Post by Kiwi Frontline on May 17, 2016 10:30:22 GMT 12
Dominion Post 17/5/16
THE KEY TO DEMOCRACY
It beggars belief that those pushing race-based agendas in our government bodies start crying racism when people object. Democracy has been successful in keeping the peace in Western countries precisely because it's based on equality of citizenship. Playing around with this fundamental rule to give greater entitlement to self-interest groups is a recipe for disaster (just look at the Middle East). It breeds the sort of anger. resentment and nastiness that New Plymouth Mayor Andrew Judd says he's been subjected to.
Our current MPs. who have been elected by voters on the general roll demonstrate that race is not an issue to Kiwis. Although putting what's good for our cities or country ahead of one's own personal or family interests probably is. Being prepared to work hard for the entire population, not just your mates, is also important.
No person or group should ever be guaranteed an easier, unchallenged route into government. Long live our democracy. It's certainly taking a battering at the moment.
F M
Whangaparaoa
LGNZ ACTIONS (Also published in the NZ Herald 17/5/16)
Are ratepayers aware 'their' rates help pay their councils' member-ship to Local Government NZ?
In August last year, LGNZ president Lawrence Yule signed a memorandum of understanding with the Freshwater Iwi Leaders Group. Local Government NZ has done a deal to create partnership obligations to councils involving "economic development, environment, infrastructure, employment, social issues, health, housing, energy and local democratic representation and decision making".
Meanwhile, the Ministry for the Environment, at Nick Smith's direction, sent a group of ministry employees around the country to `consult' the community about fresh water. The deal is done and the Iwi Leaders Group's seven outrageous demands are virtually signed, sealed and delivered thanks to Local Government NZ.
Democracy is being sorely undermined when LGNZ can ignore 75 per cent of the rate-paying public in their wishes to tot have' representation based on ethnicity.
M A
Tauranga
The New Zealand Herald 17/5/16
MIDDLE NEW ZEALAND
Lizzie Marvelly’s blatant, sweeping and derogatory remarks on what she perceives as “white privilege” and attitudes have the potential to damage racial harmony in this country and her punitive aggression towards the so-called white-dominated middle class is regrettable. Her blatant lack of respect and “blame game” towards the majority of fairminded people in this country shows the problem is not ours but hers alone and should not be given oxygen.
B E
St Heliers.
Wairarapa Times-Age 17/5/16
BLATANTLY RACIST
I note that Nelson Rangi is claiming that opposition to the appointment of two unelected Maori representatives to the MDC (with full voting rights is “racist” ( Times-Age, May 11). Well he would say that, wouldn’t he, given that he is highly likely to be one of the appointees to what will be a rather well paid job considering the low hours required to do it.
In this case, however, I agree with him about the “racist” bit. It is blatantly racist to have even one appointee to what is a democratically- elected government organisation, based purely on their race, and without any elections being held for the post.
This whole business makes a mockery of the entire democratic process. Why bother having local body elections at all, then? Just appoint the usual suspects every three years and we can save everyone the time and cost of a bothersome election. That is where most of the unease is centred around this decision.
Where does something like this end? How long before the local iwi decide they want four unappointed people (or six, or even more) on the council?
While I fully support the concept of having iwi input and consultation into councilcontrolled areas such as waterways, reserves, etc. I am utterly against any form of voting rights being granted to anyone who has not been elected through the accepted, democratic methods. It’s called democracy Mr Rangi, and if you don’t think that there is enough Maori input into the council, then the solution is to get your people to vote, instead of holding out your begging cup and demanding to be appointed solely because of your race.
T W
Carterton
Northland Age 17/5/16
BACKLASH
Andrew Judd, Mayor of New Plymouth, claims on TV 1 May5) to be a 'recovering racist'.
The public outburst is the result of a backlash to his initiated referenda to have Maori seats on council, in which he was roundly defeated. Whilst he is entitled to his private opinion, he was elected to promote democracy, not separatism There is nothing in the Local Government Act which denies Maori from standing and being elected to council How does Andrew explain Winston Peters' on. going electoral success?
Andrew might consider reading both sides of the story. TeTiriti o Waitangi and the now authenticated Littlewood draft, which undeniably is the English draft of February 4, 1840, would be a good place to start.
Nelson Mandela spent his life promoting equality for his people, not speciality and separatism, as tribal interests have been promoting since 1975 when New Zealand'sTreaty history was rewritten.
