Former ACT MP Invokes Nazism In Describing “Maori Supremacy” – Maori Council Calls For Her Sacking
The New Zealand Maori Council’s Executive Director has called for the sacking of Dr Murial Newman after she quoted Nazi murder Dr Joseph Goebbels when referencing what she is calling “Maori Supremacy” in an article for the “Star News”. Mr Tukaki has labelled the article racist, a disgrace and disgusting:
“The Star should sack this right wing apologies for atrocities on Indigenous peoples and Maori, they should withdraw the article and they should not give coverage to this sort of filth – who in todays modern world feels its ok to quote a Nazi? A Nazi who we know was instrumental in the killing of millions of people? When in New Zealand society was it okay for this to be the type of free speech that was acceptable?” Said Tukaki
“Newman has written a rambling defence of her views in such a way that it is both demonising and dehumanising. It demonises Maoridom our culture, our language and we must stand up to the tide of this sort of view and opinion. That is not free speech invoking quotes from a Nazi” Tukaki said
Tukaki has also said that the leader of ACT, David Seymour, needs to ensure that Newman, a former ACT Party MP has nothing to do with the party and will also be writing to Speaker Trevor Mallard to review all of the former MPs entitlements:
“I know David is a good man and he would be crawling in his skin by one of his own former MPs invoking a Nazi but he does need to state clearly this is not the view shared by his Party. Moreover I will be writing to the Speaker of the House to ensure that there is a review of any entitlements this former MP has – the taxpayer should not be funding this sort of person to write this sort of hoha rubbish. Enough is enough.” Tukaki said
“And for the record – I will be asking the Human Rights Commission to investigate – I will say again and again until the cows come home – the invoking of Nazism in this country is not who we are are and we should not tolerate it.” Tukaki said
I’m hugely sympathetic to the sentiment of the writer. But I feel that rather than use structures to suppress this type of speech, reminding people of Godwins Law: “invoke the nazis and you lose the argument”*
I’ve found this a very effective way of dealing with this type of stuff.
*From Wikipedia:
For example, there is a tradition in many newsgroups and other Internet discussion forums that, when a Hitler comparison is made, the thread is finished and whoever made the comparison loses whatever debate is in progress. This principle is itself frequently referred to as Godwin’s law.
Stu McGregor: ““invoke the nazis and you lose the argument””
Yup. Known in some circles as “going Godwin”.
It’s a great pity that the author of this post didn’t provide a link to Newman’s piece, so that the readers could judge for themselves. It wouldn’t be the first time that an author on this site has made an omission of this sort.
I found Newman’s story and read it. Here’s the link:
https://www.nzcpr.com/the-big-lie/
In fairness to her, she doesn’t do what this post claims. She certainly talks about the Nazi-style propaganda programme, but as an exemplar to illustrate what she and others believe is happening here in NZ.
There’s no doubt whatever that Goebbels was a superb propagandist: some of his techniques survive to the present day.
And there’s no doubt that other commentators in NZ share the concerns expressed in her article. This isn’t the first time I’ve read articles of this sort. I think that Elizabeth Rata has written in a similar vein, though I don’t recall her highlighting the propaganda aspects.
Unfortunately, Tukaki, misunderstanding the point of her quoting Goebbels, attacks her for having the temerity to mention Nazism. But if a commentator is worried about the use of propaganda in this polity, of course they’d quote Goebbels: he pretty much wrote the book on it.
Newman isn’t voicing approval of Goebbels, just pointing out how he went about propagandising the German people. And she observed that some of his techniques are being used here in NZ. If Tukaki disagrees, the proper process is to point out what she’s got wrong. He doesn’t do that.