On Election Day the US electorate delivered a crushing blow to the political establishment. Against all odds, the Republican candidate Donald Trump was elected to serve as the 45th American President. He will be the first President since Dwight Eisenhower was elected in 1953 to occupy the White House without having had personal political experience.
That Donald Trump was elected President ahead of the ‘favourite’, Hillary Clinton, is symptomatic of a seismic shift in US politics. The disenfranchised silent majority didn’t just want a changing of the guard, they wanted a complete overhaul of the Washington establishment.
Like Brexit in the UK, the pollsters got the result wrong – so wrong in fact that many doubt their ability to accurately predict the public’s view these days. Their failure even brought calls by the BBC on election night to “Bring back Paul” – the now deceased octopus that so accurately predicted the result of the 2010 soccer World Cup!
The liberal media got it wrong, too. Big time. On and on, ad nauseum, they promoted the establishment candidate Hillary Clinton, while denigrating Donald Trump. It is little wonder that the public is increasingly losing faith in the mainstream media’s ability to report in an unbiased manner.
The media has been accused of taking the anti-establishment outsider, too literally, and not seriously enough. When Mr Trump talked about building a wall with Mexico, the media interrogators zeroed in on the details, but voters understood that while other priorities might mean a proper wall would never be built, there most certainly would be a sustained crack down on illegal immigrants.
And when Mr Trump was relentlessly accused by the media of being sexist, the majority of voters, including women, simply shrugged and said ‘so what’.
While he railed against foreign trade deals, military spending, and numerous other issues during the campaign, whether Mr Trump will follow through, remains to be seen.
What the media didn’t pick up on during the campaign, was that Donald Trump was tapping into a deep vein of despair felt by many US families over the state of their nation – especially in the industrial and rural areas. His movement to renew the ‘American Dream’ and ‘Make America Great Again’ gave hope and optimism to people who felt forgotten.
So what does Mr Trump stand for?
Throughout his campaign he reiterated his core pledge: “America has been great to me, I want to put us back on the right course and Make America Great Again!”
He opposes political correctness: “Being politically correct takes too much time. We have too much to get done!”
As he doesn’t believe in man-made global warming, nor in de-industrialising advanced economies, he’s pledged to reverse President Obama’s climate change regulations, cancel the “Paris Agreement”, and stop all payments to the United Nations climate change fund.
He doesn’t want his Presidency to be beholden to the establishment nor special interests: “I want to win for the people of this great country. The only people I will owe are the voters. The media, special interests, and lobbyists are all trying to stop me. I am self funding my campaign so I don’t owe anything to lobbyists and special interests.”
He intends to be “the greatest job-producing president in American history” and has promised to boost the US growth rate to an average of 3.5 percent and create 25 million jobs over the next decade.
To do that, he’s proposing a massive $4.4 trillion tax cut to spur growth, substantially reducing income taxes, and slashing corporate tax from 35 percent to 15 percent.
He also wants to repatriate more than $2 trillion in profits held by American companies overseas, to encourage them to invest in the US and help create jobs – and he’s promised a massive infrastructure investment program, to build the next generation of roads, bridges, railways, tunnels, seaports, and airports.
At the beginning of his campaign, Donald Trump said he wanted to unite America: “I will unify and bring our country back together. We will be one.” And that commitment featured strongly in his election night victory speech:
“I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all Americans. For those who have chosen not to support me in the past. . . I’m reaching out to you for your guidance and your help so that we can work together and unify our great country.
“As I’ve said from the beginning, ours was not a campaign, but rather an incredible and great movement made up of millions of hard-working men and women who love their country and want a better, brighter future for themselves and for their families. It’s a movement comprised of Americans from all races, religions, backgrounds and beliefs who want and expect our government to serve the people, and serve the people it will.
“Working together, we will begin the urgent task of rebuilding our nation and renewing the American dream. I’ve spent my entire life and business looking at the untapped potential in projects and in people all over the world. That is now what I want to do for our country. Every single American will have the opportunity to realize his or her fullest potential. The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer.
“We are going to fix our inner cities and rebuild our highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, schools, hospitals. We’re going to rebuild our infrastructure, which will become second to none. And we will put millions of our people to work as we rebuild it. We will embark upon a project of national growth and renewal. I will harness the creative talents of our people and we will call upon the best and brightest to leverage their tremendous talent for the benefit of all. We have a great economic plan. We will double our growth and have the strongest economy anywhere in the world. No dream is too big, no challenge is too great…”
This week’s NZCPR Guest Commentator is Frank Newman, a political commentator and former councillor, who shares his insights into the US presidential election:
“2016 has thrown out the ‘How to’ book on politics, but the new rule book has yet to be fully understood or even written. What we do know is that Trump defied every convention, every commentator, every pollster, and most politicians, including some in his own party!
“Will Donald Trump make a good president? Who knows, (nothing is certain anymore) but Americans are prepared to take the risk. Personally I think he will be a better president than Hillary Clinton would have been, simply because has the personal attributes that have made him an outstanding success in property development: courage in the face of huge obstacles, a determination to achieve something worthwhile, and a vision of what is possible. They may prove to be fairly good traits for a leader in a country built on the principle of freedom – but politics is a tough and nasty game, even tougher than property development, so time will tell.”
On election night, Donald Trump had to win 270 Electoral College votes to be declared ‘President Elect’. So what is the Electoral College and how does it work?
The ‘Electoral College’ is the process by which US Presidents and Vice Presidents are elected. When people cast their votes in the presidential election, they are actually casting votes for ‘electors’, who then cast their votes for president. The candidate who wins the state’s popular vote gets those electors – and their Electoral College votes.
Altogether, there are 538 Electoral College votes, representing 435 members of the House of Representatives and 100 Senators along with the additional 3 votes for the District of Columbia (Washington DC). The number of electors in each state is equal to its representation in Congress, so California, the biggest state with a population of 39 million, which has 53 House of Representative members and two Senators, has a total of 55 Electoral College votes. Texas, the next biggest state, has 38 votes, and at the other end of the scale are seven small states, each with the minimum number of 3 votes.
The Electoral College process was established in 1787 to ensure that a candidate with large support in just one region of the US could not overwhelm the vote. Under this system, it is technically possible for a Presidential candidate win the popular vote, but lose the White House – that occurred in 2000, when Al Gore won half a million more votes nationwide than George W Bush, but was four Electoral College votes short of the presidency. It looks like this is happening again, with Hillary Clinton edging past Donald Trump in the popular vote, but Mr Trump gaining the Presidency by winning the Electoral College votes by a decisive margin.
Donald Trump will take the Oath of Office on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2017, when he will become the 45th President of the United States.
So, first Brexit, and now Donald Trump – what are the lessons for New Zealand?
Brexit and Trump have been a triumph of hope over disillusionment. Those who believe that fundamental change is needed to bring power back to the people should take heart from the fact that in a democracy, power rests with voters, not the establishment – and that groundbreaking change is possible through the ballot box.
Voters who’ve had to put up with poor government decision-making and soul-destroying political correctness can fight back, secure in the knowledge that even though they may suffer in silence, preferring not to express their views to others – including pollsters – their vote is worth the same as those who dominate the news.
So politics 2016 should serve as a warning – if the political establishment continues to appease loud mouth special interest groups, ignoring the views of the ‘forgotten’ majority, then they too will be punished at the ballot box … and they won’t even see it coming in their own polling.
John Key has the most to lose. As a sitting Prime Minister, who most people feel is doing a good job in most areas of governance, his Achilles heel is his pandering to Iwi Leaders.
By endorsing their agenda to co-govern New Zealand, he is creating a growing but largely silent backlash. New Zealanders do not want to be defined by race. They do not want an opportunistic racist group, motivated by self-interest and greed, anywhere near the levers of power. They expect their government to protect them from this threat to our democracy and the Rule of Law, not condone it.
Just this week National’s Environment Minister Nick Smith announced to the House that the highly controversial Mana Whakahono a Rohe Agreements – designed by Iwi Leaders to give Maori tribes exclusive control over all natural resources (including fresh water) in their areas – are being included in the Resource Legislation Amendment Bill.
In response, Winston Peters said, “How can he possibly reconcile his dire warnings about being ‘brownmailed’ on the RMA… with his divisive, separatist, and race-based bill, which stands before the House today and will do nothing for New Zealanders and, for that matter, 99 percent of Maori apart from Marama Fox’s elite mates?”
At present there are no provisions for any public consultation over the last minute inclusion of these radical provisions in the Bill – whether that changes when the Select Committee meets again to discuss the matter, remains to be seen.
What John Key, Nick Smith and others don’t seem to get, is that proud Kiwis have had enough of them using the power of government to pander to the naked ambition of Iwi Leaders. This country belongs to us all, together, as one people – not divided by race. The sooner our Prime Minister realises that, the sooner he will stop the inevitability of a backlash at the ballot box.
THIS WEEK’S POLL ASKS:
Do you sense a growing disillusionment with the Government in New Zealand – like in the UK and US? ..and if so, what do you believe is driving this…
*Poll comments are posted below.
*All NZCPR poll results can be seen in the Archive.
