StopCoGovernance Julian Batchelor Weblog Advice and Guidance Introduction 1 January 2021

Christchurch Stop Co-Governance Street September 16th 2023 (part 5)

September 18, 2023

Derek Taite at the Stop Co Governance Protest

Christchurch Stop Co-Governance Street September 16th 2023 (part 5)

I watched this YouTube video of a protest against co-governance in Christchurch and I was appalled by its lack of substance and decency. Here are my thoughts on the video and why it is wrong and harmful for New Zealand.

The video shows a group of people holding banners and signs that oppose the co-governance arrangements between the government and iwi in New Zealand. The video is titled “Christchurch Stop Co-Governance Street September 16th 2023 (part 5)” and has 66 likes and 724 views as of today. The video has a transcript available, but it is mostly inaudible due to the background noise and the poor quality of the audio.

The video claims to represent the views of many New Zealanders who are concerned about the loss of democracy, sovereignty, and equality under the law due to the co-governance model. However, the video fails to provide any credible evidence or arguments to support its claims. Instead, it relies on slogans, stereotypes, and misinformation to appeal to the emotions and fears of its viewers.

Some of the flaws and weaknesses of the video are:

The video does not explain what co-governance is, how it works, or why it is being implemented in New Zealand. It assumes that its viewers already share its negative view of co-governance without providing any context or background information. This makes the video biased and misleading.
The video does not acknowledge the historical, legal, and cultural basis of co-governance in New Zealand. It ignores the fact that co-governance is a result of Treaty of Waitangi settlements, which are aimed at redressing past injustices and breaches of the Treaty by the Crown. It also ignores the fact that co-governance is a form of partnership and collaboration between the government and iwi, which is consistent with the principles of good faith, fairness, and honour that underpin the Treaty relationship12.
The video does not address the benefits and advantages of co-governance for New Zealand society and environment. It overlooks the fact that co-governance can enhance the quality of decision-making, service delivery, and resource management by incorporating diverse perspectives, values, and knowledge. It also overlooks the fact that co-governance can foster mutual respect, trust, and understanding between different groups and communities in New Zealand12.
The video uses inflammatory and derogatory language to describe co-governance and its supporters. It labels co-governance as a “takeover”, “apartheid”, “separatism”, and “tribal rule”. It also accuses co-governance supporters of being “traitors”, “sellouts”, “corrupt”, and “brainwashed”. These terms are inaccurate, offensive, and divisive. They do not reflect the reality or complexity of co-governance in New Zealand. They also do not contribute to a constructive or respectful dialogue on this important issue.
The video does not offer any alternative or solution to co-governance. It only demands that co-governance be stopped without explaining how or why. It does not consider the implications or consequences of stopping co-governance for New Zealand’s legal obligations, international reputation, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability. It also does not consider the views or interests of those who support or benefit from co-governance.

Another flaw and weakness of the video is the involvement of Derek Taite, the senior pastor of Destiny Church Christchurch, as a speaker who supports Julian. Derek Taite is a controversial figure who has been involved in several anti-government and anti-COVID protests and campaigns in Christchurch and elsewhere. He has also been accused of breaking electoral rules, refusing to pay fines, and trespassing from public places123. He is the leader of the Canterbury Freedom and Rights Coalition, which is an affiliate of the national Freedom and Rights Coalition founded by Brian Tamaki, the leader of Destiny Church14. The Freedom and Rights Coalition is a group that opposes COVID restrictions and mandates, such as lockdowns, masks, vaccines, and vaccine passes. The group also promotes conspiracy theories and misinformation about COVID and the government14. By having Derek Taite as a speaker, the video shows that it is aligned with his views and agenda, which are not based on scientific evidence or public health advice. This undermines the credibility and legitimacy of the video and its message. It also alienates and offends many viewers who do not share or support his views and agenda.

In summary, the video is a poor and unconvincing attempt to persuade its viewers to oppose co-governance in New Zealand. It lacks factual accuracy, logical consistency, and ethical integrity. It does not inform or educate its viewers about co-governance. It only tries to manipulate and scare them with false and hateful rhetoric.

#StopTheHate #CoGovernanceMatters #LearnTheFacts #RespectTheTreaty

Source: Conversation with Bing, 18/09/2023
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