E te Apotoro - Oh Apostle

 E te Apotoro, E Brian

If truly, we believe what Apostle John writes, that his master Jesus, is "The Way, The Truth and The Life", and if Apostle John's master is ALSO Our Master, then we must also believe this of Jesus, that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. 

If we understand what Apostle Paul wrote in the Letter to the Church in Corinth about who the "God of this world" is, and that, that one is not our friend, but our enemy. That the God of this world is the Adversary of not just believers, but of all people.

If we follow as Jesus directs in the writings of Apostle Matthew to "Seek first the Kingdom" knowing that "all else" will come after that.

And if we follow Apostle Paul's direction in his letter to the Church in Philippi to "pray about everything".

If we hear the words of Jesus about "Praying to be seen of others" as written by Apostle Matthew, where Jesus calls such loud people "Hypocrites".

And if we understand that even after events like the Martyrdom of Stephen, there were no loud protests from Christians.

IF INDEED ALL THAT IS CLEAR...

Than the writings and deeds of Biblical Apostles, present you and your followers with a few questions.

Do YOU also truly believe that Jesus actually is the Way, the Truth and the Life?

Is a Believer's life supposed to be easy?

Should Believers blame the Government or anyone else if their life is not easy?

Is blaming Earthly Governments for what they do or not do; "seeking first the Kingdom"?

Is any response other than "prayer" appropriate for believers?

Is it the duty of believers to loudly decry the evils of this world or it's Governments?

Are the believers in 2021 wiser and better than the first century church that our reactions are different than the the first century church?

Brian, have you been wise as a believer?

Have you as a believer shown light to the world?

The Apostle James directs those who seek wisdom to ask God.

Did you as a believer, Ask God?

Or did you Brian, disregard Apostle James's Warning and "find fault"?

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These are all questions for reflection.

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See, here is the thing. Lockdown has been tough. Covid19 and it's effects are tough. Yes, the economy is not at full strength and so some people have little or no work. And yes, aside from other obvious things, Mental Health of so many is indeed taking a massive hit because of Covid19 and Lockdowns.

You can see that. So can I. We all know that stuff. It is clearly tough.

Indeed an increase in violence on the roads and in neighbourhoods is all clear to see for anyone.

It is very hard out there.

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Knowing all that then;

I humbly offer that it is not your response that has exemplified the

LORDSHIP OF CHRIST JESUS, 

SEEKING FIRST THE KINGDOM OR 

PRAYING ABOUT EVEYTHING.

I know for sure it has been other Christians doing that.

Other Christians just keep preaching God's word. They keep praising and worshipping. They keep singing, they keep praying, they stay devoted to study of God's Word.

They have done this EVERY DAY Of The Week. They have turned their churches in to Food Warehouses. They have rolled up their sleeves and have sent out food packs across our vulnerable communities.

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Finally, I offer this.

The Apostle Paul like you faced Charges and was sent to Prison.

But Apostle Paul did NOT face Prison for decrying Rome, Rome's idolatry, Rome's Emperor Worship, Rome's Immorality or anything else. Apostle Paul had not whipped protest against Imperial Rome. Apostle Paul did not organise calculated Civil disobedience against Caesar.

Apostle Paul faced prison because he believed in, prayed to and preached about Jesus.

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Brian, you hold a special biblical title.

I do not know if you have honoured the title of Apostle.

I also do not believe you have honoured those Apostles in the Bible before you, who were called by Jesus Christ.

I pray, you come back to Faith.

2021's Political Rejects

In the 2020 Election, Hannah Tamaki got a distant 3rd place in the race to win a seat in Parliament.

Her party only got 0.1% of the Party vote overall.

In the same Election, Sue Grey came a pitiful 6th place in her race for a seat in Parliament.

Her party also only got 0.1%  overall.

Worse yet in their Electorate races, for their parties;

Hannah's Party got 7th place,

While Sue's Party got 10th.

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An utterly dismal showing.

