Now that we know that the general election will take place on September 19, we thought it timely to reconfirm that Hobson’s Pledge stands for a better New Zealand committed to equality. We believe that:
- All New Zealanders should be equal before the law, irrespective of when they or their ancestors arrived in New Zealand;
- The Treaty of Waitangi is not in any meaningful sense New Zealand’s constitution;
- The treaty did, however, establish three important points, namely that, in signing the treaty, Maori chiefs ceded sovereignty to the Crown; that in turn the Crown would protect the property rights of all New Zealanders; and that all Maori would enjoy the rights and privileges of British subjects;
- The Treaty of Waitangi did not create a “partnership” between Maori and the Crown;
- The Treaty of Waitangi did not establish any “principles” and all references to such “principles” should be removed from legislation;
- There is no longer any need for special Maori representation in government, whether it be Maori electorates in Parliament, Independent Maori Statutory Board in Auckland, or racially based representation in other governance bodies;
- All New Zealanders have an equal interest in the quality of fresh water and in the protection of the environment;
- There is no longer any need for the Waitangi Tribunal;
- Wherever it can be reasonably established that the Crown unlawfully confiscated property from any individual or group compensation should be paid, provided however that any such compensation should be “full and final”;
- Policy measures intended to support those who need special assistance from government should be based on need, and not on ethnicity.
Watch the escalating offers of and demands for race-based preferment as the campaign heats up. Meanwhile, please help grow the Hobson’s Pledge movement by forwarding this email to your friends and family.
Submit against race-based education
You have until 5pm on Friday, February 14, to air your views on the Education and Training Bill, which adds a 15-point Treaty section that aims to instil in each child “an appreciation of the importance of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi and te reo Maori”.
While aiming to make education “simpler, more modern, and less prescriptive”, it also makes schooling subject to undefined local Maori custom as well as the over-arching and unsubstantiated assertion of a partnership between “Maori” and the Crown.
This tinkering by Mr Hipkins appears to give education and training law a brown-wash at a time when far too many pupils, perhaps especially Maori students, come out of school with a poor understanding even of English and other basic skills required to gain meaningful employment.
The Bill may be read here: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2019/0193/latest/LMS170676.html
You may make a submission by going to https://www.parliament.nz/en/ECommitteeSubmission/52SCEW_SCF_BILL_93294/CreateSubmission
Which Maori seek spectrum
An unexpected comment from a senior lecturer at Massey University, shows the fundamental problem with allocations of anything “for Maori”.
Communications lecturer Steve Elers wrote that ‘whenever the Government says "Maori interests" that is code for select organisations and individuals, not all Maori. In other words, I don't believe financial benefits from ownership of a slice of the 5G spectrum will trickle down to Maori who need it the most’.
In this instance, the Government is working with the Maori Spectrum Working Group comprised of Graeme Everton; Haami Piripi, on behalf of Iwi leaders; Te Huarahi Tika Trust (which is also identified as the Hautaki Trust); Antony Royal and Robyn Kamira, as Maori tech industry representatives; the Wellington Maori Language Board; and the New Zealand Maori Council.
Some background: In 1999, when the National-led Government auctioned off 3G radio spectrum licence.
Everton’s mother Rangiaho lodged a claim with the Waitangi Tribunal claiming that the auction breached the Treaty because she believed radio spectrum is a “taonga” and the Government had no right to sell it. The tribunal recommended in favour of Rangiaho Everton.
When Labour won the 1999 election, “Maori” were allocated one of the four 2 GHz 3G spectrum licences at a discounted price plus $5 million to develop it.
A banker and investment manager named Tex Edwards bought the allocated share of the spectrum with a cheque for $13,452,321 and developed the 2degrees network. His story is detailed here: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12255448
Petitions update
Our petition which asks Parliament to amend the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 to restore public ownership of the coastal area, put all claims through the High Court, and repeal customary marine title, while affirming customary rights has picked up 13,536 signatures. We need your support. The petition may be signed at http://chng.it/stXwrrtFLY
Our petition to evict protesters at Ihumatao, and for the Government to allow both Te Kawerau a Maki and Fletchers to proceed with their lawful business, has collected 2810 signatures. If you have not done so already, please sign our petition at http://chng.it/xPN6P55k
Frequently asked questions
- What is Hobson's Pledge? Hobson’s Pledge supporters think it is absurd to argue in the 21st century that people who chance to have a Maori ancestor, always with other ancestors too of course, should have superior rights to those who don’t. And utterly absurd that there are politicians who want to be taken seriously who still push this nonsense.
- What are the issues we're facing today?
- What are our campaigns?
Join the debate on Facebook. You may visit this page at https://www.facebook.com/hobsonspledge/
Visit our website at http://www.hobsonspledge.nz/
Grow the movement. Forward this email to your friends and family
Donate. Visit https://hobsonspledge.nationbuilder.com/donate
Buy a book. Visit http://www.hobsonspledge.nz/resources