Sep 2, 2013
Shane Jones: selling out the kaupapa edition
Willie Jackson ripped into Nanaia Mahuta, Moana Mackey and Louisa Wall on Marae Investigates. Willie argued that they're guilty of "selling out" the kaupapa. The kaupapa being supporting a Maori leader of the Labour Party. He was unkind, but he might be right.
There seems to be little point in having a Maori caucus if it isn't going to support a Maori leadership candidate. (Honourable exception: Rino Tirikatene). Surely that's the guiding kaupapa. But does solidarity demand that they support Shane? Thoughts.
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Personally, I don't think they're sell outs. I don't think their whakapapa Maori binds them to Shane in this instance. But we never get anywhere unless we move as a collective. It seems to be a case, like Willie says, of putting Labour before Maori.
ReplyDeleteIf there was a woman candidate would Willie be able to claim that Nanaia, Moana and Louisa were still selling out if they supported that candidate over Shane?
ReplyDeleteIt's a little bit like when Hilary Clinton was running and there was an expectation that all the women would just support her. That's not how it works and you cannot force someone to support someone if they don't feel that the person is the right person for the job. The Labour caucus (and Maori in general) should be able to choose someone for Leader despite race/gender/sexual orientation because they believe he (in this case) is the right person for the job! Maybe a different Maori MP *would* have had the support of the Maori caucus....
ReplyDeleteAnd so it begins. I have broken my comment silence in the blogosphere. Dear god.
Welcome! I agree - to a certain extent. There are whakapapa considerations at issue. In other words, does their whakapapa Maori bind them? I don't think it does, but it's an argument that has been put quite often and quite strongly by others. The situation is similar to the Maori Party in its early years. Generally speaking, Maori offered tautoko, but didn't vote en masse for the party. That seems to be happening here.
DeleteI will admit that I'm not as well versed in the tikanga in this area as I should be but I suspect that vocal denunciation would be unacceptable.
DeleteMahuta, Mackey and Wall are political realists. They know Cunliffe will win 2014. They know Jones wont. Why back someone that will not win the popular vote? Willy is at the best of times politically deluded. @plateaunz
ReplyDeleteOf course they shouldn't have to support him, but nor do they have to dis him either. I actually think he has made the leadership race more interesting and would happily vote for a Labour Party with Shane as leader. The other two at the moment seem to be promising everything but the kitchen sink. If they win they will find it very hard to debate the National Party in the 2014 election campaign, because I think the costings of their promises are going to seriously balloon. Although I know that Shane probably won't win, I am picking Cunliffe to suceed.
ReplyDeleteI don't think they're selling out.
ReplyDeleteThere are numerous examples of Maori politicians who may make a poor leader, and, importantly, not assist Maori.
An example?
A Jami-Lee Ross type of candidate who is Maori, but doesn't really identify as Maori and would presumably do nothing to assist Maori.
Versus someone like a John Minto or a Catherine Delahunty who is not Maori but sees the injustice Maori face.
Which candidate should Maori support?
I don't care what colour the man is, its the substance of his policy that matters most. I mean, Simon Bridges and Paula Bennet have whakapapa, that doesn't mean Maori have to support them does it? Is Willie going to stop critiquing all Maori MPs?
ReplyDeletePerhaps not a case of putting Labour before Maori but putting women before Maori? Shane not exactly prioritising women's issues... And isn't Labour getting into Government going to help Maori more than a collective gesture of solidarity behind a leadership candidate who is highly unlikely to win?
ReplyDeleteNice try WJ. I'm sure you earned your MI appearance fee on Sunday morning with the sellout cliche.
ReplyDeleteSurely having support is a privilege that's earned. Not a right. Why should Labour's Maori MPs feel obligated to support Shane Jones simply because of his whakapapa? That's crazy. Like his disdain for the man ban, kick this one to the curb too.
Manaia C
I think there is some misunderstanding over the purpose of the 'Labour Maori Caucus'. It is not to advance the cause of Maori within Labour but to act as a power base for Nanaia and her fellow travelers.
ReplyDeleteIf it was an actual 'Maori Caucus', Shane as highest ranked MP and Maori Affairs spokesperson would at least be a member, if not leading it.
Let’s be realistic if Shane Jones was the labour leader combined with a deputy of John Tamihere –Maori party and Mana movement would we wiped from existence in a heart beat. Fortunately the labour caucus doesn’t have that insight and Labour can continue to decline its ownership of the Maori seats. Why does Shane Jones always talk in metaphors I like it he reminds me of Dr McCoy from Star Trek.
ReplyDeleteUltimately what is best for Maori is the overthrowing of the National party this coming election. Is Shane Jones the right man to go head to head with John Key in order to achieve a change of government? No. David Cunliffe is the only man out of the three who has the capability, nous, and skills to do this. He also resonates with a broader voter group: middle class New Zealanders (higher voter turnout), unionists, and to an extent Maori (with the backing of a substantial number of the Labour Maori caucus). All due respect to Shane Jones for running however, his career has been riddled with scandal and somewhat empty promises of great leadership qualities. In fact Jones needed to run for the leadership position to prevent the concretion of his 'lifestyle politician' reputation. Because lets me honest, Jones has sat in parliament for a long time gaining little traction within Maori politics. His arrogance and sexist comments do not help. I would recommend Shane Jones not burn too many bridges during his campaign, and position himself for deputy. Jones is in good stead to take over the Tamaki Makaurau electorate with the retirement of Pita, he should start focusing on that as he has spent more than enough time as a list MP. One more thing - shame on Willie Jackson for his comments about Nanaia et al; they have the bigger picture in mind for Maori, don't tarnish their names just because you don't have foresight.
ReplyDeleteIn breach of the kaupapa? Really Willie? These women are being smart! Backing Cunliffe is backing the only real chance this country has at a change of government. Ae, Shane is an orator etc; he also comes off as being very arrogant. Let me ask you this Willie - if Shane wins the leadership position, do you think New Zealand is ready to elect a Maori prime minister? Hell no! They won't even allow for te reo to become a compulsory subject in school. Another three year term for National if it goes your way Willie, think about it.
ReplyDelete