M J A
Pyes Pa
THE KEY TO DEMOCRACY
It beggars belief that those pushing race-based agendas in our government bodies start crying racism when people object. Democracy has been successful in keeping the peace in Western countries precisely because it's based on equality of citizenship. Playing around with this fundamental rule to give greater entitlement to self-interest groups is a recipe for disaster (just look at the Middle East). It breeds the sort of anger. resentment and nastiness that New Plymouth Mayor Andrew Judd says he's been subjected to.
Our current MPs. who have been elected by voters on the general roll demonstrate that race is not an issue to Kiwis. Although putting what's good for our cities or country ahead of one's own personal or family interests probably is. Being prepared to work hard for the entire population, not just your mates, is also important.
No person or group should ever be guaranteed an easier, unchallenged route into government. Long live our democracy. It's certainly taking a battering at the moment.
F M
Whangaparaoa
LGNZ ACTIONS (Also published in the NZ Herald 17/5/16)
Are ratepayers aware 'their' rates help pay their councils' member-ship to Local Government NZ?
In August last year, LGNZ president Lawrence Yule signed a memorandum of understanding with the Freshwater Iwi Leaders Group. Local Government NZ has done a deal to create partnership obligations to councils involving "economic development, environment, infrastructure, employment, social issues, health, housing, energy and local democratic representation and decision making".
Meanwhile, the Ministry for the Environment, at Nick Smith's direction, sent a group of ministry employees around the country to `consult' the community about fresh water. The deal is done and the Iwi Leaders Group's seven outrageous demands are virtually signed, sealed and delivered thanks to Local Government NZ.
Democracy is being sorely undermined when LGNZ can ignore 75 per cent of the rate-paying public in their wishes to tot have' representation based on ethnicity.
M A
Tauranga
The New Zealand Herald 17/5/16
MIDDLE NEW ZEALAND
Lizzie Marvelly’s blatant, sweeping and derogatory remarks on what she perceives as “white privilege” and attitudes have the potential to damage racial harmony in this country and her punitive aggression towards the so-called white-dominated middle class is regrettable. Her blatant lack of respect and “blame game” towards the majority of fairminded people in this country shows the problem is not ours but hers alone and should not be given oxygen.
B E
St Heliers.
Wairarapa Times-Age 17/5/16
BLATANTLY RACIST
I note that Nelson Rangi is claiming that opposition to the appointment of two unelected Maori representatives to the MDC (with full voting rights is “racist” ( Times-Age, May 11). Well he would say that, wouldn’t he, given that he is highly likely to be one of the appointees to what will be a rather well paid job considering the low hours required to do it.
In this case, however, I agree with him about the “racist” bit. It is blatantly racist to have even one appointee to what is a democratically- elected government organisation, based purely on their race, and without any elections being held for the post.
This whole business makes a mockery of the entire democratic process. Why bother having local body elections at all, then? Just appoint the usual suspects every three years and we can save everyone the time and cost of a bothersome election. That is where most of the unease is centred around this decision.
Where does something like this end? How long before the local iwi decide they want four unappointed people (or six, or even more) on the council?
While I fully support the concept of having iwi input and consultation into councilcontrolled areas such as waterways, reserves, etc. I am utterly against any form of voting rights being granted to anyone who has not been elected through the accepted, democratic methods. It’s called democracy Mr Rangi, and if you don’t think that there is enough Maori input into the council, then the solution is to get your people to vote, instead of holding out your begging cup and demanding to be appointed solely because of your race.
T W
Carterton
Northland Age 17/5/16
BACKLASH
Andrew Judd, Mayor of New Plymouth, claims on TV 1 May5) to be a 'recovering racist'.
The public outburst is the result of a backlash to his initiated referenda to have Maori seats on council, in which he was roundly defeated. Whilst he is entitled to his private opinion, he was elected to promote democracy, not separatism There is nothing in the Local Government Act which denies Maori from standing and being elected to council How does Andrew explain Winston Peters' on. going electoral success?
Andrew might consider reading both sides of the story. TeTiriti o Waitangi and the now authenticated Littlewood draft, which undeniably is the English draft of February 4, 1840, would be a good place to start.
Nelson Mandela spent his life promoting equality for his people, not speciality and separatism, as tribal interests have been promoting since 1975 when New Zealand'sTreaty history was rewritten.
M J A
Pyes Pa