The invisible commissioner?

Written By: - Date published: 9:57 am, April 9th, 2013 - 63 comments
Categories: accountability, conservative party, International, racism - Tags: , , ,

All sorts of ructions as a Danish politician described the powhiri she experienced in NZ as “uncivilised” and “grotesque”. (Oddly enough she’s from a right-wing party, who would have guessed?)

So much so “ignorance as usual”, but then up cropped Colin Craig, leader our very own Conservative Party, to add a political angle:

Bare bottom welcomes ‘should be optional’

Traditional Maori welcomes for visitors should be optional because not all of them are impressed by “a bare bottomed native making threatening gestures”, Conservative Party leader Colin Craig says.

Riiiiight. Quick to defend NZ culture and pour soothing oil on this troubled sea of offensive ignorance was newly minted Race Relations Commissioner Susan Devoy, who said:

 

That’s right – nothing at all, as far as I can tell. According to the wisdom of Twitter she has “no opinion” on the matter. So – does Susan Devoy intend to be our first ever invisible Race Relations Commissioner?

63 comments on “The invisible commissioner? ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Mary 1
    9 April 2013 at 10:28 am

    My guess is she’s sorting out her resignation before she starts the job. Very efficient.

  2. Harry Young 2
    9 April 2013 at 11:23 am

    She probably just thinks it’s a storm in a teacup, not worth getting het up about. And that’s true.

    • prism 2.1
      9 April 2013 at 11:41 am

      Harry Y
      Is het a Maori word? I can’t get your point – is there one that shows some thought and interest in our culture?

  3. tarkwin 3
    9 April 2013 at 11:29 am

    The last one didn’t have a problem with house niggers or white mother fuckers, so if one was to continue that trend this would be a non event.

  4. prism 4
    9 April 2013 at 11:45 am

    tarwkin
    I’m sure that people like you with your extensive vocabulary rolled in doggy do, you probably smoke it, wouldn’t have a clue of what the Commissioner should do about anything.

    • tarkwin 4.1
      9 April 2013 at 11:51 am

      Only quoting Hone.

      • Colonial Weka 4.1.1
        9 April 2013 at 12:51 pm

        No, you are maligning the previous Race Relations Commissioner. Put up a link supporting your view he “didn’t have a problem with house niggers or white mother fuckers”, or acknowledge you are making shit up. Then we can assume you did so to support your own version of racism.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 4.1.1.1
          9 April 2013 at 12:56 pm

          …and now Tarkwin’s lie has been exposed (see comment above) I have a question for him:

          Hey, Tarkwin, did you make up that lie yourself or were you duped by someone you trust?

        • tarkwin 4.1.1.2
          9 April 2013 at 1:19 pm

          I was pointing out the previous commisioners lack of a reaction to Hones comments. And yes, it was wrong to say I was quoting Hone – I’ll be more careful in future. The question still remains, what is the race relations conciliator expected to do? A Danish politition has expressed her Views. Whats wrong with that? Hone was allowed to express his views. Surely the bar has been set?

          • One Anonymous Knucklehead 4.1.1.2.1
            9 April 2013 at 1:24 pm

            “Pointing out” ≠ lying.
            Commissioner ≠ Conciliator.

            Tarkwin, stop lying: it makes you look like a National Party supporter.

            • tarkwin 4.1.1.2.1.1
              9 April 2013 at 1:50 pm

              Are you chanelling Bill Andersen? What is wrong with a reasoned debate? Why don’t you try writing something useful instead of insults?

              • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                9 April 2013 at 2:56 pm

                😆 What insult? I’m enquiring as to the genesis of and motivation for the fibs you’re telling.

  5. Wayne (a different one) 5
    9 April 2013 at 12:56 pm

    What other comment would you expect – when someone of a civilised culture from the other side of the world is confronted by a bare arsed native waving a spear, shouting profanities and with his tongue hanging half way down his chin.

    Welcome to the Maorification of New Zealand folks!!

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 5.1
      9 April 2013 at 1:04 pm

      Wayne, what have you got against Danes that you would malign them so by associating them with a racist creep like Krarup?

      The rest of your comment leads me to suspect that in Denmark you’d be a card-carrying member of the Dansk Folkeparti.

    • Pascal's bookie 5.2
      9 April 2013 at 1:09 pm

      NZ came pre-Māorified ackshully. So love it or leave it.