They barely even make anything of a blip even in fringe Politics, either in their regions or across the country.

Even calling them Political lightweights does not dignify that term.

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In 2021, media only scoff at either of them, while most voters barely give them even a third thought.

They might be making some noises here and there but it is clear that our only reaction to either of them is at our kindest dismissal or at our most brutally honest, complete disdain.

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I can't even call them "The bottom of the political barrel" that would say that they might one day get up and out....

No... Politically, they died along time ago, were buried, concreted over... pallets stacked on top....

And then there are barrels.

DESTINY CHURCH PLANS ANTI GOVERNMENT - ANTI LOCKDOWN DEMONSTRATIONS

Led by  Brian Tamaki, Destiny Churches are planning Anti Government Demonstrations.

The Protests are planned for early October in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

It is also believed that they plan Demonstrations in other locations.

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In a recent Facebook Live, Tamaki draws comparison with similar demonstrations in Melbourne.

Those demonstrations  are reported to have shut down roads and highways in Melbourne.

Using a slick advertising Campaign, minors as young as 14 are being encouraged to "Get Arrested" and be put in handcuffs.

The Demonstrators are also hoping to deceive Police using Propaganda.

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The Demonstrations are in protest against Covid-19 Lockdowns used to stop the spread of the deadly virus.

Special Leave (Siginicant Religious Or Significant Cultural Event)

 

Below is an email that I just sent to MP Princa Radhakrishnan

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Te Rata Hikairo

Wed 11/11/2020 11:16 PM

To:

•  priyanca@parliament.govt.nz

Tena Koe Priyanca

DIWALI AS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY

I write to you, first unsure if you are aware of the call for Diwali to become a Public Holiday on New Zealand.

I wish to express that although, I could see myself finding enjoyment in it, I am unsure if there is a wide appetite amongst the Wider New Zealand Public for this. And if it was even widely consulted on, I quite frankly fear that it may elevate Anti-Hindu sentiments that may be latent in some sectors of our Society.

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As such, something that MIGHT ACTUALLY get more support is a bill that

• Created (If it is not yet already explicitly stated in the Law) a type of paid leave, where someone can go to attend an event of Significant Religious Or Significant Cultural significance for them
• Possibly that a fund be created to support this
• A provision in that Bill that an Employer might maybe even be able to apply to that fund, the purpose of which would be to reimburse a percentage of the wage they'd pay that day, but only if the Employer suffered a loss for paying that wage
  

The rationale for Employers being that;

If an Employer takes care of the Wellbeing of the Employee then the Employee is going to be more productive overall.

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Anyone that attended a Diwali function for example, would need only to take a Diwali Celebration Invitation that then gets attached to their leave application as evidence, so they can they be paid while still attending.

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AGAIN, Only if this or something like this DOES NOT Yet exist in the Law, would it need to be written up and Proposed.

It could also of course be used too, by Sikhs for Vaisakhi and Muslims for Eid. But also, things that specific Iwi even celebrate that others might not, they too, could also see benefit in a bill like this. So it could end up benefitiing an even wider range of people.

Potentially, a person might even be eligible for maybe 3 - 5 days (that can be consulted on)....

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But yes, I see this as a Great Compromise that might get a greater uptake by people and get the support of a wider cross section of New Zealanders.

TeRata Rangi Boldy

Allaying our fears about Billy Te Kahika

Yes this is a rare post. I have not done one in a while. YES, It is Political.

Moving away from my usual blog-based stance of leaving things for voters to decide... I HAVE TO TAKE A STANCE.... AND I feel a need to publicize it. I have sometimes done this before, like in 2016 when I made a video expressing disappointment at the Election of Donald J. Trump. So yes. sometimes in extreme cases I DO give my own Political Opinion.

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And I feel obliged to do so here too. 

I am a Te Tai Tokerau voter in 2020.

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I want to use data to reassure voters in Te Tai Tokerau but also ACROSS New Zealand.

