Post by Kiwi Frontline on Oct 1, 2020 10:34:11 GMT 12
DEAR NZ CITIZEN,
Do you remember just five years ago when New Plymouth voters overwhelmingly rejected the introduction of Maori wards - with 83 percent of those who voted against the proposal? This was followed in 2017 by the rejection of race-based seats at council tables in five binding referendums across the country which clearly shows that most New Zealanders do not want their local authorities divided by race.
But here we go again - it appears local body politicians in New Plymouth and Tauranga care not one jot for the will of the people, recently voting to establish Maori wards without a mandate from their communities.
RACE-BASED SEATS ARE HIGHLY DIVISIVE
Embedding Māori representation in local government is a big deal. Separate race-based political representation, such as designated Māori seats on local government bodies, creates division within society. It forces the population to see themselves as something apart from one another, fostering a ‘them versus us’ dynamic between people of different races. Furthermore, this division incentivises leaders of these factions to overstate any existing differences between their group and the rest of society because there are political and financial rewards in doing so. There is plenty of evidence to show this is already happening to a significant degree in New Zealand.
Historically and internationally, we see the tragic results of dividing people along lines such as race, religion, politics etc, where allegiance to the ‘tribe’ becomes more important than our common humanity. Morgan Foundation researcher Susan Guthrie, in a speech given six years ago but just as relevant today, said:
“If we choose rules which create unique political rights for Maori – like special electoral wards – we risk eroding our social connectedness over time.
It’s not this generation we have to worry about, but the next one. The constitutional decisions we make today can create divisions that get worse and worse over time.”
Read the full text of Ms Guthrie’s wise words here tinyurl.com/y5rcwc3d
If a council chooses to introduce a Maori ward or constituency, their decision can be challenged through section 19ZB of the Local Government Electoral Act 2001. This gives residents and ratepayers* the right to force a referendum – if 5 percent of voters sign their petition. The outcome of the poll is binding on the council for at least two elections.
WE GET THE DEMOCRACY WE ARE PREPARED TO STAND UP FOR - CITIZENS STEP UP AND TAKE ACTION!
Concerned citizens in both New Plymouth and Tauranga, who believe voters should have a say in the establishment of Maori wards, are organizing a campaign to gather signatures on a petition to force a referendum.
CAN YOU HELP?
Collecting the required number of signatures can be a daunting task, but, as the proverb goes “many hands make light work”. Therefore, we are sending you this plea for help – please offer assistance and support to the organisers of these petitions, especially if you live in the New Plymouth or Tauranga areas – or if visiting in the coming months. Even just a few hours helping collect signatures would be greatly appreciated. The contact details for the NEW PLYMOUTH petition organisers are as follows:
- Kevin Moratti: email krmoratti@xtra.co.nz phone: 0274-246868
- Murray Chong: phone 021 936837
The petition can also be signed at 2/15B Miro Street, Merrilands. 10am - 6pm daily.
IF YOU ARE ABLE TO HELP IN TAURANGA, please let me know and we’ll pass on your contact details to the petition organisers – email Susan at: democracyaction@xtra.co.nz/
*N.B. Only those whose names appear on the local body or Parliamentary electoral roll within the local body region are eligible to sign the petition.
NOT ABLE TO HELP ON THE GROUND? YOU COULD ALSO ASSIST BY:
• writing letters to the local papers, such as the Taranaki Daily News, (New Plymouth) the Bay of Plenty Times, SunLive, and the Weekend Sun (Tauranga).
• offering financial and/or moral support to the petition organisers; and
• contacting the councillors who voted against the establishment of Maori wards to congratulate them on their stance. It has become even more important to show your support in the face of an orchestrated campaign targeted at the three councillors who did not vote in favour of a Maori ward for New Plymouth. See Stuff report ‘Postcard campaign against New Plymouth councillors who were not in favour of a Māori ward’.
THE TARGETS OF THE POSTCARD CAMPAIGN ARE:
• Mayor Neil Holdom, who abstained from the vote;
• Deputy Mayor Richard Jordan, who voted for it to go to consultation in the community; and
• Councillor Murray Chong.
You can find their contact details by clicking www.newplymouthnz.com/Council/About-the-Council/Council-People/Mayor-and-Councillors
The contact details of the four Tauranga councillors who voted in opposition to the establishment of Maori wards - Steve Morris, Andrew Hollis, Kelvin Clout and John Robson - are available by clicking www.tauranga.govt.nz/council/about-your-council/mayor-and-councillors
Finally, please SHARE THIS INFORMATION AS WIDELY AS YOU CAN to raise public awareness of what is going on.
With gratitude for your interest and support.
