Post by Kiwi Frontline on May 18, 2024 17:01:11 GMT 12
Gerry Eckhoff: METIRIA TUREI’S COLUMN.
In 2021 the then Labour Government decided to change the law that specifically required a referendum to allow for the creation of new Maori wards. Under the Ardern labour Government, Maori wards could be created as of right by a simple majority decision of councillors, The Labour government - fully supported by the Greens, publicly notified the proposal that no referendum was to be necessary if councils alone thought it was appropriate to have Maori wards. So, in 2022 the law was changed to allow councils to unilaterally create Maori wards . The new National led government wants to revert back to a referendum process before any new exclusive wards can be created - which most would see as democracy in action. It is that process to which Ms Turei strenuously objects.
Ms Turei refers to the old law as racist; possibly because it treated all races equally. Her account of why the law was changed recently is disingenuous. The creation of new Local Government wards has always been based on population growth in an attempt to balance out the number of representatives deemed to be needed in a given area. The growth of Queenstown, Wanaka ,Cromwell for example has been exponential compared to the towns of Balclutha, Clinton and Milton so it is reasonable to assume the number of existing representatives, requires to be adjusted from time to time to reflect that reality. In no way does the ethnicity of council members have any relevance in their ability to stand and be elected. Dunedin has in recent times had successful mayors of Indian and Chinese heritage along with Pacific Island councillors who don’t seem to find the barriers that Ms Turia finds lurking in every corridor of local authorities. Having one vote does not appear to be a problem to any one with the exception of Ms Turei who appears to forget that she was elected to parliament under the Green banner and not the Maori party who exclusively benefit from designated seats.
There is also the long standing problem of what is euphemistically called consultation by councils or indeed by government concerning representation on councils and most other issues. Consultation is now generally accepted as simply councils or political party’s displaying their wares ; it’s called window dressing with no price tag displayed. Sometimes with the occasional dummy or two on display as well.
Ms Turei is entirely correct in her statement that “legislation that intentionally discriminates a specific group of people based on their ethnicity is racist”. That same principle unequivocally applies also to any privilege being entrenched, based on race.....
breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2024/05/gerry-eckhoff-metiria-tureis-column.html
In 2021 the then Labour Government decided to change the law that specifically required a referendum to allow for the creation of new Maori wards. Under the Ardern labour Government, Maori wards could be created as of right by a simple majority decision of councillors, The Labour government - fully supported by the Greens, publicly notified the proposal that no referendum was to be necessary if councils alone thought it was appropriate to have Maori wards. So, in 2022 the law was changed to allow councils to unilaterally create Maori wards . The new National led government wants to revert back to a referendum process before any new exclusive wards can be created - which most would see as democracy in action. It is that process to which Ms Turei strenuously objects.
Ms Turei refers to the old law as racist; possibly because it treated all races equally. Her account of why the law was changed recently is disingenuous. The creation of new Local Government wards has always been based on population growth in an attempt to balance out the number of representatives deemed to be needed in a given area. The growth of Queenstown, Wanaka ,Cromwell for example has been exponential compared to the towns of Balclutha, Clinton and Milton so it is reasonable to assume the number of existing representatives, requires to be adjusted from time to time to reflect that reality. In no way does the ethnicity of council members have any relevance in their ability to stand and be elected. Dunedin has in recent times had successful mayors of Indian and Chinese heritage along with Pacific Island councillors who don’t seem to find the barriers that Ms Turia finds lurking in every corridor of local authorities. Having one vote does not appear to be a problem to any one with the exception of Ms Turei who appears to forget that she was elected to parliament under the Green banner and not the Maori party who exclusively benefit from designated seats.
There is also the long standing problem of what is euphemistically called consultation by councils or indeed by government concerning representation on councils and most other issues. Consultation is now generally accepted as simply councils or political party’s displaying their wares ; it’s called window dressing with no price tag displayed. Sometimes with the occasional dummy or two on display as well.
Ms Turei is entirely correct in her statement that “legislation that intentionally discriminates a specific group of people based on their ethnicity is racist”. That same principle unequivocally applies also to any privilege being entrenched, based on race.....
breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2024/05/gerry-eckhoff-metiria-tureis-column.html