Luxon blunders again

Written By: - Date published: 2:38 pm, January 26th, 2023 - 25 comments
Categories: Christopher Luxon, Maori Issues, Maori seats, MMP, national, politicans, same old national, uncategorized - Tags:

National Party strategists must be worried.  Because Christopher Luxon keeps displaying this innate ability to open his mouth and then insert his foot.

The latest example concerns Co Governance.  Luxon has this pattern of behaviour where he asks a million questions and then hints darkly that the reason the Government has not addressed these questions is because there is some sort of conspiracy afoot.  With Co Governance there is the added benefit as far as National is concerned that questioning co governance is attractive to racists who make up a significant proportion of National’s potential support.

He was asked yesterday if he thought Maori seats were appropriate and replied that they did not make a lot of sense.  From Radio New Zealand:

Historically, that has been something that we’ve said – look, one person one vote – that doesn’t make a lot of sense in our view,” Luxon replied.

“But the reality is, being quite pragmatic… the Māori seats have been present in our system for some time. They’re not going away.”

This raises major concerns about his understanding of the electoral system.  Under MMP one person’s party vote is worth exactly the same as any other person’s party vote.  And electorate seats, whether European or Maori, are designed to have approximately the same number of voters in them.

His understanding of Co Governance was very flawed.  Again from RNZ:

We’ve understood the word co-governance to mean local government working with local iwi on the management of local natural resources in the context of Treaty settlements,” he said.

“What we’ve seen is that word has been taken and put into a completely different context with the creation of what would actually be separate and different delivery of public services. We do not want two systems of health, two education systems, two justice systems.

“Those issues that are of national importance in the delivery of public services are very different from localism and devolution where there is good partnership happening, and actually excellent results being achieved in the co-management or co-governance of local natural assets in the context of Treaty settlements.”

There are so many questions arising from this.  Like why has National completed so many Co Governance arrangements like the Waikato River Treaty Settlement, the Tuhoe settlement, the Whanganui River Claims Settlement or a myriad of other arrangements.  And why does he object to two education systems?  Does he want to shut down all Kohanga Reo and Kura?

Former National Minister Chris Finlayson has earlier written this acerbic take on criticism of Co Governance which is still relevant.  The article includes this gem:

“Co-governance” has become a term that people don’t understand. They think it means co-government.

People who are frightened by co-governance think they’ll be locked out of access to our natural resources, for example. When what it really means is that involving iwi in a myriad of decisions can actually result in a better country.

The people I call “the KKK brigade” are out there. They dream of a world that never was, and never could be. They are the people — and these words aren’t mine but are taken from a former British foreign secretary — that you can call the “sour right”. They don’t really understand tangata whenua. They don’t like change.

There are always going to be people like that, and you have to be reasonably charitable towards them for a while — and then just ignore them and get on with things.

He offers these thoughts on what Co Governance may include:

I think that “Treaty partnership” may, in fact, be a better term for the concept of co-governance. Because it reflects the reality that there are longstanding historical links that tangata whenua have with our natural resources.

Take the Wanganui River, for example. Iwi stood on the banks and watched their eel weirs be destroyed, watched hydroelectric developments harm the river, and watched farming practices pollute the water. They saw all of this, and because they have a fundamental belief that “I am the river and the river is me”, they had a duty to do something about it.

That’s where the whole idea of a Treaty partnership in relation to a particular natural resource comes in. I see absolutely nothing wrong with that.

His conclusion is also spot on:

I find these days in central government that there are many people who have learned a few mihi, can do a karakia, or can sing a waiata, but they still don’t truly get it. They’re obsessed with the form but not the substance. While those superficial things may help people feel good, they don’t capture what is required for our future.

I will continue to talk about co-governance as something to be embraced, not feared — and some people won’t like it. Bad luck.

We must be interested in, and talking about, the substance of power-sharing to make sure that we are continually breathing life into our Treaty and our agreements.

Luxon has learned some Te Reo and opened his speech at Ratana Pa in Te Reo.  But he shows this really desire to denigrate any concession to Maori for political purposes.  And he clearly does not get the substance of what a Treaty focussed approach to Governance involves.

25 comments on “Luxon blunders again ”

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  1. observer 1
    26 January 2023 at 4:05 pm

    It's high time the media explored the vast chasm between National's leader and their new MP Tama Potaka (Hamilton by-election winner). Potaka has a very different world view from Luxon, but has not been allowed/encouraged to express it. He has no problem with "co-governance" at all.

    He also has directly contradicted National policy on many other issues e.g. here on the age of Super and on specific Maori health providers.

    https://www.1news.co.nz/2021/08/28/changes-urged-to-make-super-equitable-for-maori-pasifika/

  2. Red Blooded One 2
    26 January 2023 at 4:06 pm

    Yeah but his "blunders" may pay off. I see ads on You Tube from Hobsons Choice are hailing his speeches at Ratana as a good start. He is preaching to his own choir.

    • Peter 2.1
      26 January 2023 at 5:41 pm

      The trouble is the choir he's preaching to vote and have friends and family who vote.

      And they turn the song sheet over and look at the next one. It's called, "Kids living in motels."

      Then the next which says, "Ram raids." They aren't the brains trust. They don't have to understand the lyrics or know the original composers. All they have to do is heartily sing away and tick in the right place in October.

  3. Thinker 3
    26 January 2023 at 4:25 pm

    "… To open his mouth and insert his foot" – you forget the possibility that he is speaking out of some other orifice entirely.