THIS WEEK’S POLL COMMENTS
| We need to stop buckling under to the Maori. We should all be treated the same. I will be voting for a party where they will repel all this racist law and once and for all sort out all T of W claims. | Robert |
| Most definitely. Both major parties have allowed themselves to be Sodomised by radical extremist minority parties ie. Labour by the Greens and National by the Maoris. Disollusioned voters will gravitate towards Winston and his non-racist agenda. | Steve |
| Not a National voter but have to admit they are doing a good job. Who else is there to vote for? Crazy Radical Greens and Labour with foot-in-mouth too-Little-too-late as PM? Don’t think so. Will vote Nat for first time next year! | G |
| The issues surrounding the water rights and Maori demands in other areas which do not include all the people of New Zealand. | Erica |
| Pandering to Maori activists in the hope of getting enough votes to stay in power is a corrupt use of governmental power. There has been no public consultation on the proposal to hand over the water rights to Maoris. In fact, in recent years, huge amounts of our resources and properties have been given to them – again without any consultation. Enough is enough. This proposal is a step too far. It’s time for a change. | John |
| Laval did it in France, Quisling in Norway and now Key and Finlayson in New Zealand. | Bryan |
| As stated it is the endless bowing and scraping to the Maori Party that has disillusioned so many I believe. | Paddy |
| Absolutely! | James |
| The silent majority who are thinkers, doers, Pay their taxes and love this country as it is not as the scumbags and elite white Maori want it. One Treaty One Nation for all caring honest New Zealanders. Your editorial Silent Majority Fights Back sums up whyit will happen. | John |
| It’s unfortunate, but most NZ voters seem to be apathetic and aren’t really interested in the bigger picture. | David |
| There is an underlying arrogance that “we know best”, without listening. | Ian |
| Frank Newmans piece says it all. | John |
| As Muriel so correctly states, Key and co are doing a great job on everything except their treatment of Iwi. If Nick Smith carries on with his wacky ideas, Winston Peters will do a Donald Trump on National at the next election and they will have no one to blame but their arrogant selves. | Ronmac |
| Yes. But any action will never be taken by our citizens while we are in this artificial boom. The crunch will come when our Government and private debt becomes the albatross around our necks from which no Government either right or left can escape the consequences. Only by exports can we give this country a life style similar to other Western Nations. Regretfully it is all too evident that the Green Party is hell bent on destroying our agriculture by its commitment to an ultra Green country devoid of pollution. This is just the prelude to that party becoming the main opposition in Parliament. We are conned with the installation of a national shame in our consciences; that we are, by our actions, the primary cause of Human Global Warming and the advent of earths destruction. Meanwhile we happily sanction a Governmental continuation of an ever increasing bureaucracy; together will more and more rules and regulations which is destroying the fundamentals of democracy, and the rights of the individual. | Brian |
| National needs to re-establish itself as a Right wing party. Back to its grass roots please. Focus on NZ as one nation. Refute the global warming BS smooth-Sayers. Scrap student loan scheme and enforce repayment of existing loans within a clearly defined period. Tighten up our social welfare system. Take a rain-check on immigration. And all this just for starters. | Sharen |
| The loony left mainly through the media are doing their best to attack the govt but at the end of the day the sane public are aware of the great progress the Govt have made. This is despite major events such as the GFC and Chch earthquakes etc. | Colin |
| Dr Newman puts it well: we do not want race based policies in NZ. We are ONE people utilising the nations resources as ONE people. Let’s keep it like that. | Murray |
| New Zealanders are too apathetic, they seem not to care about the bigger picture. | jenny |
| We are one people. | Richard&Wendy |
| Hell yes, it’s obvious governments have been getting it wrong. People came to the colonies in many cases to get away from entrenched privilege and have a fair crack at things. | Kynan |
| In order to retain the two Maori Party votes thus keeping their hands on the levers of power this Govt. has become the most dishonorable in our history. Key, Smith and Finlayson will be punished at the polls assuredly to the benefit of NZ First. | Ken |
| Gravy train to Iwi leaders, but not to needy Maori people. | Denis |
| Racist political decisions | Barbara |
| The middle New Zealanders are not being listened to. | Melva |
| Driven by Iwi privilege. | Bill |
| Too many shifts in policy to remain in power or attain power. | Peter |
| Pandering to minority interests eg Maori radicals. To unite the country we first need all surveys except the census to have only two questions about ethnicity. Are you: 1. A New Zealander 2. Other (please define) | Russell |
| Arrogant. | Ivan |
| One senses this, from the comments; but come election time, their will be cast according to their “voting history” and then start moaning against the estblishment they voted for!!!!! | Fiaola |
| Out of control immigration. | Rodney |
| Been going on for a while now…somethings got to give. | Brian |
| Tribal Elite Iwi doing backroom deals. | Geoff |
| The gap between have and have nots will be the defining issue in future. It is here now but voters are confused as to who could make change to inequality. | Stewart |
| Middle New Zealand’s feelings and opinions are not being validated.2.John Key & National’s lack of vision as they plunge our country into tribalism & apartheid rule.3.Political correctness & insanity from academia & others. 4.Left wing bias and informational gap from the media. 5.Extreme environmentalism, climate change hoax from Greens & others. 6.Social engineering & undermining Western culture from rabid, racists such as Marama Fox from the Maori party. | Monica |
| Too much pandering to iwi. | Dave |
| If my personal perceptions are used as a guide then disillusionment is well and truly here, but is probably still gaining strength.Whilst our Government has done many many things well, the pandering to a racial group and the devolution of controls to that racial group outweigh all the good in other areas. The Government’s continued charge down this co-governace path. The Minister of the Environment the Honourable Mr Nick Smith latest actions and the efforts of our Minister for Treaty Negotiations, the Honourable Christopher Finlayson I believe boarder on treason. If the only course of action I am left with is the ballot box [my submissions to select committees have fallen on deaf ears] then New Zealand First is a real alternative. I would favour Act or the Liberal party, but their base is too small to ever expect them to gain the Treasury benches in the next election. National Party – please listen and heed! | Michael |
| I most certainly do and it’s being driven by a sense of futility over the feeling that nothing will change the dangerous direction being taken by our political “leaders”. The mind numbing arrogance and political self-interest of this National Government simply beggars belief! John Key and his toady band of ministers are clearly prepared to sacrifice racial equality and ignore their duty to protect the long term interests of ALL New Zealand citizens in order to retain the political support of the NZ Maori Party, which represented the interests of a vanishingly small percentage of voters at the last General Election. The fact that there are no provisions for public consultation on the inclusion of the Mana Whakahono a Rohe Agreements in the Resource Legislation Amendment Bill is nothing short of disgraceful! I completely support Winston Peters scathing views on this development and suspect that he will receive a large measure of support from disillusioned voters on this issue alone. | Martin |
| Come on John, time to listen to the white New Zealanders. | Richard |
| The backlash against Keys racist pandering would be infinitely preferable to a backlash against those in our society that need societal inclusion not separation on racist grounds. | Fred |
| The Govt needs to stop giving into Maori and Iwi demands before it is to late. I have been a National Party supporter and member for over 50 years and are no more. | Peter |
| This government is pandering to maori, to give maori such power as they are planning to do will be suicide and will be voted out at the next election. | Carolyn |
| This government will lose at the ballot box because of its pandering to Maori. They dont seem to recocnize the underground change by the silent voters.. | Ken |
| My only problem is with John Key giving in to the Maoris all the time, and giving away my heritage my family’s and my friends. | Lloyd |
| NZCPR & other small but well informed groups are doing superb work informing the public about race based legislation deals National has done with Iwi. The growing number of letters to newspaper editors on the subject is pleasing. | Rex |
| Pandering to the maori elite. | Lynn |
| The middle class are the powerhouse of this nation – they pay the largest amount of tax (by working consistently for up to 50 years), they don’t take benefits like to poorer classes and don’t dodge tax like the upper classes. They are however, the people who are constantly punished. The housing market is broken and no=one seems to have the ability or desire to fix it and the freedoms that they hold dear such as unfettered access to fishing and other outdoor activities, natural resources are given away, without their consultation, to minorities whose only contribution is the amount of noise they make. | Steve |
| Inequality. | Sue |
| Not sure enough people are in the know of the outcome if Iwi get there own way, unfortunately. Can only hope they wake up before its too late. | Irene |
| As you say too much pandering to Maori Iwi. | Peter |
| I do not mind standing up and been counted ! Call me racist or whatever but I sick and tired of the National party bowing to Iwi who are NOT INDIGENOUS and want their cake and to be able to eat it to boot. I will not be voting National which I have done so all my voting life. | Wayne |
| Most definately. They are selling us out in order to remain in power.No one on Q&A yesterday had the nerve to say on live TV the real cause but rather chose to blame the “Housing Crisis”. | Mark |
| The National Govt’s “falling over back-wards” to accommodate the demands from ALL Maori stirrers who are pushing THEIR right to Govern our Country -both at Govt.and Regional Levels… Bring on the Party who has the guts to stop this from continuing and They will win the election next year.Our family will not be voting National anymore !! | Elayne |
| Yes but not as definite as the US. Also with the happenings in NZ we need a powerful Govt and not an amalgamation of people with their own agendas which could ruin NZ in short time at home and overseas. | Elizabeth |
| Well at least I hope there is a growing disquiet in the silent majority. The governments pandering to the Maori Elitist and I may say Racist Minority must be stopped if this country (and the Maori) are to prosper. | Robin |
| Many “ordinary” New Zealanders (the so-called “silent majority” feel disempowered by this National Government’s pandering to the Maori Party’s incessant demands for control of the country under the guise of “co-government”, e.g..: compulsory iwi (“I Want It”) representation on local bodies and control over fresh water resources. This government has gone too far with more and more and more Treaty “settlements”, and giving iwi tribal corporation tax-free status which gives them an unfair commercial advantage over other businesses. Further, the Waitangi Tribunal should also be abolished immediately. I look forward with anticipation to the “rise” of Gareth Morgan, a man who is prepared to listen to “ordinary” New Zealanders and to articulate clearly about one New Zealand for all. I would gladly support such a man at the ballot box. He, like Donald Trump, has not previously served as a politician. To our career politicians I say, Be very afraid of men such as Gareth Morgan, and perhaps people who’ve not put their hands up yet for political leadership, and take lessons from Brexit and Trump.. | Laurence |
| Regards the secretive ‘flirting’ with the Maori Elite, The National Party is breaking the Treaty initiative of racial equality for all in this country. Control of a natural resource (fresh water ) being handed to IWI is nothing short of blatant racism. This will spell the death knoll for National and the spineless, ineffective leadership within National. To put things into perspective, this life essential resource somehow is more important to Maori than a Pakeha or any other ethnicity in this country??? What a ‘crock’ !!! We all know it is about MONEY….NOT culture!! What sort of politician would even think about, let alone pass this legislation? Of course the whole process involves consultation with IWI (I WANT IT). wHAT ABOUT THE REST OF US PLEBS??? | Graeme |
| Yes, but we need a shift to the right, away from Maori, Greens and other left wing radicals. ACT needs to get its namesake together. Winstone needs to commit to something and the Conservatives need a Leader!! | Bruce |
| BUT…..what alternatives do we have?????????????? | Maurice |
| Pandering to Maori activists, Ignoring the fact that we should all be equal, we should be ONE PEOPLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | Rod |
| One New Zealand for All. No Racial divide or privileges. | Peter |