    • Murray Olsen 5.3
      10 April 2013 at 12:12 am

      I’d love to see Aotearoa re-Maorified. It’d mean an end to ignorant posts about waving spears etc.
      By the way, the part of Danish civilised culture that Krarup represents is held in contempt by every Dane I know. It’s got more to do with Anders Breivik than with anything I’d regard as culture. The Maori culture is alive in Aotearoa, no matter how much you might hate it. Please go and boil your head.

  6. Professor Longhair 6
    9 April 2013 at 1:23 pm

    That horrible Danish woman was quoting Susan Devoy and Paul Holmes.

    Devoy is in no position to say anything about this matter.

  7. Tigger 7
    9 April 2013 at 1:23 pm

    From the TV3 piece…’Mr Craig says it’s a mistake to “force culture” on anyone.’

    You’d think those savage Maoris would know this considering their experience with getting culture forced upon them…

    As for Devoy, keeping her mouth closed at least means she can’t get her foot inside.

  8. Wayne (a different one) 8
    9 April 2013 at 1:51 pm

    Anyone with a differing view to the Policticaly Correct left wing diatribe that is forced down our throats daily in terms of “all things Maori” – is a racist.

    I don’t believe the Danish Politician was invoking any racist thoughts through her comments, but just that she was affronted by the whole powhri ceromony. So that now labels her a nasty right wing radical racist. Give me a break!

    There is more to our culture than Maori jumping around doing haka’s everytime some one blinks. Maori do not represent my culture and, nor for that matter the “majority” in this country, so there cultural intrusion into every event and welcome etc. has become overplayed and, tedious because of its frequency and repetitiveness.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 8.1
      9 April 2013 at 1:59 pm

      Down your throat?

      To humour your metaphor, that bitter taste is your racism.

      You do not represent my culture and, nor for that matter the “majority” in this country. Your prejudice is disgusting, narrow minded bigotry, in direct opposition to the entire humanist tradition.

      Now crawl back under your rock, slime.

      • Wayne (a different one) 8.1.1
        9 April 2013 at 2:48 pm

        Really – your comand of the English language is beautiful. But what else would one expect on this “rag” page.

        I have no “btter taste”and, for your information I’m not a bigot or a racist. I’m just looking for balance and, you know what, there ain’t none in this country.

        Based on your bullshit hypocritical ranting – unless you follow the PC path of Maorification of NZ, or as you so eloquently put it – following the path of the “entire human tradition” (is that another term for brainwashed), your labled a racist.

        There are many races who make up this country, not just Maori and, yes I do not like the Maori culture rammed down my throat day and night – and if that labels me a racist in your eyes, so be it, I couldn’t give a stuff to be honest.

        Now knucklehead (I could think of a more sitable pseudonym), back to your cave, the world is passing you by.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 8.1.1.1
          9 April 2013 at 2:54 pm

          It isn’t being rammed down your throat: it feels that way because you find it offensive. Most sensible people look away, or change the channel, but you allow it to get you all upset and whiny, almost as though you’re motivated by hate or something.

          “Balance”? Do you feel there isn’t enough Morris Dancing on Tv these days or something?

          • One Anonymous Knucklehead 8.1.1.1.1
            9 April 2013 at 3:39 pm

            PS: that should read: …most sensible people who see something they find offensive…

        • framu 8.1.1.2
          9 April 2013 at 4:40 pm

          “Maorification of NZ”

          umm… didnt that happen some time ago? – like many hundreds of years before even the treaty was signed? Your a bit late on that

    • Puddleglum 8.2
      9 April 2013 at 3:24 pm

      “there cultural intrusion into every event and welcome etc. has become overplayed and, tedious because of its frequency and repetitiveness.”

      Hi Wayne (a different one),

      In that case I guess you’re getting completely sick and tired of events where John Key, dressed in a business suit, smiles and shakes hands with dignitaries and then fronts the cameras with them? All of that cultural garbage, tediously being rammed down our throats – completely overplayed and repetitive, as you say.

      Why do ‘we’ have to see such cultural nonsense? And why are they wearing business suits? Do they just want to offend us?

      How uncivilised it all is.

    • prism 8.3
      9 April 2013 at 9:40 pm

      We have a culture the unique part of which is largely Maori or Maori influenced even if you don’t like that Wayne diff.

