Separatism is gaining traction within local government so Hobson’s Pledge has launched a campaign to urge voters to ascertain candidates’ views before voting in the upcoming elections.
“Our way of life is being threatened by too many politicians intent on entrenching racial division and co-governance, said Hobson’s Pledge spokesperson Casey Costello.
“Instead of focussing on vital infrastructure and services, they are putting their time and our money into establishing unelected, unaccountable, tribal-based power,” she said.
“This blatant assault on our democracy is an appalling abuse of councils’ roles and responsibilities,” she said.
When we, the public, get to vote, we vote against separatism.
In 2017, five councils proposed establishing Maori wards, ignoring the wishes of their constituents. Hobson’s Pledge supported local petitions seeking binding referenda, five of which were held in 2018, at great cost to the public.
Maori wards were rejected in Palmerston North (68.8%), Western Bay of Plenty (78.2%), Whakatane (56.4%), Manawatu (77%), and Kaikoura (80%).
Then in 2018, Environment Canterbury voted to distort “one person one vote” democracy by trying to change the law so that two Ngai Tahu tribal appointees could sit with full voting rights on the council in perpetuity.
The bill was, fortunately, voted down in April 2019 by National, New Zealand First and ACT.
The Auckland Council was set up in 2010 with an Independent Maori Statutory Board made up of tribal appointees and the council circumvented democracy by allowing these appointees to vote on key sub-committees.
After the defeat of five Maori wards proposals, both the Hastings District Council and the Otago Regional Council followed Auckland’s example and allowed tribal appointees to vote on council committees.
“With Maori leading every major political party in New Zealand, it’s redundant and condescending to suggest that if we have Maori ancestry, we must be appointed or gifted council seats or voting rights instead of standing for election on our merits,” Casey Costello said.
“And it’s completely sinister when it’s about undue influence for a wealthy tribe,” she said.
The elected councillors who voted in favour of separatism on 11 councils can be seen here:
https://www.hobsonspledge.nz/separatists_gallery.
With 78 local authorities in New Zealand, there are probably more councillors who are happy to go along with race-based voting.
Voters can find questions to put to their local candidates on https://www.hobsonspledge.nz/2019_vote.
Spare a moment for Governor Hobson
This month marks 177 years since Hobson died of stroke complications in the city he created, Auckland. His remains were buried in Grafton Cemetery. Until 1965, his death anniversary was officially commemorated.
Auckland City Early Heritage Group seeks to revive the tradition of showing respect to the first Governor by convening at his grave in two weeks on Saturday, September 14.
Due to parking logistics, all those participating will meet nearby at 10am and walk to his grave. If you want to participate in this one-hour event, please email Michael Coote [email protected].
To join the conversation with Auckland City Early Heritage Group, please like their social media page here [
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2508108682559799/] or search "Auckland City Early Heritage" on Facebook.
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?
- Who are the people behind Hobson's Pledge Trust?
- What are our campaigns?