Steve Maharey: Everyone needs a say

Let’s be clear – the Hobson’s Pledge group fronted by Don Brash is as racist as it comes.

The fact that he and his friends believe otherwise is no reason to cut them any slack.

Whenever a dominant group starts talking about being “one people” (he iwi kotaho tatou), they mean everyone, regardless of their background, should live like them.  

Dr Brash says the focus is on Maori because the government is giving them a special status that will make them better than everyone else.

To say this is to miss the important point that Maori are the first people of the land and this position should be recognised by the rest of us. It also fails to acknowledge that on almost any statistic, Maori are far from privileged.

The Pledge is what is known as “dog whistle” politics. Talk about how everyone should be the same and appear to be surprised when racists flood out of the closet in support. This is no surprise and the Pledge people know it.

Assimilation

What they long for are the days of assimilation. New Zealand has been through this phase and it did not work because not everyone wants to live like white middle class people. Others have their own culture and want to live accordingly. It also allows no space for the fresh and different contributions of new communities.

New Zealand has moved to biculturalism (recognition of Maori and the first people of the land) and multiculturalism (celebration of different cultures).

Biculturalism should and will endure. But it will be necessary to rethink multiculturalism because it too often ends up being little more than a call for the dominant population to be tolerant of others.

This is going to have to change. If New Zealand is to be successful as a highly diverse society, then everyone who lives here is going to have to see themselves as represented in every aspect of life.

This scares the pants off the Hobson’s Pledge folk. They can see this coming and want to head it off by claiming everyone else is racist because they do not accept that when Governor Hobson talked of “one people” he meant everyone had the privilege of being British.

Instead of guessing what was in Hobson’s  mind, we should be ensuring all cultures thrive while creating as many opportunities as possible for everyone to help build a new culture. The flag debate was a wasted opportunity; instead it became a design competition.

New Zealand is not immune from the rise of anti-immigrant sentiment around the world. The lack of individuals ready to act as a rallying point might be the only thing holding these forces in check.

If Hobson’s Pledge is an effort to provide this leadership, it should be met with clear and resolute arguments. New Zealand in the 21st century could draw on the best of many cultures.

Equally, it could follow Donald Trump, who says he is the least racist person.

A new national story should include all of the experiences of everyone who is making their home here. No one can dictate this story but we can commit ourselves to making a future together and ensure it happens. Then we will be one people.

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