I voted for Jacinda, mainly for the reasons you outline, but also for climate change action etc.
I feel lied to.
Climate change action from her has been a big disappointment, all talk, "our nuclear moment". Lies. I wasted my vote.
And the Maori agenda was never mentioned. Co - governance. Again, lied to to get my vote.
After seeing her policies around a fairer more equal society, I am genuinely concerned. A lot of help to people who have no intention of helping themselves.
Blaming colonisation is a cop out. It is just creating a "victim" mentality where it can be used as an excuse not to take responsibility for ones own actions.
I realise there is no easy way, and no one really knows what will work in the long run, but lying to get votes was deceitful.
I live in an English speaking country, it is how we communicate and understand each other and what is going on in the wider world. If you want to speak Maori fine, just don't tell the rest of us what to do. It is hard enough now to understand what is going on out there.
Hate speech laws, can be used as a weapon to silence people you don't agree with. Use your own judgement and don't be so thin skinned.....
Everyone's opinion matters, it is what makes our democracy work. If I say I don't see any benefit to myself from Maori culture, or religion, I have a right to say that without being labelled "racist", or "hater".
NZ is in serious need of education, skills, good paying jobs, heathcare and a clean heathy environment, but we seem to be stuck in a racist hole that has got worse over the last 40 years, and we are going backwards as a country. Thats why I say look overseas, outside NZ, we are becoming very "inward" looking. Not healthy.
I live in Kaipara, Maori want to do a prayer at each council meeting, the Mayor said if we do that everyone should get a turn, so we will have none, it is a council meeting for everyone. Maori call that racist. I don't pray, but apparently, that doesn't count or matter to Maori. They think I should just sit through it and keep quite. Is that inclusive??
I want to see a modern, forward thinking, inclusive country in NZ, not one ruled by race and ignorance.