Seymour says Māori have nothing to fear as he takes over Deputy PM – evidence suggests otherwise

David Seymour has told the NZ Herald’s Kaupapa Māori Editor, Joseph Los’e, that Māori have nothing to fear when he takes over as Deputy Prime Minister from Winston Peters on May 31st.

Evidence would suggest that simply isn’t true.

This Government is currently embarking upon the Regulatory Standards Bill which will allow corporate interests to ensure private property rights are considered above human rights when law is being passed.

The Waitangi Tribunal has called for it to be immediately stopped because of the damage it will cause the Treaty.

This Government is attempting to remove the Treaty from all legislation, which again obviously damaged Māori.

This Government is reviewing the very Tribunal itself in an attempt to limit their power.

And let’s not forget ACTs last attack on the treaty in the form of the Treaty Principles Referendum, that in of itself has been damaging enough without adding these other issues.

Put this alongside taking $12billion out of the pockets of the poorest workers (many who are Māori women) to give directly to bosses as well as the cruel new welfare sanctions and deep cuts to emergency housing – all of which impact Māori disproportionately.

David says to Joseph Los’e that,  “There are people who try to paint me as anti-Māori, despite me being Māori”, which is a remarkably flexible position to take that sees him use his identity when it protects him from criticism that he is being anti-Māori.

David Seymour certainly is Māori, of that there can be no doubt, but his harsh libertarian extreme social policy is most certainly anti-Māori as much as it is anti-beneficiary and anti-egalitarian!

Many whanau are simply holding on by their fingernails with the ongoing cost of living crisis and those who have economic mobility are fleeing to Australia. 

Those who are left behind are increasingly being hurt by this Government’s mean spirited policies.

David Seymour can assure us that Māori have nothing to fear from him becoming Deputy Prime Minister, but the evidence suggests otherwise.