We can take inspiration from the current occupation of Ihumātao and its reminders about the wider Treaty principles of tino rangitiratanga and kawanatanga, governorship and sovereignty. In fact, those principles, and occupation as an example of passive resistance, will be more important tools through time.
The surprising flashpoint that is Ihumātao was a perfect moment for Hone to make his re-entry, bringing with him authenticity, straight talking, staunch. Back on the scene speaking to the dispossessed, disenfranchised, disappointed. I hope we can hear more of him as we get nearer to the election.
Calling for villagers not to kill elephants destroying their crops, or tigers killing their children, are just causes for us in the west. But we live in the luxury of the system that’s delivered goods to us at the expense of those communities and ecosystems and species.
Transport inequity is a class, racist (and gendered) issue that perpetuates economic inequality. Transport benefits are felt most by the already privileged, and costs are borne by the already poor and disempowered.
For years I’ve been writing on this blog and elsewhere about New Zealand’s shame in failing Māui and Hector’s dolphins. Here I go again.
In recent weeks the police were at hand to serve the interests of capital rather than the interests of justice, exhibiting class betrayal and undermining the legitimacy of the police force, and the state.
The underwhelming decision on climate change follows the disappointments of the non-binding marijuana referendum, timid welfare responses, the jettison of a recommended capital-gains based redistributive tax system, labour reform limitations, and KiwiBuild’s failure to deliver affordable homes, I’m too cynical to expect much improvement in frameworks to protect endangered species from extraction, waste or exploitation.
No wonder Winston Peters objected to the Coalition Government being called Labour-led. Because, on matters of most importance, it’s led by New Zealand First. And even though Fortune Magazine this week said Jacinda Ardern was the second most powerful leader in the world, that would make Winston the first.
After the Christchurch massacre, there’s a rightful focus on the prevalence and public access to ‘semi-automatic military-style’ guns. It takes a crisis to create change but with the loopholes in our gun laws, and in light of previous governments’ missed opportunities and the current government’s previous plans to centralise gun registration inspections, in fact, reform is overdue. Shame it took a massacre to force this change.
I don’t believe in any God, but wish I did. For what good prayers and hugs in defence against violence and terrorism have served in the past, it might provide some comfort to the believers. It’s hard to believe in the saving graces of love and hope when they can so easily be overthrown by one evil man with several guns.