      Your cultural cringe reminds me of that saying – might have been groucho marx’s, “I have principles and if you don’t like them…well I have others.’

      You would put Maori into tuxedos and have them turn out as black and white ministrels probably. Which they are so talented and culturally savvy that they could handle if they wanted, as well as their own waiata and tikanga.

    • Murray Olsen 8.4
      10 April 2013 at 12:17 am

      The policies of her party define her as a nasty right wing radical racist, just as your comments label you. Your inability to use the English language labels you as illiterate. Your sort of posts are tedious and repetitive. At a guess, I’d say betting on the geegees and slagging off Maori after a quick look to check that none are within earshot represent your culture.

    • Descendant Of Sssmith 8.5
      10 April 2013 at 12:50 am

      Ironic that the term politically correct has become the politically correct term for right wingers to use whenever they wish to accuse someone of expressing a point of view that goes against their jaundiced view of the world.

      It’s overuse has rendered the term as meaningless in much the same way as the another right wing accusation of tall poppy syndrome.

      Both phrases are the refuge of those who wish to try and stifle dialogue and control discourse by shutting it down.

      For all it’s worth you might as well replace political correctness in sentences with “anal bleaching”.

      Both terms are ludicrous and have no obvious benefit to anyone.

      “The phrase Maori do not represent my culture” reflects what I hear from many right wing people. A delusional lack of awareness that you cannot live in New Zealand without Maori being part of your culture. You cannot have an individual culture – well technically you could if you are a septic bacteria in your own special Petri dish – any more than an individual can be a community.

      The emotional sense of me rather than we conveyed sums up all that is wrong about strong right wing views.

  9. Populuxe1 9
    9 April 2013 at 2:15 pm

    Devoy’s silence is disturbing. This would have been the perfect opportunity to publically step up to the role. More to the point, why is a New Zealand think tank flying in a borderline neo-nazi nutter in the first place if not to cause discord? I note that the nasty bitch was in fact briefed about the ceremony, so she can go get stuffed. We Pakeha are not “Europeans”, we are New Zealanders who exist in a specific relationship to Maori – that relationship is part of our culture.

    • Naturesong 9.1
      9 April 2013 at 2:48 pm

      +1
      This is the first post of yours with which I agree.

      Apart from the “nasty bitch” comment. I prefer more accurate descriptors; ignorant and rude.

      • Rogue Trooper 9.1.1
        9 April 2013 at 4:54 pm

        ditto (redemption is for all, even those Popularly grasping at straws) 🙂

      • Populuxe1 9.1.2
        9 April 2013 at 4:56 pm

        She was briefed, so she wasn’t ignorant, rude certainly – but given the obviously calculated things she said and the party she represents, I will stick with “nasty bitch”. Being accurate doesn’t automatically make one a misogynist.

  10. Roy 10
    9 April 2013 at 3:34 pm

    Maybe Devoy intends to pick up $200K/year and say nothing at all about Race Relations?

    • Wayne (a different one) 10.1
      9 April 2013 at 4:06 pm

      I guess, not unsimilar to the last Race Relations Conciliator -who went all weak kneed over Hone’s racist taunts and disgusting comments.

      He really was a “wet bus ticket”, totally ineffectual to say the least.

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 10.1.1
        9 April 2013 at 4:13 pm

        So, you think he should have gone further then? What do you think would have been an appropriate punishment for Hone Harawira’s remarks?

        Do you believe in getting tough on human rights abusers?

        Or are you just arguing in bad faith?

      • McFlock 10.1.2
        9 April 2013 at 4:13 pm

        Well, given that Tarkwin got pulled up on a similar lie, it’s obvious that you are either oblivious to the historical period of 3 hours ago and are thus doomed to repeat it, or you simply regard what has gone before as a stepping stone to the fulfilment of your lifelong desire to make a complete arse of yourself.

        • tarkwin 10.1.2.1
          9 April 2013 at 4:30 pm

          Show me the lie.

          • One Anonymous Knucklehead 10.1.2.1.1
            9 April 2013 at 4:37 pm

            Here it is.

            “The last one didn’t have a problem with…”

            You are the reason people despise Tories.

            • McFlock 10.1.2.1.1.1
              9 April 2013 at 4:47 pm

              that’s what – the third time it’s been handed to him on a plate.