Democracy Action
www.democracyaction.org.nz/
Do you remember just five years ago when New Plymouth voters overwhelmingly rejected the introduction of Maori wards - with 83 percent of those who voted against the proposal? This was followed in 2017 by the rejection of race-based seats at council tables in five binding referendums across the country which clearly shows that most New Zealanders do not want their local authorities divided by race.
But here we go again - it appears local body politicians in New Plymouth and Tauranga care not one jot for the will of the people, recently voting to establish Maori wards without a mandate from their communities.
RACE-BASED SEATS ARE HIGHLY DIVISIVE
Embedding Māori representation in local government is a big deal. Separate race-based political representation, such as designated Māori seats on local government bodies, creates division within society. It forces the population to see themselves as something apart from one another, fostering a ‘them versus us’ dynamic between people of different races. Furthermore, this division incentivises leaders of these factions to overstate any existing differences between their group and the rest of society because there are political and financial rewards in doing so. There is plenty of evidence to show this is already happening to a significant degree in New Zealand.
Historically and internationally, we see the tragic results of dividing people along lines such as race, religion, politics etc, where allegiance to the ‘tribe’ becomes more important than our common humanity. Morgan Foundation researcher Susan Guthrie, in a speech given six years ago but just as relevant today, said:
“If we choose rules which create unique political rights for Maori – like special electoral wards – we risk eroding our social connectedness over time.
It’s not this generation we have to worry about, but the next one. The constitutional decisions we make today can create divisions that get worse and worse over time.”
Read the full text of Ms Guthrie’s wise words here tinyurl.com/y5rcwc3d
If a council chooses to introduce a Maori ward or constituency, their decision can be challenged through section 19ZB of the Local Government Electoral Act 2001. This gives residents and ratepayers* the right to force a referendum – if 5 percent of voters sign their petition. The outcome of the poll is binding on the council for at least two elections.
WE GET THE DEMOCRACY WE ARE PREPARED TO STAND UP FOR - CITIZENS STEP UP AND TAKE ACTION!
Concerned citizens in both New Plymouth and Tauranga, who believe voters should have a say in the establishment of Maori wards, are organizing a campaign to gather signatures on a petition to force a referendum.
CAN YOU HELP?
Collecting the required number of signatures can be a daunting task, but, as the proverb goes “many hands make light work”. Therefore, we are sending you this plea for help – please offer assistance and support to the organisers of these petitions, especially if you live in the New Plymouth or Tauranga areas – or if visiting in the coming months. Even just a few hours helping collect signatures would be greatly appreciated. The contact details for the NEW PLYMOUTH petition organisers are as follows:
- Kevin Moratti: email krmoratti@xtra.co.nz phone: 0274-246868
- Murray Chong: phone 021 936837
The petition can also be signed at 2/15B Miro Street, Merrilands. 10am - 6pm daily.
IF YOU ARE ABLE TO HELP IN TAURANGA, please let me know and we’ll pass on your contact details to the petition organisers – email Susan at: democracyaction@xtra.co.nz/
*N.B. Only those whose names appear on the local body or Parliamentary electoral roll within the local body region are eligible to sign the petition.
NOT ABLE TO HELP ON THE GROUND? YOU COULD ALSO ASSIST BY:
• writing letters to the local papers, such as the Taranaki Daily News, (New Plymouth) the Bay of Plenty Times, SunLive, and the Weekend Sun (Tauranga).
• offering financial and/or moral support to the petition organisers; and
• contacting the councillors who voted against the establishment of Maori wards to congratulate them on their stance. It has become even more important to show your support in the face of an orchestrated campaign targeted at the three councillors who did not vote in favour of a Maori ward for New Plymouth. See Stuff report ‘Postcard campaign against New Plymouth councillors who were not in favour of a Māori ward’.
THE TARGETS OF THE POSTCARD CAMPAIGN ARE:
• Mayor Neil Holdom, who abstained from the vote;
• Deputy Mayor Richard Jordan, who voted for it to go to consultation in the community; and
• Councillor Murray Chong.
You can find their contact details by clicking www.newplymouthnz.com/Council/About-the-Council/Council-People/Mayor-and-Councillors
The contact details of the four Tauranga councillors who voted in opposition to the establishment of Maori wards - Steve Morris, Andrew Hollis, Kelvin Clout and John Robson - are available by clicking www.tauranga.govt.nz/council/about-your-council/mayor-and-councillors
Finally, please SHARE THIS INFORMATION AS WIDELY AS YOU CAN to raise public awareness of what is going on.
With gratitude for your interest and support.
Democracy Action
www.democracyaction.org.nz/