| Couldn’t be more comforted by the great people who represent us in government and internationally .. N Z is doing well. | Eliza |
| There is this disillusioment, especially in poorer parts of NZ,, but it fed by the media as “the government is not doing enough” no matter what they do, it is never sufficient for those who can’t see past their own personal agenda. Sure, there are problems to be addressed! | David |
| Total lack of integrity in the current PM and last PM and furthermore there hasn’t been an elected govt since (and including) the Lange/Douglas govt that has had the average kiwi’s welfare at heart (ie the silent majority) – they have only been listening to the sound of their own voices with their eye firmly focused on the next election because of MMP with it’s tail wagging repercussions! | James |
| There is a clear agenda to continue down the road of separatism and this must be stopped before it is too late for future generations. | Phil |
| I am soo over – the maoridom kowtowing – first the sea bed and shore – now water – nest the air we breathe – AND uncontrolled immigration – – OK we are told NZ is the best Country to live in — well lets make it for NZ’drs not for Asian -Us or other cherry pickers to come and partake of the benefits that ‘we ‘ and our parents fought for and for our familys future — My vote is Lost to Key now — but does not have a home — Yet | John |
| Secret deals with minority interests that are race based. | Phil |
| We have a democratic vote once every 3 years and all we get is a dictatorship. Why is it the USA extradites thousands of immigrant’s, rich or poor and we don`t or is that the political parties are financed by those rich donors.? To gain access to a NZ you firstly have a 20 year probationary period, one court appearance and you and your family are out. No if` or buts. Also NZ needs a patent tax if registered in NZ and the world, why should the outside world live free off NZ`s back. | Robert |
| Yes. Been disillusioned for some time, what with Maori pushing all the time, and getting; water rights; climate change; growing hospital waiting lists; etc. etc. This government doesn’t always listen to the people, and will lose votes because of it. Deservedly. | Sheila |
| Unfortunately there are enough Kiwis doing well financially at the moment to render them deaf to warnings about Iwi power ambitions. Maybe it will take another financial collapse for them to wake up. | Colin |
| We must publicise the maori elite agenda and national’s surrender to it. | Tom |
| Very much so, you only have to read the other comments to see. Surely we can’t all be wrong! | William |
| National are pandering to Maori too much & it is appearing to create a huge division within National voters. | Tony |
| Agree 100% that NZer’s have had enough of this creeping control of resources and power to the elite Maori groups. | Philip |
| Pandering to the maori party is causing the tail to wag the dog. Belief that the treaty of waitangi is a partnership agreement when it is not!!! | Steve |
| Too much secret negotiation with Iwi – underhand governance. | Craig |
| John Key has lost the plot! I cannot believe he is giving so much power to one race of people – not even the MAJORITY! | Sylvia |
| My family call John Key the Minister of nothing. He doesn’t do anything. We have a growing list of his failures and he has a very poorly performing cabinet. I have been an executive with 3 multi-nationals and worked with senior managers in the UK, USA, Australia and NZ over a 45 year career. Only a handful of our politicians would cut the mustard as company executives. Also there are not enough technically qualified MPs ~ too many with political degrees. None of these people could write a strategic business plan! We also need to get rid of career politicians by limiting an MPs time to 4 terms. We also need to reduce the numbers of MPs by 50% and similarly the number of Wellington Bureaucrats. We also need binding referenda on major issues. I don’t know any business people who are happy with the status quo. Similarly the recent local body elections were a joke with far too many elderly councillors standing with their only claim to fame being on their council for 20 years. We need councillors as project managers with clear goals. I am an electrical engineer and could offer free electric shock therapy to encourage the inactive procrastinators to get moving. Like Churchill said we need “Action this Day”. | David |
| The overbearing pettiness of officialdom bearing down on the already hard pressed average joe is sapping the country’s initiative. | John |
| The Key Government’s relationship with Maori is unacceptable to New Zealanders particularly in relation to his apparent inability to appreciate the insanity of giving away control of natural resources to Maori. In this regard he is out of touch with the people of NZ much like Hilary Clinton and David Cameron in respect of the Brexit referendum. | Rod |
| So far as divisive maori policy is concerned – man made climate change – PC stuff , some aspects of Health and Safety are foolish, as is some United Nations decrees. unreal moral issues. | Maurice |
| Race based legislation. | Maurice |
| Racist Policies. | Selwyn |
| The Waitangi Tribunal. ‘racial separatist policies, Winston will come to the fore in 2017. | John |
| Look over your shoulder John Key et al. | Grant |
| I want only elected representatives in Parliament and local government. | John |
| The constant pandering to Maori, is my main gripe with this government, and prevents me from voting National. | HANS |
| Well !!?? Yes the cost of moari support is to high and has to be roped in immediately!!! There are several other factors as well. Public monies going into the hands of private companies rich richer etc. Just a couple of reasons there’s lots more. Rates, RMA costs. | Robin |
| I want our people to be of one creed – I do NOT want a divisive population where Maori’ demands take priority over commonsense. Examples include a diversion of a State highway to avoid a taniwa – that surprisingly was appeased with money to the local Iwi. Let us become a Country with common sense and a Government that will listen to its people – a majority and not just one race. John Key – take note. And whilst I am speaking my mind – the latest fiasco that the Ak. City ATEED has dreamed up – the new $500 million stupid meaningless slogan. Get rid of these wasters. | Peter |
| Key, in particular, has “perceptions” of what the public has. And he is wrong. He allows major immigration and there are insufficient houses for them. Hence the housing bubble. | Max |
| Am sick of the Govt pandering to the Maori minority. | Neil |
| The voters hold the trump card! | Rod |
| The building of a favored status of Iwi and not following “one law for all”. | Leon |
| What John Key, Nick Smith and others don%u2019t seem to get, is that proud Kiwis have had enough of them using the power of government to pander to the naked ambition of Iwi Leaders. This country belongs to us all, together, as one people – not divided by race. The sooner our Prime Minister realises that, the sooner he will stop the inevitability of a backlash at the ballot box. | Tony |
| What a pity they scrapped the treason law, as our John would be a sitter if he gives the greedy Maoris ANY water rights, or compensation. | Athol |
| Key is giving far to much Maori Party. | Bruce |
| Kowtowing to Iwi threatening no support and creating apartheid in New Zealand. We demand one law for all New Zealanders. Also required is the acceptance ONY of immigrants or refugees who swear allegiance to our Government, assimilate into our culture, not bring aged parents and sick relatives to burden our Health system and NOT create separate communes. | Vernon |
| Hi yes there certainly is in the rural sector. Local council managers are not listening to the people’s concerns and are a rubber stamp for the national parties racial decisive policies.Come and see us win stone at the Feilding sale yards any Friday and explain what Nick Smith and his mates have planned for farmers and water management,you’ll going to get a lot of national party votes if this carries on.Mmp is turning out to be a farmers against the elite establishment. | Morrie |
| Disappointed in John Key and National. They had an opportunity to do great things And instead just coasted along giving preference to Maori. Won’t work and they will pay for it. | Carole |
| Yes — and I am one of the many who are utterly disillusioned with this Government.This ship needs to be turned around before we crash into the cliffs i e before our society is destroyed by this so called TOW founding document and. deceitfully misinterpreted by this so called Waitangi Tribunal and to top it all up endorsed by some politically correct glove puppets in Parliament who have no idea what damage they are doing to our country.This shit show has to end asap( sorry, but I find it extremely difficult by now to find another more measured word for what is going on here). | Michael |
| This disillusionment has been growing for some time. Peters has said what needs to be done. Get the Treaty of Waitangi out of all legislation. | Richard |
| John key’s giving iwi everything they ask for, NOT a govt. for ALL kiwi’s but now making it a race govt. | Cindy |
| Definitely, pandering only to Maori interests both financially and politically has prevented and removed adequate funding to health and education.and the elderly. | Monty |
| The inclusion of the Iwi in every decision even if they are not voted on is very wrong. They are a minority in this land. They have been given millions and as far as I know pay no tax. Grossly unfair to other businesses. | Lenise |
| The pandering to Maori demands which is dividing the country instead of treating everyone as New Zealanders. | Peter |
| Yes and it can’t come soon enough to NZ. The silent ones will soon have their say using the polling booths. | Lyn |
| All laws, every piece of legislation from council up should be for every legal New Zealander, with no favour or grouping anywhere. | Wayne |
| I wish there was, welfare state is Sadly hugely entrenched in NZ. | JC |
| Not only in New Zealand, but all over the world, people are just sick and tired of the over reach of the political establishment. The New World Order proponents have seriously underestimated the discontent of ordinary people everywhere and overestimated their ability to brainwash the world into compliance. In order to strengthen New Zealand’s democracy we need to get rid of MMP which empowers the tail to wag the dog and distorts the outcomes of elections. MMP is a diluted form of democracy which results in compromised policies which end up leaving everyone dissatisfied. It is time for major political reform and a return to real, effective democracy, which despite its flaws and imperfections is demonstrably better than any other experimental system ever foisted upon world. | Allan |
| Yes, there is a growing dislike of John Key and his National Party government. Very likely it will see them lose the next election. However who do we replace them with? I wrote a very direct letter to Andrew Little to question the Labour Parties attitude towards the Maori elite’s takeover move. The reply came back from Nanaia Mahuta and indicated Labour will be just as bad as National and will pour money into the same racist programmes. So I think New Zealand First is the only vote that will help us restore New Zealand to be a true democracy. | Ernest |
| Far to much pandering to Iwi elite to the detriment of all New Zealanders. There should be no Maori control of water, councils or anything else that is race based. | Garry |
| Let’s hope the growing disillusionment with the present Govt continues to flourish and expand over period before the next election. However, we should not be looking for the present Govt to suddenly say “we’ve got it wrong and will renounce all proposed, and revoke all existing, legislation which gives any sense of or actual racial preference in law or government.” and then go back on it after the election. What we need is a new Govt which is sincerely intent on rectifying the current racist and PC approach to almost everything, and giving meaning to a ‘one-people’ nation. At least we have one political party leader who has been on record of desiring such an outcome for decades, so Go Winston!! | Alan |
| I think your article says it all. Key seems to be doing a good job of running the country but he needs to stop pandering to these greedy Maoris. | Ralph |
| Immigration which seems uneven Housing which seems to favour some and not others. | Yvonne |
| We must be ONE PEOPLE and not allow the Iwi minority to have so much say. | Winifred |
| Too much pandering to Maori. | Lionel |
| Time for change there not facing up to tax responsibilities capital gains tax etc hiding in trusts etc .and many social issues – Way behind the 8 ball. | Ray |
| I amazes and appalls me that our Government ministers appear ignorant of the feelings of the voters against all this Iwi pandering, heading our country into a two-race apartheid system where one party provides the money and the other takes it an runs. Trump has some bad ideas, but boy, does he understand the feelings of the voters. John Key – sit up and take notice …. | Carl |
| Too much PC & Maori division. Too much compliance controlled by idiots to increase political coffers. | Anne |
| Pandering to Iwi leaders to gain a maori vote to help keep national in power is pathetic. National are ‘selling us out”. Also we must cap immigration and make it very hard for people wanting to come and live in NZ who are unskilled and who would otherwise be taking employment opportunities away from new zealanders. I questioned a national mp about this recently and was feed lines such as we need seasonal workers for orchards and workers for the canterbury rebuild. What utter rubbish. | John |
