Post by Kiwi Frontline on Aug 2, 2021 16:47:24 GMT 12
DEMOCRACY ACTION NEWSLETTER – August 2021
It takes a lot to get middle New Zealand riled up enough to protest, but the Groundswell movement has tapped into discontent with the Government over a raft of issues. The organisers were blown away by the overwhelming support they received for their ‘Howl of Protest’ action, and very pleased by the reportedly unprecedented turnouts in 55 towns and cities across the country - it is estimated 30-40 thousand people, with their tractors, utes, and dogs, hit the streets nationwide. This is no mean feat - congratulations to all involved!
One issue causing concern involves recommendations in the He Puapua report. Despite protestations from Prime Minister Ardern that it is not government policy, there is mounting evidence that plans are being enacted to progressively implement the recommendations, which includes ‘breaking’ our constitutional arrangements to replace democracy with an inequitable constitution, giving a group of citizens claiming to represent the 16.7 percent of the population with Māori heritage 50 percent of the decision-making power – or more in some cases. We are seeing this in the Education, Health, and the Three Waters reforms, and in Te Mana o te Taiao - the Government’s proposed strategy on indigenous biodiversity. This strategy document would require people at all levels - central and local government, industry, non-government organisations, scientists, landowners, communities, and individuals - to partner with whānau, hapū, iwi. This applies to all land - including private land - as well as all freshwater, estuaries and wetlands, and the marine environment from the coastline to the outer edges of the Exclusive Economic Zone and the extended continental shelf.
Author John Robinson has recently published a book clarifying the threat to the rights and liberties of all ‘other’ New Zealanders posed by He Puapua, He Puapua – Blueprint for Breaking up New Zealand. This book explains the full implications of implementing the recommendations in the report. I have not read it yet but am looking forward to finding out what John has to say. Copies can be ordered from Tross Publishing
Other recommended reading on this issue includes the paper by Elizabeth Rata, ‘The Road to He Puapua – Is there really a Treaty partnership?’, in which Elizabeth examines the concept of a Treaty of Waitangi partnership and describes the path to the policy of now including the Treaty principles in most legislation.
URGENT
This week sees at least two deadlines for having your say on government policy.......
www.democracyaction.org.nz/august_2021
It takes a lot to get middle New Zealand riled up enough to protest, but the Groundswell movement has tapped into discontent with the Government over a raft of issues. The organisers were blown away by the overwhelming support they received for their ‘Howl of Protest’ action, and very pleased by the reportedly unprecedented turnouts in 55 towns and cities across the country - it is estimated 30-40 thousand people, with their tractors, utes, and dogs, hit the streets nationwide. This is no mean feat - congratulations to all involved!
One issue causing concern involves recommendations in the He Puapua report. Despite protestations from Prime Minister Ardern that it is not government policy, there is mounting evidence that plans are being enacted to progressively implement the recommendations, which includes ‘breaking’ our constitutional arrangements to replace democracy with an inequitable constitution, giving a group of citizens claiming to represent the 16.7 percent of the population with Māori heritage 50 percent of the decision-making power – or more in some cases. We are seeing this in the Education, Health, and the Three Waters reforms, and in Te Mana o te Taiao - the Government’s proposed strategy on indigenous biodiversity. This strategy document would require people at all levels - central and local government, industry, non-government organisations, scientists, landowners, communities, and individuals - to partner with whānau, hapū, iwi. This applies to all land - including private land - as well as all freshwater, estuaries and wetlands, and the marine environment from the coastline to the outer edges of the Exclusive Economic Zone and the extended continental shelf.
Author John Robinson has recently published a book clarifying the threat to the rights and liberties of all ‘other’ New Zealanders posed by He Puapua, He Puapua – Blueprint for Breaking up New Zealand. This book explains the full implications of implementing the recommendations in the report. I have not read it yet but am looking forward to finding out what John has to say. Copies can be ordered from Tross Publishing
Other recommended reading on this issue includes the paper by Elizabeth Rata, ‘The Road to He Puapua – Is there really a Treaty partnership?’, in which Elizabeth examines the concept of a Treaty of Waitangi partnership and describes the path to the policy of now including the Treaty principles in most legislation.
URGENT
This week sees at least two deadlines for having your say on government policy.......
www.democracyaction.org.nz/august_2021