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  • More erosion of democracy in local government

    Posted by · October 20, 2023 11:07 AM

    Auckland Council will be making a decision next week about whether or not to establish Maori Wards for the 2025 local body elections. 

    Can you take the time to tell Councillors that we do not want more division?

    I asked you recently to make submissions to Auckland Council regarding the establishment of Maori Wards. Despite a strong response opposing this race-based representation, Auckland Council is still going ahead and will be voting on the matter shortly. Unfortunately, there are some staunch supporters of Maori Wards on the Council.

    Surprisingly, this seems to be a difficult subject for Councillors to take a stand on and we want to remind them that it is not racist to defend democracy.

    We have written up a template letter to help you easily e-mail Auckland Councillors to ask them to oppose Maori Wards. You can find it here.

    Auckland Council has some big challenges ahead, but prioritising race-based representation on their to-do list does a disservice to Aucklanders and to our democracy.

    I am asking you to take a moment to send a message that will support those councillors who are opposing division by race and remind those who are undecided what you expect of them as representatives of ALL Aucklanders.

    Your voice does make a difference. Please take a moment to keep our elected representatives focused on what is needed to improve outcomes for us all.

  • What should National prioritise in order to end division?

    Posted by · October 17, 2023 11:06 AM

    From the moment the first numbers came in on Saturday evening, those of us hoping for a change of Government could take a deep breath. New Zealand had voted for change. 

    Over the coming days, there will be much hype and analysis over how the next Government will be formed and who will hold key positions.

    Regardless of how it plays out, we know that a majority of New Zealanders voted for parties that have committed to undoing the race-based division that has been forced upon New Zealanders over the past six years.

    BUT, our work is not over. Far from it.

    Over the next few weeks, we will work through the policy commitments made and make sure that we are ready to keep the pressure on National, Act, and New Zealand First, so that these commitments are realised.

    We cannot be complacent. National Governments have historically had a tendency to pick up where Labour left off rather than reset according to the mandate they have from voters. 

    Now is not the time to take our foot off the pedal.

    As this new Government is formed and coalition talks progress, National must prioritise:

    1. Delivery of health services on the basis of need, not race.
    2. Dismantling of the Maori Health Authority.
    3. Removing of co-governance.
    4. Protecting the name of our country: New Zealand.
    5. Rewriting the ahistorical history curriculum for schools.
    6. Returning to use of English in public service, road signage etc.
    7. Resolving the increasing conflict around the role of tikanga in law.
    8. Re-establishing the right of ratepayers to decide whether to have Maori wards

    I know that there needs to be a pause while the incoming Government sets the wheels in motion, but we shouldn't allow ourselves to get distracted or complacent.

    With your support, Hobson's Pledge can play an important role in holding this new Government to the promises it has made.

  • Did you see our final election newspaper ad?

    Posted by · October 13, 2023 11:05 AM

    Tomorrow evening, we will be counting votes to find out if we have succeeded in voting out Labour.

    Hobson's Pledge, with your support, has campaigned for equality and unity. We have advocated for democracy and against race-based law-making.

    This week, we placed this full-page advert in newspapers across the country. 

    Your vote can ensure that this Labour Government receives a clear message that their agenda of division is not acceptable to New Zealanders.

    I know that a change of government is not the endgame.

    There will be much to be done to hold the political parties and politicians accountable for the promises they have made.

    But for now, just make sure that you and your friends and family vote.

    Finally, thank you for your support in this fight for democracy. We have done all we can to make our voices heard; it would not have been possible without you and your willingness to engage in this important issue.

    Bring on the 54th New Zealand Parliament.

  • Do you belong in NZ?" What Kiwis told us.

    Posted by · October 10, 2023 11:03 AM

    A few weeks ago, we told you that Hobson’s Pledge had been supporting a social media campaign to connect to more New Zealanders and talk about race relations.

    Through this campaign, we found that race-based division is effecting many Kiwis from all walks of life. Here are some examples of what they have been saying:

       

    What is clear is that race-based division is impacting the lives of Kiwis whatever our ancestry or our race.

    These comments, and the many others we read, are confronting and demonstrate how far racism has been allowed to infiltrate our day-to-day lives under false interpretation of the obligations from the Treaty of Waitangi.

    This election your vote can send a clear message that New Zealanders do not want to be differentiated in our legal or democratic rights based upon when we or our ancestors came into this country.

    Firstly, the most important thing is that you VOTE. Vote now, vote any time between now and Saturday evening, just make sure you VOTE. This election is far from “in the bag” and every vote will count.

    Secondly, vote for the parties that have committed to stopping race-based division.

    With your vote we can bring about a correction shifting away from the agenda of co-governance that is delivering unelected, unaccountable appointments that undermine the democratic authority of our elected representatives.

    Finally, make your vote count by voting for parties that will, on latest polling results, pass the threshold of 5%, or pick up an electorate seat, and therefore make it into Parliament.

  • Why is it all about race…….

    Posted by · October 09, 2023 1:24 PM

    As we reach the final week of political campaigning and media posturing, it is a good time to reflect.

    When Hobson’s Pledge was launched to defend equality before the law and to protect our democracy, we faced skepticism and dismissal from both the media and politicians of the day.

    Seven years on, there is not a single public meeting, media interview, or political debate that does not include a question about race and division.

    We think the facts are clear: without Hobson's Pledge's lobbying, campaigning, and petitioning, the whole issue of race and co-governance would have been largely swept under the carpet.

    Over the last few weeks, we have published full-page adverts, billboards, and even circulated bumper stickers in defence of equality and unity.

      

    Even a year ago, such publications and images would have sent the media and some members of the public into a frenzy with accusations of racism.

    The fact that, rather than attacking the messenger, we are able to debate issues is a victory for democracy, and I thank you all for your continued support that has made this possible.

    Professor Elizabeth Rata highlighted the need for rational communication in her recent article:

    Elizabeth Rata: Two Treaties of Waitangi: The Articles Treaty and the Principles Treaty – Democracy Project

    Her words highlight the importance of engaging in the discussions this election, asking the difficult questions, and ensuring your voice is heard:

    “Democracy is not just arriving at a decision. It is the act of rational communication that enables the decision to be made.”

    We have seen recurring instances of accusations of racism and the use of victim narratives to silence sensible discussion.

    Professor Rata’s observations are very poignant: “Let us insist on democracy’s rational communication in all its complexity and disturbing power so that we know what we mean when we speak and we can justify the meaning in explicit argumentative logic. Let us insist that our parliamentary representatives do the same."

    Just this week, the co-leader of the Maori Party expressed his disdain for democracy when he stated, “I am not a fan of democracy because democracy is the tyranny of the majority.”

    This election offers us an opportunity to ensure that our government truly represents ALL New Zealanders and holds those elected accountable for delivering outcomes that do not divide us based on who our ancestors were.

    Co-governance is an attack on our democracy.

    And, according to the latest polls, the parties likely to enter Parliament after October 14 have all taken positions on co-governance.

    Click here to find out where the parties stand

    Your vote is crucial in this election. It's your chance to send a clear message that we want better governance, not co-governance.

    Authorised by: Hobson’s Pledge, Suite 311, 184 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010

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