              To be charitable, tarkwin might not actually be thick. It could just be user experience issue that people with reading difficulties shouldn’t use touchscreens – either the text moves when they move their finger under it, or they get only so far before hitting a link that fires them to goodness knows where.

            • tarkwin 10.1.2.1.1.2
              9 April 2013 at 4:49 pm

              And you are the reason the left is so inept. Doris went out of his way to do nothing. At least he’s always been consistant. All I ever suggested was that things might continue down the same path. You decided to get all pedantic about my comment. It’s not like I lied about an off shore bank account that I forgot to declare to parliament for a few years or so and then suddenly found while I was doing my taxes.

              • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                9 April 2013 at 4:53 pm

                “Inept” enough to notice that your whole argument is based on something you made up.

              • felix …
                9 April 2013 at 4:54 pm

                tarkwin, the others have already quoted and linked to the official responses from the Commissioner in the instances you mention.

                You are lying when you say those responses don’t exist.

              • McFlock …
                9 April 2013 at 5:00 pm

                Tarkwin, you just lied again about stuff you’ve been corrected on three times already today.

                • Pascal's bookie …
                  9 April 2013 at 5:46 pm

                  He’s an authoritarian. Unless someone is punching someone in the throat, or locking them up, or tossing nuns out of helicopters he thinks they must approve of them.

  11. The shade of Paul Holmes 11
    9 April 2013 at 5:32 pm

    Cheeky darkies.

  12. Murray Olsen 12
    10 April 2013 at 12:30 am

    I think Susan Devoy has been appointed to do absolutely nothing. The government loves to pretend that there are no problems with race relations in our kumara paradise, so remaining silent suits their purpose.

  13. Emilio Zapata 13
    10 April 2013 at 12:48 am

    I did actually see Susan Devoy outside the Westgate at the bottom of Queen Street late yesterday afternoon. She was commissioning some race relations by having her photo taken repeatedly by some bloke. At that point, due to the terrifying Maorification of our culture that only RWNJs are brave enough to point out, I expected a spontaneous haka to break out at any second. But there was only the white noise of passing traffic, clicking and a rather unremarkable person famous for smashing a bouncy ball around a box grimacing inanely. I was a bit let down by the whole thing.

  14. Jenny 14
    10 April 2013 at 2:36 am

    A race relations commissioner appointed who is silent over racism. A speaker who allows business leaders to lie to parliament. Legislation to appease angry oil companies. Illegal spying by a state agency left unquestioned.

    The mantle of sleaze quietly settles over every thing this government touches.

    In deciding matters of national significance the proceedings of parliament are very similiar to a court. And like any court, lying before, or misleading parliament, or it’s select committees, is considered a serious matter.

    But Garry Diack the acting chief executive of Solid energy and the company’s lawyer have provenly misled MPs at a parliamentary select committee hearing, and got away with it, without even being asked by the speaker to explain themselves.

    …..Diack told Parliament’s commerce select committee that he was not aware former chief executive Don Elder had offered to appear before the committee.

    It emerged that the day before the committee hearing, Elder’s lawyer had written to the committee and Diack advising them that he was willing to attend.

    The state-owned coalmining company’s solicitor wrote back the same day, saying Elder would not be required to appear.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8527321/Speaker-rejects-Solid-Energy-complaint

    This is a blatant case of misleading parliament if there ever was one. The speaker of parliament David Carter, who’s job it is supposed to be, to enforce parliamentary rules, has instead of enforcing these rules, chosen instead to turn a blind eye. Carter has ruled that Gary Diack will not be asked to explain to the house the discrepancy between his words and the truth.

    Clayton Cosgrove for Labour, says this ruling by the Speaker makes “a laughing stock” of the select committee process. And indeed it does. if witnesses are to be allowed to mislead and lie to select committees with out any consequences, what is the point of holding them?

    And if blatant cases of public racism are to go unremarked by the office of the Race Relations Commissioner, what is the point of having such a position?

    Will Susan Devoy be New Zealand’s last Race Relations Commissioner?

  15. Lloyd 15
    10 April 2013 at 11:14 pm

    A traditional Danish activity is to burn witches in a midsummer evening fire. (I believe they only burn effigies these days).

    I don’t think the concept is very civilised.

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