Pardon His French, Mr Key!

Hone Harawira’s recent comments on New Zealand’s colonialism are “divisive” and “negative,” Prime Minister John Key said.

NOTE: He didn’t say Harawira’s comments were “untrue!”

In his speech last weekend at the Parihaka International Peace Festival, Mr Harawira said the “rape of Maori lands” continued.

Harawira made a perfectly correct, valid and truthful statement. To see what’s happening in New Zealand and to NOT call it the “rape of Maori lands” would be a denial. Unlike Mr Key and his people, Maori are NOT in denial.

“Last year I made the statement that white so-and-sos have been raping our lands and ripping us off and everyone hated me. All I was doing was holding up a mirror to New Zealand,” Mr Harawira said.

This, too, is a perfectly honest, valid and truthful statement. While we don’t often use the same “so-and-sos” language, we are not about to teach Mr Harawira how to suck an egg.

As John Key stands in front of his palatial home in St Stevens Ave, Parnell, Auckland, reportedly worth $9 million, one in six New Zealanders, both Maori and Europeans, live in poverty. Photo: Geoff Dale. Image may be subject to copyright

In fact, we many even be in disagreement with him on a number of issues. However, when it comes to the defense of Maori land, he speaks the same language.

Of course, Mr Key is at liberty to criticize him, but he is standing on thin ice.

“They [Harawira’s comments] are not helping the process they are actually hindering the process.

“I would utterly reject the perspective that Hone Harawira has on New Zealand’s history and the role of the settlers and others in New Zealand.”

But you would be in denial, Mr Key. Then again your people are used to that aren’t they!

“Key said the Government had formed a relationship with the Maori Party because they thought it was important to maintain a ‘positive, inclusive and forward looking perspective’ on race relations.” A report said.

Is that an implied threat, Mr Key? Are you going to let your “dogs” [paramilitary police] loose on Maori progressive again? What exactly are you suggesting? We would like to know.

“It is my view that the comments from Hone Harawira, both in his most recent speech and his comments pre-Christmas, are both reflective and quite divisive and they are ultimately negative.” Key added, though not necessarily in response to our question.

Asked what advice he had for Mr Harawira, Key replied:

“I think he should reflect on how we can best deliver a brighter future for all new Zealanders and I don’t think that really comes in stirring up a one-sided perspective on New Zealand’s history.”

Here’s our last question for Mr Key [for now anyway!]

How do you justify your amassed wealth of $50 to $80 million, when 219,627 New Zealand children live in poverty?

Related Links:

• Jack and Jill Got a Bum Deal

• 219,627 New Zealand Children live in poverty
• Delusionary vision
• Fighting for $1.62 an hour
• How to burn $10m of taxpayers’ money in a flash
• Govt. Desperate to Downplay Missile Test
• JOHN KEY, LISTEN TO ME, WE WANT DEMOCRACY
• Correction: New Zealand Among Most Corrupt Countries
• Ramming War Propaganda Down Your Throat
• More Official Porkie Pies!
• ‘Boobs on Tanks’: Selling War in Afghanistan to NZers

• As New Zealand’s military spending increases, so does the number of its children living in poverty!