Karl du Fresne: Diversity training isn't much help when you're staring down the barrel of an AK47

The military has always had a distinct culture of its own – one that depends on the acceptance of order, discipline and authority. Its rituals, traditions and rigid hierarchical structure may seem peculiar to outsiders and out of step with the rest of the world, but that’s how it functions.

Most people who have served in the military would argue there’s no other way. In combat, soldiers must be able to rely on others to do what they’re told, even if it means risking their lives. This ethos permeates the armed forces even in peacetime.

But how much longer this will remain the case must be in question as the New Zealand Defence Force shows signs of succumbing to the tide of Marxist-inspired ideological upheaval sweeping through the rest of society.

John Bell: What’s in a phrase?

In recent times, it has become common practice to commence a communication to someone with Kia ora and conclude with Nga mihi or some other expression in the Maori language. This now appears to be standard practice in communications from Government Departments, state-funded institutions like schools, community organisations and even some public companies such as Contact Energy.

The body of the communication remains in English for the good reason that the writer intended it to be understood. Why, then, a salutation and conclusion in Maori?    

At the end of 2019, the CEO of Forest and Bird even went as far as to wish supporters Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Maori despite the fact that Christmas is a European Christian festival and Matariki is in the middle of the year. Has the language that served Shakespeare, Shelley, Keats, Wordsworth, Tennyson et al. so well suddenly become inadequate for beginning and ending a letter?

John Bell: Letter to Forest and Bird

Jess Winchester
Forest & Bird
WELLINGTON

Dear Jess

Membership Renewal

Thank you for your recent mailing with advice that my membership is due for annual renewal.

Sadly, after more than 40 years of membership of Forest & Bird, I must advise that I can no longer remain as a member.

This is not because of straightened circumstances, nor because of any lessening in my concern for the protection of New Zealand’s native flora and fauna.

NZCPR Weekly: A Cultural Takeover

Dear NZCPR Reader,   

In this week’s NZCPR newsletter, we examine how Maori language and culture are being used to advance a dangerous agenda, our NZCPR Guest Commentator Bob Edlin outlines the destructive influence of the ‘cultural police’, and our poll asks whether all taxpayer-funded cultural training within government should be terminated.

*To read the newsletter click HERE.
*To register for the NZCPR Weekly mailing list, click HERE.  

NZCPR Weekly: Cultural Indoctrination Week

Dear NZCPR Reader,   

This week we reveal the radical race-based agenda that Labour is progressing – including their just-announced plan to pass responsibility for some of the Marine and Coastal Area claims to a new powerful Maori Agency, our NZCPR Guest Commentator Michael Coote shares his analysis of the Government’s Maori language strategy and urges readers to make submissions, and our poll asks whether you support the Government’s Maori language revitalisation strategy.

*To read the newsletter click HERE.
*To register for the NZCPR Weekly mailing list, click HERE.  

NZCPR Weekly: Cultural Competency

Dear NZCPR Reader,   

This week, we look into cultural indoctrination within the education system, our NZCPR Guest Commentator Fiona Mackenzie outlines serious concerns over the new Code of Professional Responsibility and Standards for the Teaching Profession that will become operational on July 1st, and this week’s poll asks whether you think that cultural competency training should be compulsory for teachers.

*To read the newsletter click HERE.
*To register for the NZCPR Weekly mailing list, click HERE.