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Dear Sir
On the morning the cyclone hit the parliament protest, it was freezing, windy and wet. Over the next several hours, on a small section of an eighty-metre-long protest wall I got to know four very different New Zealanders who all told their own stories.
To my right, a young man from Whakatane, educated shifts of police on a range of vaccine data government scientists had somehow missed. The second, a mother of seven children who thanked police for cutting down one of her kids from a bridge but then questioned why police now resisted those who stood for freedom of choice. To my left a former English barrister berated government mandates that dismantled human rights people mistakenly thought were enshrined in law. And finally, a kaumatua who stood in silence holding the Kotahitanga (unity) flag.
On the wall, I marvelled at the diversity and quality of those people who confronted parliament’s conceit, who challenged the police to think, (I know) and the cyclone to do its worst. As I looked at the grounds, large numbers of tents had been flattened overnight, and many people were cold and tired. But then later that morning, as truckloads of hay bales supplied by farmers were used to form a layer over the mud, we all saw a wonderful thing.
We saw New Zealanders who had been isolated for long periods in lockdown. Many of whom had lost jobs, friends, and even family because they refused vaccination. Who having been segregated socially because they esteemed their right to choose greater than those things. Who, when bludgeoned by one of the worst cyclones to hit the capital in years, turned to comfort and help one another, and in so doing, took back the humanity government sought to take from us.
It was then, we realised they could not break us.
So, when on March 2nd political anger snapped and begat mindless police violence. When Jacinda’s lies flowed like a river of filth. And together they stormed the hill by force, it was then we gained the high place, those who fight for freedom, stand upon….
Lest we forget.
But then an uncomfortable battle in me at least. Should I lower myself to their violence? Or should I work peacefully with others to vote this government out. FYI, I have chosen to vote crazy horse out. But replacing Jacinda with Luxon, or Seymour, when the entire 120 conspired as one against us? (Never forget that) Yeah… nah. I for one don’t want to swap one lab rat out for another.
However, I agree with the many voices calling to overhaul the system to prevent the utter abuse of power politicians, ministries, police, iwi leaders and dog media have perpetrated. They must never subjugate our inalienable rights as human beings ever again. Never. And further, they must be held accountable…
Lest they forget.
Like many of us I see those like Matt King standing up. Maybe Guy Hatchard. Can we endure an honest politician? I understand VFF are looking to turn out in council elections in the run up to elections. Fantastic. Others too, like the Outdoors Party and the Coalition to name a few. I think too we need someone with a bit of mongrel. And while it appears we are spoilt for choice, therein lies a problem in my view.
With such diversity we risk splitting and diluting our vote. Overwhelming the consensus is we need to galvanise into one or two parties. Can this be achieved? Critically from top to grass roots we need to communicate better between our groups so as not to repeat the failings of the parliament protest. The lack of cohesion and transparency bred mistrust, and this was ruthlessly exploited.
But there’s one other thing the protest movement can learn from parliaments occupation.
While those few people on that tiny section of wall came from a diverse range of backgrounds, we all stood with a singleness of purpose and claimed the right to speak. They didn’t give it to us. We took it. So, we as voters must accept that in bringing a diversity of politically inspired people together, we must back them when the system we are looking to change, pushes back. We need political leaders who will protest, not apologise.
And those who stand for us, must be very clear on this point.
Tihei Mauriora! – A call to claim the right to speak.
John Meroiti
Waikato
It’s true, there is need for the diverse groups to come together to form a party with a singleness of purpose. I can get behind the democratic right to free speech.
Thank you John for making this most valuable point. And again for being a voice of reason in this world gone crazy through intimation and fear brought upon us by those who should know better. Your stories from the wall are a lesson for any thinking New Zealander.
The local body elections are, and must be, an opportunity to state and claim change in the future running of our country at a community level. I hope and pray the previous apathy shown by the majority for these elections will be overcome. It is vital local communities come together with a unified message nationwide. A message that everyone has a voice and everyone is heard no matter the consensus outcome.
It is the grass-roots of political parties and ideas that will lead to stronger national polling when that time is upon us. It is now we must begin cohesion at the local level to move forward to the national stage. There is no ignoring the fact real change can only come from common ideals.
It is therefore, important to put our energies where it will be most effective, to work towards a unity of purpose, and that purpose is to sweep the floors of Parliament clean. That can only be achieved when we all get behind the best candidate for the job, and not be taken by a chorus of voices singing similar songs. For to do so will leave us exactly where we are.
James great point regards local communities coming out with a unified message nationwide. And yes Apathy is the enemy.
Our nations soul is under attack and we need to get off our arses
Well said John.
I think one of our first moves is to establish just who many of our so called ‘leaders’ and ‘politicians’ are. How many are associated with the World Economic Forum?
I understand that not only Jacinda Ardern and Simon Bridges were Young Global Leaders under the WEF but Chris Luxon and David Parker also has had connections.
We don’t want to have our cabinet ‘penetrated’ like in Canada.
As for local elections, well that system is broken. Furthermore the councillors have little power, just look at 3 waters. Why aren’t they kicking up more of a stink about that? What is the REAL reason for it?
As for water…..have a look at the new documentary by Stew Peters (on rumble) ‘Watch the water’. What really is in our water? Are they trying to poison us?
We need to band together alright, dividing us up into groups based on ethnic or medical status does not give us power as one people to demand our inalienable equal rights from the people who claim to represent us and who are paid handsomely our of our taxes for it.
Unity is the only future.
Thanks John, so well written. I fully agree the smaller parties are going to have to unite to have any hope of getting these idiots out of government. Our country depends on change – it is in ruins. The next election will be make or break for New Zealand, assuming we survive until then. I agree the current government needs to be held accountable for the severe abuse of human rights. Media needs to change, it’s an absolute joke (not funny though). Fortunately, so many New Zealanders can see through this nonsense and there is hope.