Te Pāti Māori not only released a radical Treaty of Waitangi policy this week that would upend New Zealand’s democracy as we know it, co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said the whole policy was a bottom line, meaning it was non-negotiable.
That means Te Pāti Māori would not sign up to a centre-left Government unless it agreed to its policy, and that is the crucial factor. That’s not only a coalition killer, it will make it less likely the parties of the left are elected.
You’d expect Te Pāti Māori policy to be radical and unlike any other party’s. You’d expect the party to champion the Mātike Mai report on constitutional change and make some gains in any coalition agreement.
But to suggest that a 3% party should impose an unelected Te Tiriti of Waitangi Commission with authority over the Government to overturn or prevent Cabinet decisions that it believes breach the Treaty is off the planet.
To suggest that it would be non-negotiable is unfathomable.
To be very clear, TPM’s non-negotiable bottom line is the end of democratic parliamentary sovereignty in NZ. This is what a change of government could deliver.
David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition Leaders
4 comments:
At least TPM are upfront about it, unlike Labour with He Puapua.
And no comment from Hipkins?????????
TPM view and that of some Labour folk I know (white) personally is that ''Maori'' (as in identity and ignoring the fact they are all part white but disown it ) should have final say over everything as it ''belongs to them''.
There are only so many hours in a day, and I have to consider my blood pressure. So I do not monitor many msm.But in this case would reasonably expect mass comment as by Farrar above. But apparently not. The artful tikanga of a clearly implied threat of utu and violence has the intended effect and editors and other commentators cower.
Post a Comment
Thank you for joining the discussion. Breaking Views welcomes respectful contributions that enrich the debate. Please ensure your comments are not defamatory, derogatory or disruptive. We appreciate your cooperation.