| The NZ government do not have their collective ear to the ground. They are governing in the air, so to speak, and are not listening to what the average Kiwi, the working man, is saying. To compound this grave mistake, they are disregarding the majority of New Zealanders, and dancing to the tune and wishes of the Iwi. When are they doing to accept that we are one nation. | Ursula |
| It seems the government is becoming increasingly pro Maori, giving them too much power. it’s time to say “no more” to Maori demands. | Ray |
| Off with their heads, quit the Haka, stop the madness. | NC |
| We need a leader with balls or as nigel latta put it we need politicians with vision and courage and where do we find one. | Terry |
| I will not support a govt that will allow greedy Maoris to steal from New Zealand, that is you and I. I know what the Maoris are up to. I have heard First hand how they are planning to cheat all New Zealanders Funny how you get to hear these things when people think you are not listening, eh? So I believe the silent majority will not allow this behaviour to continue. | Neil |
| Probably because the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, and the current government seems to be indifferent to the growing number of poor. | Beryl |
| This is driven by the increasing remoteness of politicians, their incompetence and their cynical disregard of the wishes of the majority once they have been elected. | Toby |
| All the time John has been in power he has pushed maoris forward for extra support, whereas Brash before him was pushing for equality. I’m voting for Winston this time in the hope he will stop John from being so racist. | Eric |
| I think it is being caused by the “pandering to iwi’ instead of realisin that so many New Zealanders want to be just that New Zealanders not the divided and Racist Nation we have become. | Laurel |
| Government is not listening to the silent majority. | Cliff |
| Too many immigrants too quickly. As you say too much kowtowing to iwi. | Moyra |
| John Key, you have a shocking reputation as being upfront and honest with the population. You still have not learned a thing since your cup of tea with John Banks. We love N Z but are overseas because we are sick of all the hand outs to the brown elite. Amazing how most Kiwis do well on their own two feet, without the cousin broes dragging them down. aparthied is alive and kicking in NZ Boot Them Out. | Denis |
| Nz’s history is now classified fiction. Should Key continue with this fairy tale, this trip to apartheid for our Nation then his demise is inevitable. Read my lips “NZ has in the majority completely rejected this nonsense” The ballot box is the next opportunity to reinforce the view of the majority. We are one people. | Derek |
| We New Zealanders are becoming marginalised in our own country and a special elite are being created. If it is allowed to continue there will come a time when racial hate crimes become the norm. All this could have been avoided had we stuck to the original intention of the Treaty of Waitangi. | Leslie |
| Conceding too much Maori. | Graham |
| Key is arrogant and indifferent to even National voters. | Russ |
| I do find myself getting cross about unelected Maori being automatically given places on Councils. I am vaguely aware that this folly is spreading. | Noel |
| Pandering to IWI Leaders and creating the possibility of a divided nation. | Albert |
| PANDERING TO MAORI DEMANDS IS BEHIND THIS UNEASY FEELING IN NZ. ITS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE TO SEE WHATS GOING ON HERE. JOHN KEY , IGNORE THIS AT YOUR PERIL. GET RID OF MMP. | PETER |
| The disappointment that I have felt for some time now, is morphing into a growing disillusionment with the Government, mostly due to the continual pandering to the brown parasites in these Iwi groups as Muriel has outlined in her column. I see little difference between them and the disgruntled Democrats in the US who are rioting because they did not get the result they wanted. John Key has been a good PM in a number of ways, but he really needs to grow a spine (along with many of his Ministers) and tell these leeches where to get off. If he has gotten so far out of touch with the ordinary voters, National will pay the price come the next election. I never want to see Labour and the Greens anywhere within reach of the Treasury benches, so that only leaves NZ First as a viable option. At this present point in time, we have no leaders emerging with the stature and abilities of Donald Trump to “drain the swamp” here in NZ. This only adds to my growing sense of disillusionment. | Scott |
| They are giving the country to the tribes to Remain in power. | Bill |
| The last 9 pars of your summation are right tight on target. Great summary, time for JK to change course if he seeks another term, | Jim |
| The ONLY thing that holds Key and National in power when they steadfastly refuse to Acknowledge “One Law for All Citizens” and the abolition of outlived apartheid separatist Maori seats and treasonous Partnership interpretations by an Apartheid Tribunal, is the sobering fact that no other political party offers a viable truthful creditable alternative.. However the conservative backlash is not dead, it is frustrated, but it is brewing and growing, If Key doesnt move soon and own and control the transition, it will breakout and ,overwhelm him, and turf him, just in the way Brexit moved and Obama’s party was canned. Time is running out. the frustrated majority will speak. | Richard |
| The prostitute John Key is willing to sell us all out to stay in power. As a National supporter, I am very disillusioned. I will not be voting National again. | Rob |
| I do, but I also question if it will be strong enough to change the arrogant mindset of Key and Cabinet towards Maori Privilege. | Frank |
| Equality under the law is in great danger. | Neil |
| Talking with MPI staff last week, I’m told they have a co governance arrangement with Iwi. They do? Since when did we vote out democracy? | michael |
| Becoming arrogant and dismissive of genuine public concern regarding – Water rights. Resource consents. Immigration. The granting of disproportionate privileges to Iwi to secure the Maori party vote. I am a center – right person who has voted National for the last 5 elections. I will not be voting National next year. | Richard |
| Maori elitism. IWI stands for I want it. | David |
| The theft of the primary institutions of Western civilisation. | Ted |
| As the consequences of the culturally-bound statist ideas from socialists and leftists and their ways, begin to unravel around the world a NEWZEXIT from the eternal funding of our tribal swamp seems very likely. | Don |
| Obviously race based legislation. | James |
| Time to Stop pandering to Maoridom. | Robert |
| We continue down a separatist path at our peril. John Key campaigned on removing the maori seats…..has not happened, what does this leave us at present….NZ first ….there is a gap for a party based on the needs of ALL New Zealanders. | Lionel |
| Dr Muriel Newman’s column has hit the nail on the head. The world is changing and New Zealand is changing along with it ie everyone is waking up and realising we have a voice. People in the UK and the States have found they really do have power and all they need to do to use it, is to vote. NZ will have exactly the same reaction next year and National will be out in the cold. Winston Peters will get my vote; the first time I have ever voted any party other than National in my life. | Diana |
| The disillusionment is coming from the informed. Unfortunately, many of the separatist laws & regulations are being introduced behind closed doors & protected by our leftist press, which means a large proportion of the public lack the information that is essential for good decision making. The N.Z. news media really showed its true colours when the U.S. Presidential elections were being run, with any misdemeanour of Trumps being high-lighted, but no mention at all of Clintons short comings . The other problem is, we have a whole generation now, who’s education has consisted of P.C. indoctrination, & theories have been taught as facts. With National & Labour both singing from the same song sheet, we only have 3 places for the protest vote : The Conservative Party is trying to re-launch itself, with a new leader to be announced shortly. The ACT party could have offered some hope, but its leader has become no more than a J.Key lap-dog, so N.Z.First may be king maker again, provided Winston keeps his word, & insists on one law for all. | A.G.R. |
| Not as yet but when the vast majority become aware of the giving away of control of our natural resources or vested interest groups there will be a backlash. I believe that the Gareth Morgan party could get some real traction if they come up with some credible candidates & stand against minority vested interests. | Kevin |
| Only with un & Maori playing too big a roll in the govt, otherwise a good govt. | Ian |
| John Key is just not listening to the majority of New Zealanders who want one Nation one people. If he continues to pander to the Maori party and iwi leaders seeking joint governance he risks voters deserting National and heading to Winston. Trump and Brexit have shown what can happen such arrogance sets in. | Terry |
| The growing division between maori and the rest of us by the creation of separate seats on councils and the requirement to consult with Iwi for a growing list of activities and the cost of this. Where is that money going? | Barry |
| Finlayson, Smith, Barry and others seem to have no idea of the meaning of Democracy and Key’s schoolboy act is wearing thin. | John |
| The current government has lost the plot and confidence of many NZer’s. | Barry |
| I’ve expressed my feelings before as have many others on the direction this government is taking on race based politics. As a nation, we should all be pulling together as one regardless of where we originated from. This government is creating division by favouring a small and select few over the majority of all other New Zealanders. It is simply unacceptable. Take heed, there will be a backlash next year at the voting booth unless a permanent change in direction is made. | Chris |
| Not sense, know! People are now beginning to openly talk about it at ground level. The arrogance of the government and John Key in particular in furthering his own agenda despite clear indications to the contrary, eg. TPPA, is a perfect example, as is his pandering to minority iwi ‘leaders’ in exchange for continued support in parliament. It is this type of behaviour that in UK and US that have brought about Brexit and the US election result. Viva la silent majority!! | Alan |
| It is time for the silent majoriety to say enough is enough to the nanny state rules that are ruining our country, and let common sence rise again from the dead. | Robert |
| Undemocratic promotion of minority interests. | Neville |
| The Maori were the second immigrants to settle New Zealand, this does not give them any more rights than the Europeans who came later. | Andrew |
| The govt. seems to take no action on so many things. Key passes off important issues with a glib smirk and patronising comment. We are floundering. | Don |
| The tide is changing and it will come as a shock to many. | mike |
| Too much pandering to Maori, too much social correctness. | John |
| The Govt. is too prepared to be politically expedient in the case of the minor parties, rather than gutsing it out with hard messages that would benefit NZ. | Don |
| My wife and I will not vote for another party so we are going to refrain from voting at all. | David |
| PANDERING TO iWI INTERESTS AHEAD OF ALL OTHER NEW ZEALANDERS WILL COST THE NATIONAL PARTY DEARLY. | KEVIN |
| It is the pandering to Maori elitists. | Craig |
| National need the Maori Party for support and that is creating a lot of decisions that many NZers do not like. Me included. Take local Council representation in the RMA and fresh water tile as teo concerns. | Richard |
| This has been growing for sometime now. Both the IWI elite and the stupid political correctness and we mustn’t forget the Levies that are paid on carbon emissions which no one can tell me where they actually end up. If there is a party that can stand up and say let’s put an end to all this nonsense then it will be like Brexit and Trump here in NZ. | Bryan |
| I don’t sense NZ as annoyed like US and UK. The general sense is that NZ is doing OK, and much better than many other countries. Low unemployment means most have money in their pockets; and that usually augers well. Future prospects don’t seem dire. Personally I’m quite disillusioned with NationalLabour; would never endorse pathological liar W Peters; ACT are still way too tarnished from R Hide’s days in charge. | Peter |
| This Resource Legislation Amendment Bill is a dreadful attempt to pander to the Maori Party and further inflame resentment of the divisiveness these political games engender in the population at large.It ranks alongside giving Maori the right to representation on local councils without being elected by the communities those Councils serve. | Michael |
| Your editorial sums it up so well….we are sick of the government pandering to the unelected iwi representatives of only a select few of Maoridom and it is going to come back and bite them. | Jeremy |
| The trend shown in the US & UK is a positive one — let’s hope it continues here. | Alan |
| Winston Peters is the only politician with the guts to point out the destruction of our democracy by National’s support for and of Iwi intersts and demands. It will surely be to their cost. | Rod |
| The government has lost touch with the majority of its voters. They stand only for their own interests, not those of the country. | Laura |
| A lack of accountability with ignored referendums and list MPs making them unable to be got rid of. | Martin |
| Yep, never voted for Winston before, but he definitely will get our two votes. | San |
