The real danger for NZ First over Wally Haumaha

In the post MeToo social media environment, it is zero tolerance immediate denouncement where accusation is the new evidential threshold and due process is dead. In such an environment, it doesn’t matter that Wally Haumaha’s comments are 14 years old.

It doesn’t matter he’s apologised for those 14 year old comments.

It doesn’t matter all the amazing work he’s done during those 14 years.

In the eyes of the woke, he is a rape culture apologist who must be burnt at the stake.

Winston’s decision to kick for touch over the appointment of Haumaha by announcing an inquiry is an attempt to take the heat out of the decision and test the waters to see if the outrage dissipates or it’s a never ending season of protest outside the Pop-Up Globe level of grievance…

Dr Pauline Kingi to chair inquiry into appointment of deputy commissioner Wally Haumaha
A respected Māori leader will look into how a senior police officer was promoted without the Police Minister being told of controversial comments he made during a notorious investigation into police rape allegations.

Dr Pauline Kingi was this afternoon announced as the chair of the government inquiry into the appointment of Wally Haumaha as the deputy commissioner of police in June.

She has a Master of Laws degree from Harvard, is a past chancellor of AUT, a long track record in community and public service, and was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1999.

The inquiry will “examine, identify and report on the adequacy of the process” which led to Haumaha’s appointment, the Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters said at a press conference this afternoon.

…so far, so good.

But here’s where the spanner could crop up.

If National change their current attack which is aimed at criticising NZ First for investigating Wally (who was widely rumoured to have wanted to stand as a NZ First candidate) to siding with Wally, NZ First are in trouble.

Bridges is taste testing the culture war themes but his cross burning trip through the rural hinterland, provincial hot spots and white dominated urban areas has rammed home to him from National constituents that fourth wave feminism threatens Western Civilisation, the basic law of gravity and God.

If National come out and argue that Wally’s comments were unwise but ultimately 14 years old and that National believe in people working towards their redemption, NZ First and Labour get landed with being the social engineers again.

Winston will hope this inquiry wraps up quickly before Simon realises the talkback gold he’s been gifted.