Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: No Surprises

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  • Kyle Matthews,

    It's unfair to point out that the media's favourite mayoral rentaquote on Maori representation doesn't exactly have the best track record on this issue? That he leads the most monocultural Council in Auckland?

    I suspect he has the most monocultural constituency as well, certainly in terms of Maori citizens.

    But that's really by the by. Andy Williams could stand on his head and pull Maori councillors out his butt, it still wouldn't relate to Rodney Hide, his proclamations about wanting diversity, and his pretty average track record in that regard himself, which is a lot more relevant to what's going to happen in the future with the supercity.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I didn't tell you to shut up. Just called you on something that you tend to do a lot around here.

    Kyle: And you're still doing the "I deem you irelevant" hand wave, while dipping into the Derailing for Dummies playbook. I'm going to take my own advice and stop responding, because this kind of crap only ever seems to end up in a boring and pointless shouting match.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I suspect he has the most monocultural constituency as well, certainly in terms of Maori citizens.

    North Shore City looks like the council and community boards? In the popular imagination, perhaps, but the stats don't lie.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Carol Stewart,

    This is all getting away from the point a bit. Leaving aside cynicism about Rodney arguing for more diverse representation (which is hard to disagree with, per se), the more important point to me was that he seemed to be using 'multiculturalism' as a convenient excuse for ignoring biculturalism.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 830 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    North Shore City looks like the council and community boards? In the popular imagination, perhaps, but the stats don't lie.

    From that page:

    6.3 percent of people in North Shore City belong to the Māori ethnic group, compared with 14.6 percent for all of New Zealand.

    Sounds like it's not a "very Maori" city to me.

    For the Auckland region, the figure is 11.1%, so NSCC is way under the mean in terms of % of their population that are Maori.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Let's not get diverted into ethnicity when the proposed Maori seats on the new Auckland Council are about honouring the Treaty. It has nothing to do with the composition of the population.

    Hide clearly needs Treaty education. Should be compulsory for anyone taking up public office in this nation.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Let's not get diverted into ethnicity when the proposed Maori seats on the new Auckland Council are about honouring the Treaty.

    ORLY? You're going to have to expand on that for me.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    the more important point to me was that he seemed to be using 'multiculturalism' as a convenient excuse for ignoring biculturalism.

    This is a serious question: What exactly do you mean by 'biculturalism'?

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Craig, Article Two, tino rangatiratanga, etc. Unlike Mr Hide, you do know this stuff.

    The Royal Commission went into some depth, and were clear that the relationship of the city and its people with iwi was a big part of Auckland's unique position on the world stage over the next century.

    Seats at the top table are not about "representing" an ethnic group, only recognising the obligations arising from the Treaty that our ancestors signed.

    We only have one of those. The stuff about Pacific and Asian representation is a red herring. Unless you're on Kiwibog where it is what passes as common 'wisdom', I guess.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Carol Stewart,

    Fair question and I'm almost certainly the wrong person to give you a good answer.
    What Sacha said, and for me the key idea is recognising that Maori have special status because this is their homeland - they are not just another ethnic group, as Rodney Hide seems to be suggesting with his comment about muliculturalism.
    If Maoridom say they want dedicated Maori seats, that's good enough for me.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 830 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    I really can't see a downside. Haven't seen any answer why folk fear allocating less than a tenth of the seats. Yet they do.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    And Key trying on the line that they can't have different Maori representation arrangements just for Auckland is plain bullshit, given the obvious willingness to make this region's local governance a special case in any other way that suits the current government.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Carol:

    I've got some issues with that answer (but thanks for providing it) but am going to have to go away for a bit and think through a very careful response. You've raised some interesting questions, and don't want to (unintentionally) derail the discussion into the kind of pointless and rancid screaming match these so often turn into when they don't need to go there.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Carol Stewart,

    P'raps we could just agree to disagree on the need for separate Maori seats, Craig? My view is that the time to scrap the Maori electoral seats is when Maori say so (and yes, I do see the innate impossibility of assuming that there can be one voice for Maoridom). And now I'm way out of my depth so I'll shut up.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 830 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Carol:

    I'm absolutely certain we can agree to disagree on that (and much else) with perfect amiability. :) But there's no need for you to shut up, because you've raised in my mind some perfectly fair questions that be kicked around without getting into Kiwibog territory.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    as Rodney Hide seems to be suggesting with his comment about muliculturalism.

    When Hide uses the term 'multiculturalism', I think he really means 'model minority'.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    When Hide uses the term 'multiculturalism', I think he really means 'model minority'.

    When anyone uses the term 'multiculturalism', I tend to ask them exactly what they mean. Saves a lot of wasted time and pointless cross talk.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Kerry Weston,

    And Rodney Rhinoceros Hide is coming to Palmerston North soon to ... speak entertainingly at a retirement village! Goodness me, cuddling up to the old folks, shades of Winston, eh?

    Manawatu • Since Jan 2008 • 494 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Goodness me, cuddling up to the old folks, shades of Winston, eh?

    Not fair Kerry. Winston always cuddled up to the ol' folk. He knew he wasn't far off himself. The only ol' folk Rodney has had time for is Sir Rog. :)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Kerry Weston,

    Well, it just struck me as a bit odd - the rest home circuit when he's patently so busy. And with Winnie gone, that blue-rinse & old codger vote has to go somewhere.

    Manawatu • Since Jan 2008 • 494 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Grey Power may be a bit blue rinse ( a colour I do love) but they aint gullible and are already expressing their dismay (as brought up in the House today.) I just hope Palmy gives him the welcome he so deserves, that being the complete disrespect he has shown Auckland.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Don't want to duplicate myself so here are some links. Been arguing with folk over at the Labour MPs blog (over a couple of threads) about Maori seats for the Auckland Council. Probably not Grey Power, but they're more polite than most at the bog or standard, if not necessarily any better informed.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    You're too nice Sacha:) Hope you are comin' 2moro night? All that art'n'stuff

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Grey Power may be a bit blue rinse ( a colour I do love) but they aint gullible and are already expressing their dismay (as brought up in the House today.)

    Oh God, do you really want to get me started on that pack of prats? I know the triennial panderpalooza is not going to stop any time soon, but I'd stand up and cheer the first politician who had the balls to tell Grey Power that the entire world does not revolve around them. Seriously -- the relentless, obnoxious, engorged sense of entitlement is a wonder to behold.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Jeremy Eade,

    but I'd stand up and cheer the first politician who had the balls to tell Grey Power that the entire world does not revolve around them

    Yeh, but your talking about folks who are slowly saying goodbye to the entire world. Grey Power seems to lack a vision beyond their own deaths which is sad in itself. When i'm in grey power I'm gonna be pushing for Sonic Youth to rewrite the national anthem.

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report Reply

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