| I believe that the recent decisions to give Maori elite whatever they demand in order that they support the government will cause a backlash at the ballot box next time. This particularly concerns water and giving away rights to Maori. What of the rest of us, Mr key? Also, bringing in so many foreigners to do work that our own could and should do reflects on the inability to train our young workers. Most are too lazy to train for work because they are abe to get a living off those taxpayers who do work and pay taxes. The health bill is rediculopusly high and it must nearly be time to put a brake on the cost of hospitalizing those who choose to go on drugs and then expect the rest of the taxpayers to fix them up in hospital when it all goes wrong for them. I would include those that smoke cigarettes in this process.. Why should I pay for the wrong decisions of those folk who choose virtual suicide, by taking on these known pursuits. Needless to say, I am a non smoker. Also, swamping our country with thousands of Koran readers who add not much to our economy and yet get untold help, but still hate us, is not a good plan. | Derek |
| Winston is going to get alot more votes. | Barry |
| Disillusioned because Governments (plural) lie “The Treaty is our founding document”, when it is not. The Treaty was ratified in May 1840 by the borders of New South Wales being extended to encompass “all of the islands of New Zealand”, in the same manner as Tasmania, and we became ruled by this State. Inquire Treaty, inquire to NSW! At this moment in time Maoris became fully fledged British citizens with only the rights of British citizens, no more, no less. Our true founding document is Queen Victoria’s Royal Charter of 16-11-1840, this officially separated us from NSW into a new British colony in our own right, gave us our first constitution, English law only, own Courts to oversee English law only and our own flag which is older than Australia’s. That’s right, the Australian flag is like ours and not the reverse as was lied during the Flag Referendum. The word “Treaty” is nowhere to be found in the above Royal Charter. | George |
| But only a relatively small proportion of the population seem to be taking any interest in decisions the government is making often behind closed doors. The vast majority appear to be too pre-occupied with their immediate day to day living to look at the bigger picture. | Les |
| Maori/Others is a biggie as are the lack of RMA reform, the tax-free status of charitable/religious trusts such as Sanitarium/Bretherens, and tax free gambling winnings i.e. why does tiol and sweat get taxed but the proceeds of gambling like Lotto not? Do we incentivise gambling but penalise working!? The above are symptomatic of nothing ever changes for the better under this government. | Mark |
| I think the government just think people will accept what they say, a lot of people I have talked to say they have had enough & are thinking like Brext & US, there could be a change next year. | Geoff |
| It is very easy for Peters to criticize Maori, be careful of voting for him. | Peg |
| The National Government is not listening to the vast majority of citizens. The vast majority wants one rule for all and not the divisive strategy of trying to panda to Maori elite. The majority also want immigration slowed down and being more focused on people that have skills the country needs. The parents, grand parents and all and sundry of those people should not have almost automatic right of NZ citizenship and the benefits after only 10 years here. | Keith |
| I was brought up to believe we have are one nation regardless of race, creed, or colour, what the national party is doing is dividing our nation by pampering to the Maoris allowing them part control of our country. I am a semi retired person who has no allegiance to any party so my vote will not be National unless their are some dramatic policy changes. Most of my elderly friends are of the same opinion we all share the air and water in New Zealand. Another item that is rearing its ugly head is the power given out to parliaments Lawyers and Council Bureaucrats who control and operate our parliament and extort money from hard working citizens of New Zealand. | Roydon |
| BUT the government needs to change tack and stop pandering to Iwi elite. | Jeff |
| Yes – we are totally and abso-bloomin-lutely disillusioned with the gummint! They lack direction and focus. They’ve sat back and ignored the building chaos in Auckland which is now spreading elsewhere and their recent far-too-late measures are completely ineffectual. But worst of all is their selling-out to maori ambitions simply to keep them quiet (and that, of course, is a total failure) in order to keep themselves in power. If this continues they will find themselves, and us, as subjects of the maori-controlled nation. | Auntie Podes |
| Ignoring the majority wishes. I would vote for Winston next election on this matter alone – something I never thought I would do. | Jasmine |
| Politicians are too busy trying to keep their seats and not spending enough time thinking about the provinces. Too much time spent on Auckland problems. | Graeme |
| My concern is that the Key Government appears so committed to holding power that it will do anything to preserve it. The new RMA is an example. Winston has said that all reference to iwi should be removed from the bill. Is it possible that I will vote for NZ First next year? | Jeremy |
| Remember that more people voted for Clinton than for Trump. He won the electoral college and the presidency; not the popular vote. The majority were for Clinton, silent or not. | Nick |
| The party on the Treasury benches have, todate done all in their power to remain where they are. The Iwi elite have realized this from day one. It is not too difficult to watch their agenda roll out to meet their own ends. The Maori Party have been used as pawns in this game as they have been thrown a few tit bits as a sop. National have fallen into the trap of serving themselves instead of the citizens. If they do not take heed of recent global events the same will happen next year. The party that will treat all citizens as one, abolish maori seats.lower taxes, increase infrastructure, reorganise and streamline healthcare, clean up dole payments will have the ingredients to win a landslide victory. Will this happen? Only time will tell. | Dennis |
| Key should listen to the majority and stop pandering to the Maoris.When we have a referendum it should be binding. | Derek |
| OMG, YES ! | John |
| The challenge to democracy by our Govt by their shameful pandering to a minority party for 1 seat support shows faulty thinking. What else are they up to? | |
| New Zealanders apathy on most things political could change to disillusionment very quickly. Inequality is a real problem in this country but sensible moves like a universal basic income and reforming the tax system would do more to reduce inequality than fattening the wallets of a few influential Maori through the RMA. | Graham |
| But, he does need to take care of iwi matters, water needs to belongs to all new Zealanders and not just iwi, likewise the climate change/carbon credits needs to be wiped, its just another form of taxation, our environment since the 50’s has been slowly improving and nothing to do with carbon credits but peoples desire to improve/preserve our environment. | Anita |
| The ever increasing gap between rich and poor, failure to address access to basic necessities such as health and housing for many, too much pandering to greedy Maori, too much secretive government, lack of referenda on important issues. | Judith |
| We pander to extremist groups too much and are too politically correct. | Bernard |
| I am sick and tired of the government pandering to iwi. We are one people, one law. | Ann |
| Pandering to Maori’s | John |
| The catering by the Government to obtain support from other political parties, regardless of concessions, to gain this support at the expense of the New Zealand people. | Dave |
| Mostly driven by the unforgivable constant pandering to Maori which Key hopes will be forgotten as we approach the elections. Not going to happen. To higher a risk of the pandering starting up again after the elections. | Donald |
| Because of race based policies, political correctness and pandering to every minority group. | Laurie |
| The increasing development of the non-democratic rights being given to Maori. Accurate interpret of the Treaty and no artificial Principles, or any other created divisive provisions being made in national Govt and local Govt rules, laws and provisions. I think there is a “silent majority” festering over this ongoing process. | Norman |
| Growing dissatisfaction with the Pollies who govern for self-interest and little else. Time to dump them. | Ron |
| The Driving Force!!! Posted by Frederick on the 12th of June 2016… “Hilary Clinton is past her use by date. A post menopause female lacking the will and determination needed for the post of Commander of the Police Force that acts for the Free-World on a global scale. This is a position and job for a male because of the leadership qualities needed. Whilst there are exceptions to the rule considering females, Clinton is no Margaret Thatcher! She is also, potentially a crook! We are entering the Chamberlain Era when it comes to China. This totalitarian dictatorship has no respect for Democracy and has infiltrated into global democracies, socially, politically and commercially on a grand scale. The next period has started in the US with the silent majority becoming aware that their country%u2019s ability to produce basic living goods has been destroyed by vulnerable political trade agreements. Thus, Chinese expansionism has been in a position to dissolve markets, diminish industries and target home companies. This electoral awakening in the US is using Donald Trump as the vehicle to make massive changes to the political system and establishment. Much of this new path will be to take back sovereignty and rebuild basic manufacturing to return jobs to the US. Thus restoring economic opportunity and the return of wealth. Trump identifies with the analysis that past US governments, using one-sided political trade agreements, have virtually shut down the countries ability to produce basic goods. Thus destroying an economic fundamental required for its economy to be functional, healthy and sound. Instead, its debt burden is only surpassed by China that has used $28 trillion to control its people and the rest of the world in order to expand a political doctrine that is contrary to democracy. Amazingly, much of this money came from the West with its consumption addiction! That is – us!!! Just like in Australia and New Zealand – there is currently no will or leadership in the US to face realities and move out of the cultural bubble that politicians live in. Hopefully, a Trump regime backed by a Republican Congress will be able to make the regulatory changes necessary to prevent further abuse of basic, but proven, economic fundamentals. A path upward to prosperity can only be re-opened by recommencing production development through domestic manufacturing. A Trump Presidency may achieve this path. In Australia and New Zealand we need the same path – upward! ” The so-called Free Trade deals are and have been nothing more than vehicles to promote International Socialism – Politicians have pedalled the bull dust that the deals are Export deals when they are nothing more than Import Agreements that have pulled down the wealth of any country stupid enough to enter into them. Trade must be returned to industry bodies and politicians must be moved on…..!!! Sooner than Later! | Frederick |
| Re-electing National or even Labour may be seen as ‘steady as she goes’. or more of the same. The only nearest equivalent to the UKIP and Mr Trump himself and his closest associates appears to be NZFirst. | Ron |
| No I do not, well, not yet. I do sense a Media Driven campaign. I deplore the choice of Trump who has gained by denigration, lies, insults, foul-mouthed speeches, and if that’s the way to achieve “change” we can do without it. | Mabel |
| The Government appears to be leaning over backwards to satisfy the wants, (not the needs), of the Maori, in New Zealand. Giving little, or no thought, to the rest of the citizens. I am quite sure that any debt has been paid long ago, Assuming there was one I am sick and tired of a greedy, minority, group, that calls themselves Maori, saying they don’t have the opportunities that other New Zealanders have. What nonsense! Anyone with a few brains and some initiative, can make a good life for themselves, here, if they want to. It’s about time the Government took it’s collective heads out of the sand and started treating us all as equals. Why does the average Joe Blogs have to prop up a group of people that only want hand-outs,, live off the dole, (because they’re too lazy to work), and use it for alcohol and drugs. I believe a lot of people will be thinking about how to use their vote in the 2017 election. | Josephine |
| I am one of the many Kiwis who are tired of the pandering to IWI. I have already decided to vote for Winston as a protest vote against our ruling elite. It also irks me our Attorney General, Chris Finlayson is a list MP. He is in charge of giving money to Treaty Settlements yet doesn’t have an electorate. I know this is the MMP system but right now with all this money being given away to the IWI I don’t like it. | Lynn |
| Yes and the disturbing thing is that our PM and his Party do not see it. I am 90 and have followed politics all my life. Been very much involved especially LG. I have talked and emailed the PM, the President of the National Party and our local MP. Nothing, of course, from the PM, a very heartening reply from the President and a brain washed reply from our local MP There is the very real problem of MMP but I believe the PM and his Govt. are misreading the public’s pulse as has happened with Brexit and in the US. I only hope the govt. wake up to this before the next election. | Albie |