I believe that like me, many are worried about NZPP Leader, Billy Te Kahika being elected. Everyone has their own reasons. Mine are thus; His views are NOT Just extreme but dangerous, not just the peddling of conspiracies but widely promoting civil unrest.

I can NOT in good faith ever lend my support to something like that. Some argue that even mentioning it fuels the fire and I myself am aware of that. This very post may even be attacked by him and his followers. I accept that.

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I just need to say before I go on that this post is NOT aimed at them or him. They can say what they wish.

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MY POST HERE is for the thousands of people who fear Billy Te Kahika being elected.

And we are right to fear this. I believe that he is more extreme that Pauline Hanson and may even be more extreme than Donald Trump. He is the most extreme candidate I have ever known of in New Zealand. He is not a danger to the quote unquote 'establishment'. HE IS A DANGER to our Peace, to our Safety and to our very liberty. All of us ought to be concerned at his rise in Social media popularity. And before I go on.... there is merit is being annoyed at some things.. undoubtedly. BUT Billy's version and style of fight... seek to promote unrest and discord in the very fabric of what it means to be peace loving New Zealanders.

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Enough rhetoric... here are my assertions based on facts.

First off;

BILLY TE KAHIKA IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY TO BE ELECTED TO PARLIAMENT IN THE 2020 GENERAL ELECTION.

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The New Zealand Public Party is NOT Registered. Neither are they listed as a component Party of Advance New Zealand. As far as I know then, New Zealand Public Party can't be elected to Parliament based on the Party Vote as they can not contest it.

Also in terms of Advance New Zealand, the facts are that votes for them in terms of Electoral Law are only for them, NOT the New Zealand Public Party.

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I believe this is so because the 'merger' has not been registered with the Electoral Commission either. And so again, no one can Party vote New Zealand Public Party. And Party votes from Advance New Zealand stay with Advance New Zealand. 

Further to this, even if the 2 do publicize a combined list, it won't elect Kahika as he is not Advance New Zealand but New Zealand Public Party. I may not be accurate but I am quite sure I am.

This means too then that in the highly unlikely event of Jami-Lee Ross winning Botany in 2020, it will not bring in Billy Te Kahika in accordance with the well founded but important technicality of Electoral Law. As far as I understand, even in that unlikely event, Billy not being a member of Advance New Zealand or any (non existent) component Parties thereof, can not use the 'tailing' rule to be Elected.

Again, this is just assumption but it is well founded. The precedent I base this on, is the 2014 case of InternetMANA. They actually did register together for their merger and they did thus contest a 'combined' Party vote. But of course they COULD NOT do so (or place any Electoral hopes therein at the time) without taking that initial step of registering together.

In this 2020 case of Advance New Zealand and New Zealand Public Party the well-publicized 'merger' is neither registered nor binding on the Electoral Commission as the legal work in terms of Party registration has not taken place. Sidenote, Advance New Zealand has also not yet published any Party Constitution. This though would ultimately be of no consequence, because even if their Constitution makes allowance for NZPP, New Zealand Law does NOT. 

So, in summary, Billy Te Kahika can't use the coat tailing rule EVEN IF the unlikely happens and Jami-Lee Ross is elected in the Botany Seat in 2020.

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THE OTHER Way that Billy Te Kahika seeks to be elected is as the MP for Te Tai Tokerau. 

Unequivocally I can say in all the History of MMP, Te Tai Tokerau Voters have NEVER Elected MPs who did not have their own Party Registered.

In 1996, Tau Henare's Party was registered. From 1999 to 2002, Dover Samuel's Party was a registered Party. From 2005 to 2011, Hone Harawira's Parties were registered. In 2014 and 2017, Kelvin Davis's Party was a registered Party.

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Further, a note on that Incumbent vote for Kelvin Davis, his 2014 Majority was 743. In 2017, Kelvin Davis's majority increased to 4807.

I see it is as highly unlikely that Kelvin Davis loses in Te Tai Tokerau. Only time will tell.

