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.

Labour Values in Local Government

There is this idea that 'Big Party Politics should stay out of Local Government'. That idea is usually pushed by pushed by people who are Anti-Labour. 

Labour Candidates tend to be attacked by their opponents for 'Being Labour'. The irony is that those same opponents, generally don't say that they themselves are Anti-Labour or that they vote for or support Groups and Parties who are also Anti-Labour (C&R and National. National and Auckland Future etc etc).
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This quick blog entry, seeks to expose that idea as folly.
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Not just as a Candidate, but as a person, as a citizen of this nation, I am proud to be Labour, As a resident, I am proud to be Labour.
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Those who attack Labour, attack core values that many if not ALL New Zealanders can be proud of;

* Political Authority comes from, Universal, Regular and Free Democratic Elections.
* Natural Resources belong to all and should be managed for the benefit of all.
* We are all equal. No matter our cultural, economic, social, or legal background and nobody should be held back because of who they are.
* We should ensure that working together is what drives the local economy and that wealth should be justly distributed.
* All people deserve respect and dignity.
* Anyone can own wealth or property but is is people and justice for all that is most important.
* The Treaty Of Waitangi Should be honoured by Local Government, By Society and By Families.
* Local Communities need to promote Peace and Social Justice.

* Local Government should protect the rights of people, no matter their race, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religious faith, political belief or disabilities.

RFT AND SOUTH AUCKLAND

Take a look at this link which uses official Council Sources
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Stopping the RFT, Also puts a hold on

The Following Projects for South Auckland;

$266 Million Bus Priority Improvements

$163 Million Bus Infrastructure Improvements

$68 Million Airport Access Improvements

$63 Million Park and Ride Improvements

$396 Million Electric Train Improvements

$552 Million to Save Lives through Road Safety

$342 Million Active Transport Improvements

$508 Million Mill Road Corridor

$296 Million for Network Capacity

$300 Million Transport Growth

TOTAL 2954 MILLION LOST if the RFT is gone

Responding to him

This is probably the last ever untouched space where I can freely express in public, but the irony is that this just isn't read enough. Nonetheless, I at least get a response out on public record.
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I'm told over and over again, DON'T RESPOND TO HATE from Political Opponents.
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But what am I to do, when it comes from one that;

1. I've actually worked with
2. Actually respected in the past
3. Actually voted for in the past
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Yeah, that's a tough one.

Timeline:

2013-2014 First met him (may be earlier)

2015 Joined his Facebook Group

2016 - Voted for him
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Alongside THIS, there were people in his team who were also meeting me, working with me, having me support them too and we were all working together all along.

Even 2016 and beyond we were working together. I voted for that him and HIS WHOLE TEAM in 2016.
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In 2017 I believe, remembering all our work, photos, meetings... and everything over the previous 3 years given that him and his team were  local funders (local Government) I applied for community funding for a community event.

As far as I was concerned, I "dotted every i" and "crossed every t". I know that because I was working with OTHER community minded people that knew him and his team.
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WELL..... How wrong I was.

I was crushed when my funding application was rejected. I took it personally. I was dumbfounded.

How is it, after all that work together, meetings, support, team meetings, community stuff... HOW??

How was I now rejected by people that I saw as "Leaders in my community".
I'd not done ANYTHING wrong up to that point. I'd never said anything against them up to that point. In fact, the opposite, I was proud of our photos together, our work, our meetings... all of it. I still am proud that up to this point (when I was rejected).... I had been (I believed) respected. They worked with me (up to this point).

Mid 2017....

I went sad. I remained so...

HOW did they reject me?

WHY did they reject me??
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I went through a huge period of self doubt and worry.

In fact, ever since myself and my relationship to this leader and his team has NEVER fully recovered.

I STILL feel rejected and despised by them.
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Today, 2 years later in 2019... It's been hard.... we went from friends 3 years ago... to opponents today.

They say I'm an 'attacking troll'....
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They say I'm a troll...

But what about all our past photos? Our newspaper articles? The captions and positive comments?
What about our meetings? What about all that's we've PREVIOUSLY DONE together??
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I DON'T Even care that the good ideas I shared with them have freely been used and the good work we did together is still used today... because why... because my heart is THAT Big and that open.
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I'm NOT some attacking troll...

I'm someone, that was rejected by people I trusted and I looked up to.
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This man and his team has my trust, had my confidence, had my belief...

NOW After being rejected by them (to this day, I'm not told WHY I'd been rejected by them)

NOW I just feel used and abused.

Do I regret my anger between 2017 and now.. OF COURSE...

Do I regret and feel remorse for what's taken place (including that which has had me be called a troll) YES!!!!
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Worse though, between a rock and a hard place I feel torn as I'm supposed to NOT CARE about people attacking me... and you know what... after publishing this blog entry... I'm going to attempt to give it NO MORE attention or Oxygen.

I'm told I'm supposed to 'rise above the hate'.. and this blog entry is the beginning of the healing... after this it all ends.... no more trolling or anything... I'll do my best...

I will keep positive...

BUT I'll always be confused deep down... or rather I'll probably never know WHY my 'community leaders' rejected me.

I'm allowed to be human....I'm allowed to have feelings... this is how I feel right now....

Ironically as soon as I push 'Publish' it'll all go away and I will likely feel alot better.

I pray for me. I pray for them. I pray for my community.

