BHN Treaty Debate Review

Pat and Chewie at BHN have created a unique online community of Kiwis who are bound by aroha, compassion and intelligence.

They have created a place where real debate can occur and they have fostered a brilliant array of talent, Spiderhoof, Brie Elliot, Paul Tuder, Sean Ackland, the list goes on and on.

Pat and Chewie have done more to build the Left than almost anyone else.

I have immense respect and love for the entire BHN crew.

Their NZCTU debate series is a welcome addition to this election, their first one on Health set the benchmark for every election debate this season.

Their second debate on the Treaty held last night in Auckland was set to be Willie Jackson, Marama Davidson, Casey Costello and David Seymour.

This was an important event because as far as I know, I was the only person who managed to actually get a debate out of Seymour on the Treaty, and this would be an important addition to that discussion.

Unfortunately Seymour and Costello, at the very last moment, pulled out of the debate because they are gutless!

ACT and NZF have used terrible racism to attack Māori and the Treaty. They have an obligation to front when the debate is put, instead they left BHN high and dry and walked away like cowards.

So instead of an election debate, BHN did what the mainstream media should be doing and had an adult conversation about the Treaty and it was actually beautiful and moving.

Marama Davidson is a cultural treasure and her ability to articulate a better future was genuinely moving.

Willie Jackson had the audience in stitches as he attacked Seymour for being a wimp.

NZEI President Ripeka Lessels, Nathan Suli from Pillaz and Kirsty Fong a Treaty educator filled out the panel and allowed for a nuanced discussion about the role of the Treaty in this country that was beautiful, emotional and insightful.

I want to pay respects to BHN and their entire team for doing something rare, making us think and reflect.

Much love to the BHN team