    With comments like his negative reaction to co-governance, I hope Luxon remembers his patronising attitude to the bucket-loads of hate that have been poured on Jacinda, if it falls on him come Waitangi Day.

    Come to think of it, he may display his "Mini-Key" character and go to the rugby…

  4. adam 4
    26 January 2023 at 5:04 pm

    The egg keeps mumbling.

    Crack him open, and feed the poor.

    • Kat 4.1
      26 January 2023 at 6:07 pm

      That cracked egg is empty………….but with a sniff the poor could imagine they are holidaying in Rotovegas…….

  5. Ghostwhowalksnz 5
    26 January 2023 at 5:05 pm

    National aided by ACT also created co governance arrangements for the Auckland Super City.

    two IWI representatives – not not elected from the Maori voters roll- vote alongside the elected City councillors for all the council committees. Plus its not the same two Maori on each committee, from what I can find out there could be 8-10 different people who have these positions

    https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/about-auckland-council/how-auckland-council-works/governing-body-wards-committees/committees/Pages/default.aspx

    Its not only reserves and treaty settlement areas that Loose Lips Luxton will have you to believe.

    They will try to divert from this 10 year long co-governance by saying its not 'equal' co governance, but thats a red herring. Appointed iwi representatives not selected by voters from the electoral roll is what makes co -governance

  6. Patricia Bremner 6
    26 January 2023 at 6:41 pm

    Christopher Luxon shows a lack of respect and a propensity for not actively listening to others, and has rigid ideas.

    Chris Hipkins asks for others opinions and needs. He will try to accommodate them where the Government is able.

    Today I predict this election will be closer than many thought.

    devil and that makes me happy.laugh

  7. Thinker 7
    26 January 2023 at 9:08 pm

    Having trouble pasting the url, but if you check out stuff Simon Bridges endorsed Chris Hipkins when the two met today.

    That might make a few undecideds take notice.

  8. Tony Veitch 8
    27 January 2023 at 8:10 am

    There used to be a commentator/moderator on the Standard who compiled a list of all of Key's lies – quite a number in total. Blip I think.

    I wonder if someone could do the same for Luxon's gaffes? They must be adding up by now.

  9. Peter Bradley 9
    27 January 2023 at 9:15 am

    "National Party strategists must be worried." I don't thinks so. Why is there an assumption that what Luxon is doing is somehow a blunder or mistake? National and Luxon and the party strategists know exactly what they are doing.

    Riding the anti-woke sentiment on the backs of Maori in a majority Pakeha electorate will garner a huge number of votes. Racism has been exceptionally successful in recent overseas elections – UK, India, Brazil and Israel etc.

    National have decided to resurrect the ghost of Don Brash – a ghost that we all thought had been buried by John Key. This election is going set back race relations in NZ by several decades.

    • Shanreagh 9.1
      27 January 2023 at 10:41 am

      So National plays with people's minds & ideas in search of power.

      Playing the race card as was done at Ratana is despicable.

      Playing the race card at any time when it is just to toy with thoughts is despicable at any time.

      They are stirring up an electorate that just needs a bit of peace and calm after some tumultuous years. We don't need the trolls,, misogynists and racists these calls bring out.

      It just lines us up for more biased and idiot reporting from Media as they follow his every word, without a hard question to be seen.

  10. Mike the Lefty 10
    27 January 2023 at 10:40 am

    When you talk to anyone who vehemently opposes "co-governance" it quickly becomes apparent that most of them really have no idea what it is.

    They "think" they know, but what they think is seldom more than mantras that they have learned from social media and cultural ignoramuses like Don Brash and Hobsons Pledge.

    They are convinced that it means Maori will take over the entire infrastructure of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater and that Pakeha will have to pay for the privilege of turning on the tap and flushing the toilet. The fact that you do this now and are charged rates for it somehow eludes them.

    A similar argument came up with the Foreshore and Seabed argument earlier this century. You would have to pay a fee to local iwi to visit the beach or go to the riverside park. This fear was exacerbated when some iwi did actually set up kiosks on a few beaches asking for koha in return for using it, although as far as I'm aware nobody was actually refused access if they didn't donate.

    But that is what is being played on – the fear that Pakeha will have to pay money to the Maori to do what they have always done (ostensibly) for free and the sort of Pakeha who takes that seriously is also the sort who declares they would die before they paid the bloody Maoris a single cent.

    For the record I don't believe that Maoris actually want to take over the infrastructures but they quite reasonably want a say in how they are managed, to make sure things are done fairly and everyone's cultural and democratic rights are respected as per the Treaty of Waitangi provisions.

    • Peter Bradley 10.1
      27 January 2023 at 11:47 am

      Agree – but why did the government not come out on this and make it clear? Where were they? If you want info on 3 waters you have to hunt through obscure government websites to find it. Where were the media discussions with ministers, where were the strong voices and clear explanations. Where was the well thought out social media campaign?
      They have been 100% absent on communicating this policy and allowed mis-information and fear mongering to define the narrative. NZ's supine media have lapped up the potential carnage with glee and not a single push back. This is going to be a truly horrific election if National and Act are given a free ride on dog whistle racism. The government will need to step up and show genuine leadership by calling out what is going on and challenging it directly and openly.

      Please do not become the UK Labour party and simply bow to white majority anger and resentment by accepting it as part of 'democracy'.