Waatea Interview about Brian Tamaki's Apology and an opinion about the Kohanga Reo Funding Increase

Here is a translation of an Interview I did this week;
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* Audio Introduction for Waatea's Show, Manako
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Host: Well everyone, we've only just heard from Tunuiarangi Mclean about a recent event held in Mangere, a family friendly event related to Health for Maori. Let's turn now to our next topic/s. There are 2 that we'll speak about, myself and our guest who joins us on the phone, will discuss, Firstly Brian Tamaki's apology to the Gay Community, we'll look at whether or not it was a sincere, heartfelt apology. TeRata Hikairo joins us on the phone. Good Evening TeRata.

TeRata: Good Evening, Greetings.

Host: Greetings. Straight to the topic, that I've just explained. Talking about Brian Tamaki. We'll also talk about 'The Budget', and the funding given by the Government to Kohanga Reo.
First off, Brian Tamaki who has now started to set up a new political Party and he has also now apologised to the Gay Community after what he has been saying to the nation (about the Gay community). My first question; What do you think, where do these (apologies) come from.

TeRata: Sorry, I don't know the Maori word for 'Political Expediency'.  Sorry

Host: Thats OK.

TeRata: Although, what he (Brian) really wants is to increase votes (for his Party). Increasing votes is the reason. All to get votes. We in the Gay Community, don't believe his apologies (sincerity). We don't remotely believe it. That's based on what Rainbow Youth did. They (Rainbow Youth) said what they thought of 2 (people from the Gay community) that attended the Church's event (where the 'apology' took place). We are told that the church gave a donation to those 2. Those 2 thought that they'd donate that money to Rainbow Youth. But, Rainbow Youth refused that donation, based on (Brian Tamakis) who has been verbally abuse for many years. And what he says is not just mere words, he blamed the Gay Community for the EARTHQUAKES. He blamed us as the Gay community for the Earthquakes. So I can not believe this (apology). He just wants to get votes. Listen to THAT Jevan Goulter.

Host: Yes, I agree because many others have said about his verbal abuse to the Gay Community and how they too are also saying that Brian Tamaki is just trying to get votes.

Now...

TeRata: Sorry, just to add to that, I feel used.WHO Is Brian Tamaki to use my own community. You know, our community have been the subject of discrimination for a long time and then he goes and uses us like this, use people like this. And why? FOR HIMSELF. For his own votes only. There's no sincerity.

Host: Yes. I not only agree with that, I support what you say there.

TeRata: Thank you.

Host: And also, a perspective to add is how when these kinds of verbal abuse are (directed at people)
how that can affect Mental Health..

TeRata: And lead to suicide.

Host: Yes, Suicide. And there have been examples of that tragedy of suicide. And so, when that kind of abuse gets hurled and definitely leads to those kinds of consequences, right?

TeRata: Thanks for (recognising and) supporting that.

Host: If we move now to our next topic..

TeRata: Yes, Thank you.

Host: As indeed THAT one is quite emotionally charged for both of us, as indeed that topic would do for many people. So now let's look at to 'The Budget' and funding for Kohanga Reo, a nice topic. Kohanga Reo which uplift and support our language.  Our Government have really looked at this, What are your thoughts about this budget?

TeRata: I really acknowledge the Government. Y' know, I've only just returned from the North, my home. I reside in Auckland (but the North is my home). So, I've just returned (to Auckland). As I stand in my marae, I can actually see a very old building. What is that building? Well 25+ years ago, that was my Kohanga Reo. Therefore, it is from there that I draw thoughts (on this topic).  Indeed 25 years ago, I and many others who've now graduated Kohanga Reo, these graduates of Kohanga Reo are NOW, the great young leaders of the modern Maori World. Therefore, this well thought out Government funding for Kohanga Reo. It honours Te Reo Maori to be able to thrive, and for us, for all Maori to thrive. I therefore honour this funding and it's provision. BUT,
Waatea have rung me at the very time I'm still working at School. I'm a High School Teacher. And as I speak to you, I'm pacing our staffroom. I'm working hard here, I may be here till 5 or 6 o clock, at least 3 hours after the students have left. We teachers are still waiting. High School, Wharekura, Kura Kaupapa and Primary School Teachers are still waiting. So, while I love and am happy with the provision for Kohanga Reo whanau, but the majority of us teachers who are in Secondary and Primary we are still waiting. Hey Government we want help too please.

Host: Yes, a very relevant point there. From Kohanga Reo through to the Teachers, there is so much analysis on their issues. and so I certainly hear your concerns (in that regard) and to all the other topics (related). And indeed we really truly acknowledge (the teachers), as we look at their work. I really do hear you.

TeRata: Yes, alot. We have a lot of work. We must really look at this. Not just the Government. Its also the wider community that evaluate us all the time, the same for the (students) families. Undoubtedly when whanau have concerns they come, absolutely they come and ask 'whats happening with my child?' Things like that. Yes, we face alot. Our backs are almost broken now. Obviously though we really care for the families. Thats the very reason, that we put so many hours in to this job, and give more hours to our job than we do to our families. My family at home are still waiting for me. But I am here, putting in an effort for who? For who, for the work, for who, for the students. So we ask the community and for the whanau to think of us too.

Host: I really acknowledge you and for your work TeRata. Time has now run out for us tonight.

TeRata: Thank you. Thanks everyone.

Host: I hope that my relation Willie Jackson is listening, but my friend, Thank you for giving your thoughts on our topics tonight, for everyone. Thanks again

TeRata: Very well, Thank You. Good Night.

Host: Good Night. Well everyone, thats TeRata Hikairo giving his thoughts on the 2 topics tonight. But I'd say we actually discussed 3 topics tonight. We really looked at them and so I acknowledge him for his thoughts and depth of analysis given to Manako tonight. I acknowledge TeRata Hikairo. I'll soon speak to a leader of Ngati Raukawa, Paraone Gloyne about 'Taringa'. Keep listening everyone.