| The worm has turned. | Alan |
| Too much IWI not enough KIWI We are becoming a racist country. | Arthur |
| I hear it from work colleagues including some Maori that they do not want race based legislation. We are all New Zealanders. Also natural resources are just that, natural resources and are owned by no-one. How can one say they own the rain when the water in the rain comes from the Tasman Sea or maybe even further afield. In that scenario the aborigines of Australia would have more rights to the water resource than anyone in NZ. This race based legislation is total lunacy. | Kevin |
| Self interest and self importance on the part of politicians and councils. | Edward |
| Yes but many Kiwis are still asleep when it comes to what the Govt is doing to take away the rights and benefits of ordinary people. Racist policies are surely doomed. | Graham |
| I have seen first hand the the rise of separate sovereignty including 50 percent of the tax take. This is the agenda which is being given wings by the coaliitian agreemernt with National and a Prime Minister who has no idea of the founding principle and, Laws of this Nation. Nations. | Dene |
| Separitism, abolish all legislation giving reference to race. One People – One Country. | Les |
| Too much pandering to Maori. Too much political correctness. Global warming a hoax. | Ted |
| Remove race base policies out of the RMA now or be prepared to loose the next election John Keys. | Paul |
| Govt pandering to Maoris in giving them extra say in Local Councils without being voted for and giving them a greater say in the area of fresh water control and use.I fail to see how someone with a minority of Maori blood in them can be classed as Maori and have a greater say in my country just because they arrived here by accident before me.One person,One vote no policy based on race. | Peter |
| Not with the government but with the opposition. Truly dreadful. | Lee |
| The government is usurping more and more control over private business. This Marxist ideology is being pushed through under the guises of safety and environmental protection. In many, if not most cases it has reached ridiculous proportions. The compliance costs to small businesses and farms is very destructive. There are currently no political parties in New Zealand who stand for smaller, limited government and an end to socialism. | Bill |
| Too much PC, lower personal standards, acceptance of what is called “low level crime” — there is no such thing as ALL crime is just that — CRIME. Too much pandering to minorities. Too much emphasis on Treaty B——T. | Alan |
| I have always been a diehard National voter but I cannot accept blatant favouritism to Maori, sale of land and buildings to foreign interests and unbridled immigration of useless new settlers who have contributed little or nothing but benefit from our various social payments and assistance. | Peter |
| Too many people telling too many people what they can and can’t do. | Bill |
| This secret behind our back passing of ludicrous bills to the benefit of the IWI has to stop and also the NZ public has a right to know!! | Simon |
| I predict there will be a backlash at the next election against the Governments racist policies. | Janet |
| It all depends who is the Leader. We have a very stable leadership. | Ian |
| Political correctness and growing apartheid are an insidious disease that will destroy New Zealand | Frank |
| Absolutely. | Philip |
| John Key and his government are pandering to the elitist Maori with outrageous claims for water, land etc. He is in grave danger of losing the next election to the Labour and the Greens and the Opportunity Party because of this. I believe he is doing this as he needs the Maori vote. | Frank |
| I have written to the President of the National Party and John Key saying , that despite the family voting for National at every election since their formation in 1936, we will never vote for them again. National is presiding over the biggest sellout of the Electorate that we have ever seen and the sooner they are OUT, the better. Labour is no better and led by Little, is a recipe for more disruption. My adult family is of the same opinion and together we believe that we can influence more than 40 voters. Watch out in the next Election people. | Mike |
| One law for all. No special treatment for Maori or anybody else is essential. | Richard |
| Pandering to a loud minority (!) equals apartheid doesn’t it?? | Michael |
| If the Govt keeps selling us down the creek to iwi there will come a braking point when enough is enough the last 20 years have been a sham when those who have less than 50% Maori blood should be ripping of there fellow kiwi this is a terrible staite of affairs. | Russell |
| Key and his cronies seem to believe they are untouchable and are showing an attitude of arrogance towards the average Kiwi voter. They are well overdue for a reality check. | Urban |
| The pandering to iwi – the outright rascism of this government will sadly spell its downfall … | Hamish |
| Time this racist separatist nonsense was stopped immediately, especially when the ones making these demands are not even full blooded Maori and probably can best described as extremist radical opportunists calling anyone who opposes them as either Maori bashers or racists to divert attention from the fact that they are not really Maori but they are using the racist ploy to gain whatever advantage they can. | Lyndon |
| We are all New Zealanders and race based policies have no part in this country. If Key persists with this wrecking policy he will be gone at the election next election. Don brash could be the D Trump of NZ. | John |
| Like Helen Clark her successor John Key has been a progressive failure. A pair of visionless prime ministers with a UN agenda and almost no meaningful reform. | Kevin |
| The reason is the separatism that is getting worse by the day the present Govt Pandering to maori We are all one and should have one law for all End charitable Trusts and everyone pay their taxes John Key and Nick smith should be open and not negotiating behind closed doors with maori. More publicity is needed to let the general public know what is going on. | John |
| Thank you Muriel for your commonsense view of the American election analysis resulting in the change of goverment and the prominenence of Donald Trump, Whether he follows up his promises is another matter, what matters that the average American worker (the silent majority) had enough and took the opportunity to voice their displeasure of the sysrem reflected in the US election result. I strongly believe that the same will happen here in NZ as the present goverment does not want to listen to the silent majority, their persistance to put the minority ahead of the majority is very clear, will they pay the price? only time will tell, but rhe writing is on the wall so it is a matter of time before the buble will burst and the silent majority will have it’s say. | Frank |
| The growing disillusionment is being driven by the increasing arrogance of the National-led government — especially the Saudi sheep deal and the RMA deal. | Gavin |
| Stop the pandering to iwi. Why have anything to do with these racists. Why not negotiate with nz first instead? | Alan |
| New Zealander’s are TOO damn stupid, voted for MMP did we not??? (not Me) | Russell |
| This is especially so in the racial favouritism espoused by the non-elected part-Maori members with voting powers on local councils and racial favouritism in the forthcoming Resource Management legislation. So called “Iwi” leaders are simply a favoured elite among part-Maori and the majority of part-Maori know full well there is no trickle-down of the huge sums of money given to “Iwi” in so-called Treaty of Waitangi settlements. I believe the RMA inclusion of racial favouritism will be the final breaking point for the silent majority. All it will take then will be, as in the fable, the brash little boy who shouted what everyone could really see, the the emperor had no clothes. Who will be our Trump; will it be the cat euthanaser or Winstone or some other as-yet unknown who can think and speak outside the square? | Rob |
| I believe we are the only Western democracy that has race based legislation being considered. This is totally wrong, and can not be justified in any way. National have been warned that going down this path will mean voters kike myself voting for NZ First, the only party to oppose separation based on race. They should note the Hanson effect in Australia. With MMP it will be their death knell, and can,t come soon enough. | John |
| Definitely. Winston Peters is poised to be our Donald Trump at the next N Z election. | Selwyn |
| I Meet weekly with a group of model railroaders. These fellows are all retired business people. They all express concern with the way national is rolling over to every request from Maori in order to stay in power. Time to call their bluff and an election while they are well ahead and the L. and G’s are not organised. | John |
| What the media say we are thinking is not what people are actually thinking. The media has lost touch with what we really think. | Peter |
| We are witnessing a world-wide awakening. People are no longer entirely dependent upon the mass media for news sources. The advent of the world wide web has allowed access to real time reporting of international and local events that were ‘avoided’ or suppressed by those pulling the media strings and the world can now witness real reality shows from conflicts on display. The most significant development of recent times has been the availability of Google and other search engines as sources of information – the biggest threat to democracy and freedom is that of censorship of access to that information. It is up to all of us to resist the suppression of truth that such censorship would impose. There is no compromise for democracy – you either have it or you don’t. | Mitch |
| Because the government does not accept referendum results and makes the general public feel their opinions count for nothing, also the economies wealth is not filtering down to the lower income group. | Anthony |
| The on-going give give give to maori.Maori should earn their place in politics like anyone else does and be treated the same as anyone else. | Terry |
| Stop pandering to maori. | John |
| Definitely pandering to Iwi Leaders but most NZer’s would not know about the changes to legislation that has happened and been proposed in the Nat Govt 8 years. Also the offloading of traditional responsibilities of Govt onto Local Councils. | Di |
| Far too much division especially race based and too much Maori influence. | Gareth |
| We are one nation but many cultures- no one culture better than the other. | Jan |
| Time is ripe for someone who is prepared to stop the elite race in NZ getting privileges at the expense of the remaining 85% of us second-class Kiwis. We are sick of this BS discrimination and being punished because we have no maori blood. At the moment NZ stands for New Zimbabwe. | derejk |
| The alternative Labour/Green coalition is even more frightening. I’m not happy with iwi power at all,but don’t see Labour dropping it. | Dick |
| The Govt is making no mistakes ,and there is no alternative. | David |
| As an ex national voter I am amazed that Mr Keys and co together with the IWI leaders don’t get it. Bring on Winston. | Johan |
| Sadly I see populist Key (why authorised large NZ payment(s) to Clinton Foundation now under investigation) runs with the wolves and hunts with the hounds. If only we had a leader like Trump! Someone who listened to the people of NZ instead of his political cronies. Key seems to love Political Correctness – which eventually and obviously leads to silent majority rebellion once a true leader emerges. | Stuart |
| We have had the super joke of a city forced on us. We have free riding Maori not only in Parliament but now on councils etc that we don’t want. We had a huge waste of money spend on a flag that nobody wanted. Yes, time for Winston Peters to stand up and be heard for all NZers. | Marc |
| I have to say yes to the question, and something radical needs to happen. With our leader of the ACT Party insisting that President Elect Donald Trump is a madman, I have resigned from that organization after being a member for more than 20 years. The question is where is New Zealand’s Donald Trump? I don’t have anyone to vote for and it is the first time in my life that I find myself in this unhappy position. If National continues kowtowing to the Maori Elite, then I want to vote for a different outfit and it needs to be one that will stand up to climate change Nazis and the political correctness obstructionists. And someone who will also reign in the madness of the Health and Safety Nazis. They are all collectively crippling our country and removing our property rights and personal freedoms. On this Armistice Weekend, I have to wear earmuffs to tone down the whirring created by veterans spinning in their graves. What our current political masters are doing is insulting the memory and the sacrifices that our Veterans made in defence of our freedoms. | Dianna |
| Especially the pandering to iwi demands. | Colleen |
| Rich – Poor divide. Housing. Health. Race, Big Business v Small Business, We need a NZ Constitution for All – NO racial implications. NZ is over governed. Lots of laws protecting Big Business and the Rich. | Bill |
| If there is disillusionment it will show when it is large enough. Labour is retarded, greens irrational and national a unappealing and inefficient mish mash of left and right. Winstone as ever is Winstone whatever that is from time to time.. Meanwhile National trundles along, far better managers than most governments but deadly dull. | Raiford |
