever be asked to approve this new ethnocracy which has replaced their representative democracy - by stealth.
People who fail to see this do so at their peril.
When one class of people receives privileged favour without productive effort, it means everyone else must work harder to support them. No wonder NZ has dismal per capita productivity. We will not get pay rises until there is a fairer playing field. It reminds me of athe Rat tree that climbs up it's host, until eventually the host dies.
In response to anonymous@8.25, can you tell me if the original headstones in the cemetery still stand; particularly those that refer to: 'murdered by maoris' or to 'rebel maoris' etc.?
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