Of course though, I see it as even MORE unlikely that he'd lose the Te Tai Tokerau Seat to Billy Te Kahika. 

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So again... Billy Te Kahika can't even contest and thus not be elected on the Party Vote (he may change it later, but we'll pray that they do not).

And of course standing in Te Tai Tokerau, he is unlikely to get second place, let alone first.

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Nothing is impossible. 

But the data for me is clear. 

BILLY TE KAHIKA, LEADER OF NZPP IS NOT LIKELY TO BE ELECTED AS A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT IN THE 2020 GENERAL ELECTION.

That does NOT mean that we don't take him any less seriously... I am saying we MUST TAKE HIM SERIOUSLY.... And the way to do so is to vote accordingly.

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This blog post is Authorized by me. 

Maori Party stands again in Te Tai Tokerau for 2020

In a press release, Facebook and Instagram post, the Maori Party announced their candidate for the 2020 Election.

At this point, I'm not seeking to promote any particular candidate over any others at this stage.

As I tend to do though in my entries, I'll post up the numbers for people to see.

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Quick Look at

Political Stats for Te Paati Maori in the Electorate of Te Tai Tokerau

Year	Candidate Votes	Party Votes	Win/Lose
2005	9,965	6,151	Win
2008	12,019	6,204	Win
2011	3,114	2,208	Lose
2014	2,579	2,300	Lose
2017	-	1615	-
2020	?	?	?

Source: https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/

Image Credit: https://www.parliament.nz/

NB: In terms of my own vote and politics this year, I am living in the Te Tai Tokerau Electorate and as of writing, remain somewhat undecided.

Issues at the Heart of the Campaign

TeRata Boldy

Any commentator on the campaign run for the Counties Manukau DHB, knows that as my first campaign, it’s a great undertaking. A lot is being learnt on the go.

One of the things I have learnt is how critical it is to 1. Remain Humble, 2. Have the Campaign be about the Health Issues facing Counties Manukau, nothing else.

The first 1, for any aspiring ‘politician’ is probably the hardest. That’s because the game of politics, sadly involves a lot of, politicking. The thing that makes humility slightly easier though is when one realizes that the objects of said politicking are indeed as human as one self. And thus, if we are all people, all human, it is far greater that in honour of that humanity that we focus on that which holds us up, that which is important to each of us no matter where we stand on this or that issue.

Further, if mistakes have been made or regrets accumulated in the course of a campaign (or in my case campaigns, as in, afew regrets have been accumulated over a couple of campaigns and the last 18+ months) then it is time to mitigate those regrets by returning to THAT positivity that I captivated Party audiences with at my Candidate Selection.

It is time Now to share THAT Passion with the public also. The public not only deserves but expects that I would focus solely on the issues that are important to them.

As a candidate, it is the Health Issues facing Counties Manukau. As a Maori candidate, it is those issues facing Maori health in this region;

It is my hope that in standing for the Counties Manukau DHB, I can highlight these issues but also that I can help in being a voice for Maori on the DHB. Statistics for Maori in Counties Manukau are not great in terms of Health. In 2015, Maori were 66% more likely to get cancer than Non Maori. In 2013 Maori were 2.5 times more likely to be admitted for Mental Health issues. The same period saw Maori having 27% higher hospitalisations than Non Maori.

Therefore going forward, however late in the piece, and candidly, in the view that it is about putting great people forward for the DHB, (people who focus on Counties Manukau Health), I will from now focus fairly and squarely on the issues in this Election.

THOSE Issues demand, and the people suffering at home or in hospital beds demand that I make them the center.

I am blessed with the privilege of good health and holistic wellbeing, the least I can do is use THAT privilege in whatever time I have in this Campaign to actually raise my voice properly and make a real difference.

To be frank, at this stage, it may or may not earn me a seat on the DHB, but as God as my witness, I am going to do things right from now on, because the people deserve this.

Thank you all.