| The gradual transfer of power and asssts to iwi. | Ron |
| The pandering to minority’s to maintain to treasury benches has to stop | Kevin |
| Pandering to Maoris is a good place to start. Lack of Law and order … crims do what they want with little or no penalties … a very poor health system .. the list goes on. | Des |
| Massive immigration, greater per head of population than anywhere else is changing our culture forever. | Huria |
| We have always been National voters but are very dismayed at the pandering to Maori that is going on now. Will probably vote for Winston this time. | Barbara |
| Too much pandering to the maori party, we are one country and should be one people. | Murray |
| Our slow move away from democracy fueled by the governments constant pushing and passing legislation that promotes separatism. I know many ‘silent’ citizens who are not happy and have plans to change their voting in the next election… Watch out National Government!!! The people of this country want fairness and equality, something they are not seeing in government nor in the media coverage. Warning to politicians of ALL parties: Ignore the silent majority at your peril! | Maddi |
| People are sick and tired of the M word. Media here is totally biased. | Chris |
| Why are these idiot politicians trying to promote Racism ? | Brian |
| The Auckland centricity for a non aucklander is alienating and the national party pandering to iwi elites is an issue. That the msm does not report this critically is a major issue. | Willy |
| There will be a backlash unless a stop is put in place to throw out political correctness and the incessant and unrealistic pandering to Iwi. This is dividing our country and there will be resultant backlash causing similar results of Trumpmania here. | Robyn |
| There is massive disillusionment amongst those who think, but mostly people in NZ just go with the flow. We have a very poor history of opposing mediocre government, which is what we have had for a very long time. The fact that we have no true “Liberal” party in NZ (in the true meaning of the word, not ACT or the perverted Australian Liberal party) speaks volumes for our political apathy. | Brian |
| I’ve had enough of putting Iwi over Kiwi. | Graham |
| The public backlash comes from John Key, Nick Smith and other ministers who are smugly comfortable to be lead by the nose by Chris Finlayson and Iwi elite that is creating a racially divided NZ. | Maureen |
| More & more are opposing Maori favouritism & “protocol” intrusion into everyday life. So many are afraid to openly say so for fear of intimidation. | Nick |
| A growing silent majority of mature voters are furious about pandering to the Iwi political elite. If the Nats keep going down this track they will end up with a hung parliament post next election. | Peter |
| Government doing too many things that the people didn’t give it a mandate to do. | Andrew |
| I condemn National Party leaders for allowing the Govt to keep infiltrating racist policies into legislation and regulations not as a matter of principle (which it cannot be under Clause 3 of the Treaty) but as costly Parliamentary support. | Bernard |
| IMHO this is the result of the National government’s continuing preferential treatment of Maori. | Terry |
| There is clearly a negative move against this Govt among the ‘Silent Majority” The continued patronising by Key and his “Yes” followers to the maoris and their activists will result in a large decline in support at the next election. NZ people have strong views of race based policies which this govt is determined to follow and have had enough of their actions to apease the maoris and maintain their support. Less than 12 months remain to the next election Mr Key, continue on your chosen path at your own peril!! | David |
| In New Zealand it is definitely the racial policies of the National government that is driving any disillusionment. Many potential National votes will fall to NZ First rather than ACT as only they seem to be aware of the continuing slide towards apartheid. | John |
| Over regulation by councils and regional councils. Councils are no longer public servants but are bureaucrats intent on enforcing rules and laws which often benefit no one other than their own ivory towers. | Tony |
| I have lived in New Zealand for thirty years. It is with deep foreboding that I have witnessed this country’s descent into a race based state that is abandoning democracy in favour of tribalism. It will end in tears. | Jo |
| The all the reasons outlined in your latest column. The Iwi elite are driving a division in our country worse than apartheid. The back lash will cost Key his post | Lisa |
| Fed up with the apartheid system that the government continues to support. | Dave |
| RACIST HAND OVER S OF POWER FUNDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES. | BUD |
| All race based policies should be removed. Stop all funding for climate change policies. Curb social welfare & encourage self responsibility. | Harry |
| Shortsighted greed by a small minority. The selling of our national lands and identity to Financially powerful corporates and cutting NZ’ers out. | Harry |
| Once again, one country one people. | Jim |
| 1. A naive belief that governments rather than markets can “fix” things. I.e. Socialism has robbed Joe Citizen of self responsibility and reliance on self. 2. APARTHEID in NZ. Sick of cozy deals behind closed doors with Maori elite. 3. Continued disbelief and disillusionment with successive governments when election promises inevitably fail to materialise. I.e. we live in a world of spin and lack of reality. | Geoff |
| Like the UK and the US the middle class in NZ is being eroded by immigration,and John Keys poll driven governance pandering to Iwi and the weak Look out Key your dose of Brexit comes next year. | Don |
| elite maori groups given whatever they demand, and I believe they instead owe ‘NZers’ for decades of welfare, taxpayer support, governance, handouts and settlements (many duplicated). | Jenny |
| I for one am disillusioned with this government, but how many NZers acknowledge that this govt is forcing a race-based “constitution” on us? Some see it. In my view we now have to protect ourselves against this govt. | Phil |
| John Key and his Lakey government are behind this and ‘fingers crossed’ next year the majority of NZ will do the right thing. | Bryan |
| Giving billions to wealthy countries,e.g., Indonesia & starving social NZ social institutions, e.g., health, housing & etc. E.g., depriving 97y.o. of help with housework! i’m a retd. NZRN – have had untold experience of caring for elderly; know too well their needs! | Isabel |
| You can sense something is very wrong, like the holy spirit, you know he’s around but cant see him…. | Wayne |
| In N Z we tend to be slow to action but when we move there is a lot of common sense appears.John Key Heads a party that espouses reverse racial actions so it is inevitable that the wake up will appear. | Lance |
| The people are not being ask only thr dictators ,, listen to many voices the people ,,, | frank |
| They are putting law changes through by stealth, going against the publics wishes when it suits them, ignoring the fact that society is breaking down, housing, hospital lists etc and have forgotten who they are supposed to be representing. | Sue |
| I just hope the people in this country will take note and care enough to send a resounding message to the National Party that we have had enough of their divisive separatist racist policies. We should ALL be treated the same and all legislation that mentions race should be repealed. | Helen |
| Far too much emphasis is placed on Maori minority demands so as to hold power in parliament while the majority are denied. | Jon |
| A spineless govt changing laws to corrupt N.Z. democracy such as Maorification & false claimants from a bunch of part brown thugs who are sucker punching Govt & bleeding the tax payer dry. | Allen |
| John Key stile economic pragmatism, political correctness, Left Wing media and corrupt elites the use of immigration to artifically stimulate the economy while it undermines community cohesiveness. | Chris |
| The divide between the ‘rich and poor’ is increasing at the ‘speed of light….’ | Chris |
| The continual pandering to iwi leaders is as you state the main reason for this disillusionment. The latest example in the amended RMA legislation is one of the worst. However who do we replace our current government with ? The proposed coalition of Labour/Greens would probably be worse ie more pro Maori. | Rog |
| I agree that Maori demands which National seem determined to apease are creating a huge backlash. | Ray |
| I am appalled the govt.is considering a Maori Minority take over our clean water resources. The mere fact they are planning this means their time in Govt. Is over. Water is for everyone, it is not a racial issue. But as sure as hell it will become a Brexit unless repudiated publicly….soon. Before the election. | Peter |
| Maori are doing their best to create another ” South Africa ” in this country and need to be told, we are all New Zealanders as one people. If we’re not, who will be the next self interest group to emerge ?. When the Chinese are strong enough in numbers, God help the country, for that will be the first step to the destruction of what New Zealand once was. Or perhaps the new wave immigrants ( supposedly refugees ), who will create the havoc and destruction on a greater scale. Look at the Middle East. No two people can agree on almost anything. Take heed New Zealand. | John |
| The govt continues to practise racial politics. | Nev&kath |
| Political correctness is driving people to fight back. We’ve all had enough. We want the chains removed. | Lorna |
| Shonkey is a racist along with his spineless MP’s Winston is the only Poli to speak out He’s getting my vote after being a national supporter all my life | Greg |
| For the first time I have decided not to vote national again, unless they radically change thier virws on race based decisions. | Peter |
| Pandering to the “Master Race’ is now extreme. WWe WERE once one people. | Bruce |
| The forcing onto ambivalent populations via legislation a neo-Liberal vision of the world which enforces politically correct attitudes and behaviours opposed by many (e.g. anti-smacking legislation, establishment of unelected racially selected local boards). NZ politicians, particularly National, should be acutely aware of this trend and take from it lessons about alienation of a hitherto loyal support base if they wish to remain in Government. Extreme views, of whatever political complexion, spell the death knell for parties in NZ (e.g. Alliance, Mana), as does neo-Liberalism and political corectness by stealth! | Andrew |
| Too much Iwi influence, too much PC and too much H&S. | David |
| Especially with the manipulation, rorting and distorting of the Treaty of Waitangi by Maori. We are supposed to be one nation. | Murray |
| The main stream politicians treat the general public in a patronising and dismissive way, very arrogant, “they know best” kind of way. Also firmly entrenching race based (“Maori”) privilage policies. | Trevor |
| Pandering to Iwi leaders is the problem. | Robbie |
| But we don’t have a reasonable alternative. | Graeme |
| Key is crawling to part-Maoris. Key is making race-based separatism favouring part-Maoris. | Barry |
| Maori do not own the the countries resources, we all do!!!! | Les |
| Continued pandering to minority groups on the basis of race and “rights” will cost John Key lots of votes at the next election. Excessive immigration leading to the housing crisis are areas where National have lost control. Lucky for the PM the opposition is “rubbish”. | Jim |
| I am sick & tired of this Govt pandering to Iwi. Very destuctive & dividing this nation all for the sake of our so called leaders EGO & staying in control & the usual gravy train.Pathetic. | NEVILLE |
| I for one am disillusioned about our government giving in to Maori. I want this country to be for everyone. We get by in life by our merits, not because we are a certain colour. That is wrong. It does make me angry. I want to be proud of my country but with this going on, division, I am not. | Kerin |
| Governments stopped listening to the people! Party politics is all that matters to them. Example:L the vote against the anti smaking bill” We don’t want it but they don’t care! They stole our democracy! | Andy |
| I am sick of the Maori IWI and their now ridiculous claims. I feel many people will show their disgust at the ballot box next election by voting for Winston Peters and leaving him with the balance of power. As much as this alarms me with him in Government I am certain the pandering to the IWI will cease. | Colin |
| Iwi are having FAR too much influence on govt and it is becoming increasingly clear that pakeha are becoming a minority voice in parliament. My family farmed out of Gisborne and helped build the marae where Whale Riders was filmed. My grandfather’s name and that of a couple of my uncles are on the honours board so I am told but because I am pakeha they will not let us onto the marae to see and honour our family. My Father knew Sir Apirama Ngata and said he was the most far sighted man he had ever met. Sir Ngata told Dad that maori and pakeha should work together for the good of the country. Yeah,,,, right,,,,, | Mel |
| Deals like the RMA Amendment done with the Maori Party this week when no-one was looking. Typical sort of thing we have all had a gutsful of. Beware next years Election is coming. | Kevin |
| The rich are getting richer and the poor poorer. The government are not listening to the people. We have never had poverty quite like we have now. | Jan |
| I am hearing negative comments around the separatist pandering to Maori regularly, people speaking out more openly and even those of Maori background acknowledging the the need for us to become one country again. Letters in the papers are also more forthright in their condemnation of Maori privilege. National won’t get the message though. | Alastair |
| Too much immigration. letting foreigners buy private property. Race based politics. | Nigel |
| Especially on Iwi issues but also on water, climate change, foreshore and sea bed, housing and immigration. | A |
| The National government will ignore at their peril the growing anger with the continual giving way to unreasonable demands from the racist Maori elite. And all this to remain in power! I look forward to our own Trump-Brexit movement, but who will be our champion? | Mike |
| National won’t win the next election unless they change the policy relating to separatism. Welcome prime minister Winston. | Michael |
| All governments seem to forget they are elected by the people for the people and they need to wake up! | Tina |
| Nick Smith shouldn’t be allowed out alone, let alone making ministerial decisions. | William |
| People are sick of spend tax payer money and how these Governments cut jobs and sold thing of over seas. The cost of living is getting high and the rich are better off. The Nat and Labour Governments have kept on doing the same old thing and no changes have taken place for laboring jobs in this country. 80% of the people in this country are Labours. So things have to change. For get about free trade and get the country in better shape. Have people working and paying their shear of Taxs. Bring back milling our timber here and things like that. Get a lot of the trucks of the roads and on to rail. Oh yes the Government want that big money from trucks on the road. Jobs Jobs are needed. Not office jobs and to much paper work in this country. | Robert |
| I agree that Maori privilege over other New Zealanders will be the source of a backlash. I personally will be waiting to see if National modifies its policies to be directed towards and structured for all New Zealanders, not Maori (and I easily “qualify” as Maori as well…) | Mark |
| Inequality issues and political racism. | Roderick |
| Appeasing a blackmailer (in this case, Maoridom) is never a long-term solution. Key’s hyper-PC govt. is selling Kiwis literally down the river. | Rod |
| They are putting their own agendas forward to please the minority instead of what the majority want, they are dividing the country by pampering to the maori minority toget their way. | Colin |
| Racist Policies. | Colin |
| Frank you are so so right on the iwi issue I cant believe that keys advisers aren’t getting the message through but then again Hillarys didn’t. | Browny |
| The Govt’s refusal to listen to the man in the street’s point of view is going to be fatal. They don’t seem to be able to see the Express train bearing down on them. | David |
| Absolutely, wake up and watch out Mr Key! | Stuart |
| Of course I do. NZ’s been disappearing into a Govt. backed, racist drain for years. This is one of the main reasons we moved back to the UK in 2014. I wonder how many Kiwi’s would do the same, if only they could? | John |
| We Kiwis really want to maintain our majority and political control before immigrants become able to choose a Moslem or other foreign leader to take our country to being like where they came from. Commmonsense stuff. Sort the PC nonsense also – put some rules in for the media and their truth requirements.Legislate for the truth. | Ian |
| They don’t listen or care. They know what’s best. Immigration is a fine example. | Ranald |
| Racist bills are not wanted by the majority. This government must wake up and listen to the people! | Kingsley |
| The previous NZ democracy has been eroded over the past 40 years to an essentially arrogant autocracy. However, history shows that the masses will eventually fight back. | Michael |
| I have been a fervent National supporter, but I am disillusioned about the promotion of a racial divide. I will probably vote National locally and for NZ First on the list. | Henry |
| NZ has a number of good indicators economically and is tracking better than most countries however the reminder to the Govt is to listen to the mood/feedback of the country on immigration, referendumns, housing,and changes they make to the RMA. | Phil |
| John Key and Finlaysons agenda to have Maori elite run the country is going to be their downfall. | Murray |
| Disillusionment will always be a factor that dogs governments. At its most basic level, individuals feel disappointed that what they voted for has not delivered enough personally for them. Whether this develops into enough angst to topple the present government remains to be seen. | Peter |
| It is time for a real political change for this country also. A bloodless revolution is due here next election. | Trevor |
| The maori nonsense is driving this. | Phil |
| Divisive policies at the expense of democracy and the majority of Kiwis. | Laurie |
| The people have no control of the politicians after each election. We must demand a new system of government based on the Swiss model or we will continue to descend into tyranny and social dislocation. | ROBERT |
| I’ve repeated raised the issue of the “Maori Party tail” wagging the National dog at National electorate functions. MPs and ministers only ever respond with placating noises. The Treaty “settlements” were supposed to bring us as a people “closer together” but, demonstrably and conclusively, we’re now far further apart than we’ve ever been. | Jim |
| Apartheid. | Colin |
| Sound bites used so frequently in our new media are quick to gain “ready reconer” solutions that are convenient and easily remembered. Said often enough they become the new facts in spite of their accuracy or authenticity. Average Mr/Mrs Joe Blow are finding it difficult to sort out, become frustrated and by the looks of things the trend is for a greater proportion of us don’t vote. We are hardly getting a democratic representation and the mandate claimed by the successful politicians is not really present. This leads to desperation, futility and despair. Is this one of the main issues behind the growing trend of low turnout to vote? | Edwin |
| John Key and Co are letting this country and the non Maori people down by pandering to the so called Maori elite. They are creating a huge division between races of NZ and it is going to come back and bite National at the next election if they don’t reverse theiir current direction. I am voting NZ First next because of their pandering to Maori. | Mike |
| National is selling the 85% of non-maori citizens down the road SIMPLY TO KEEP IN POWER How I’d love to say below that 4 2=VI | Anthony |
| A country for all New Zealanders. No racial privileges. | Alan |
| Maori elite propagating Maori poor will result in a backlash. | Murray |
| Goverments get too comfortable the longer they are in power. By pandering to the Iwi leaders the population will soon become very uncomfortable. Government is by the people for the whole population. Pure and simple. | Tim |
| I hope the government will heed the lesson from the overseas elections. We are tired of PC and issues which divide NZ instead of making us one. | Jill |
| Driven by separatist government policies and iwi greed. | Mark |
| An arrogance with being in Office too long.Failure to listen to the people. e must lower migration drastically to stop the pressure on our infrastructure.Vitually all services are under stress and not coping. Time for a change methinks. | William |
| There are many reasons but the one at the top of the list for me is, ‘The erosion of Democracy’. | Tony |
| Appeasing a blackmailer (in this case, Maoridom) is never a long-term solution. Key’s hyper-PC govt. is selling Kiwis literally down the river. | Rod |
| They are putting their own agendas forward to please the minority instead of what the majority want, they are deviding the country by pampering to the maori minority toget their way | Coltn |
| Racist Policies. | Colin |
| Frank you are so so right on the iwi issue I cant believe that keys advisers aren’t getting the message through but then again Hillarys didn’t. | Browny |
| The Govt’s refusal to listen to the man in the street’s point of view is going to be fatal. They don’t seem to be able to see the Express train bearing down on them. | David |
| Absolutely, wake up and watch out Mr Key ! | Stuart |
| Of course I do. NZ’s been disappearing into a Govt. backed, racist drain for years. This is one of the main reasons we moved back to the UK in 2014. I wonder how many Kiwi’s would do the same, if only they could? | John |
| We Kiwis really want to maintain our majority and political control before immigrants become able to choose a Moslem or other foreign leader to take our country to being like where they came from. Commmonsense stuff. Sort the PC nonsense also – put some rules in for the media and their truth requirements.Legislate for the truth. | ian |
| They don’t listen or care. they no what’s best. Immigration is a fine example. | Ranald |
| Racist bills are not wanted by the majority. This government must wake up and listen to the people! | Kingsley |
| The previous NZ democracy has been eroded over the past 40 years to an essentially arrogant autocracy. However, history shows that the masses will eventually fight back. | michael |
| I have been a fervent National supporter, but I am disillusioned about the promotion of a racial divide. I will probably vote National locally and for NZ First on the list. | Henry |
| NZ has a number of good indicators economically and is tracking better than most countries however the reminder to the Govt is to listen to the mood/feedback of the country on immigration, referendumns, housing,and changes they make to the RMA. | Phil |
| John Key and Finlaysons agenda to have Maori elite run the country is going to be their downfall | Murray |
| Disillusionment will always be a factor that dogs governments. A its most basic level, individuals feel disappointed that what they voted for has not delivered enough personally for them. Whether this develops into enough angst to topple the present government remains to be seen. | Peter |
| It is time for a real political change for this country also. A bloodless revolution is due here next election | Trevor Hansen |
| The maori nonscence is driving this | Phil |
| Divisive policies at the expense of democracy and the majority of Kiwis | Laurie |
| The people have no control of the politicians after each election. We must demand a new system of government based on the Swiss model or we will continue to descend into tyranny and social dislocation. | ROBERT |
| I’ve repeated raised the issue of the “Maori Party tail” wagging the National dog at National electorate functions. MPs and ministers only ever respond with placating noises. The Treaty “settlements” were supposed to bring us as a people “closer together” but, demonstrably and conclusively, we’re now far further apart than we’ve ever been. | Jim |
| Apartheid | colin |
| Sound bites used so frequently in our new media are quick to gain “ready reconer” solutions that are convenient and easily remembered. Said often enough they become the new facts in spite of their accuracy or authenticity. Average Mr/Mrs Joe Blow are finding it difficult to sort out, become frustrated and by the looks of things the trend is for a greater proportion of us don’t vote. We are hardly getting a democratic representation and the mandate claimed by the successful politicians is not really present. This leads to desperation, futility and despair. Is this one of the main issues behind the growing trend of low turnout to vote? | Edwin |
| John Key and Co are letting this country and the non Maori people down by pandering to the so called Maori elite. They are creating a huge division between races of NZ and it is going to come back and bite National at the next election if they don’t reverse theiir current direction. I am voting NZ First next because of their pandering to Maori | Mike |
| National is selling the 85% of non-maori citizens down the road SIMPLY TO KEEP IN POWER How I’d love to say below that 4 2=VI | Anthony |
| A country for all New Zealanders. No racial priviliges | Alan |
| Maori elite propagating Maori poor will result in a backlash. | Murray |
| Goverments get too comfortable the longer they are in power. By pandering to the Iwi leaders the population will soon b become very uncomfortable. Government is by the people for the whole population. Purre and simple | Tim |
| I hope the government will heed the lesson from the overseas elections. We are tired of PC and issues which divide NZ instead of making us one. | jill |
| Driven by separatist government policies and iwi greed. | Mark |
| An arrogance with being in Office too long.Failure to listen to the people. e must lower migration drastically to stop the pressure on our infrastructure.Vitually all services are under stress and not coping. Time for a change methinks. | William |
| There are many reasons but the one at the top of the list for me is, ‘The erosion of Democracy’. | Tony |
| Yes and it’s the pandering to iwi – as Muriel has said in the newsletter. People have had enough. | Dan |
| I know so many National voters who are going to vote for Winston Peters this time around because they are sick and tired of National taking no notice of their concerns. | Geoffrey |
| Unfortunately, National is going the same way as Labour in its third term – arrogant and treating voters as if we are a nuisance. Unless they change their tune and stop pandering to iwi, I certainly will not be voting for them again. | Andrew |
| What a great result in the US. Let’s hope Mr Trump delivers on his promises. National should learn from that whole experience otherwise they are in for a shock at the ballot box next year. | Margaret |
| NZ First is going to do well, picking up disillusioned National Party voters – and the number is growing daily! | John |