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| Dr Oliver Hartwich | Executive Director | oliver.hartwich@nzinitiative.org.nz | ||||||||||||
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Many New Zealanders may not know that our nation played a crucial role on this day. An estimated 10,000 New Zealanders supported the landings as pilots, crew members, and sailors in the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. They flew bombers, fired from warships, and steered landing craft onto the beaches of Normandy – all under heavy enemy fire. Although no New Zealand ground troops landed on 6 June, individual New Zealanders were involved from the start. In the following weeks and months, thousands of our soldiers fought for the liberation of France and the defeat of Nazi tyranny. The heroic efforts of New Zealanders and their Allied comrades-in-arms in Normandy laid the foundation for the West as we understand it today: a community of values and defence, standing up for the principles of liberty and human rights. Eighty years later, the West faces new challenges. Authoritarian regimes like Russia and China are challenging the rules-based world order, striving for dominance, and suppressing aspirations for freedom – sometimes by brute force, as Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine shows. At the same time, internal crises and self-doubt are shaking the pillars of a liberal democratic order. Now, even as Western values seem more contested than ever, New Zealanders should reflect on our nation’s role in defending the freedom and democracy. In today’s complex geopolitical landscape, standing with like-minded nations is essential for safeguarding the rules-based international order. New Zealand must be prepared to contribute to this effort, both diplomatically and, if necessary, militarily. Such preparedness requires strategic investments in our defence capabilities and strengthening partnerships with allies who share our commitment to the principles of liberty. While the world has undergone significant changes since 1944, the fundamental ideals that our soldiers fought for on D-Day remain the bedrock of our society. The principles of liberty and the rule of law are not merely abstract concepts; they are the foundation upon which our prosperity and security are built. This day should not just be about honouring the memory of D-Day veterans. It must also be about reaffirming our dedication to the values they upheld in the face of the threats to the pillars of a liberal democratic order in our time. |
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| Dr Bryce Wilkinson | Senior Fellow | bryce.wilkinson@nzinitiative.org.nz | ||||||||||||
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Media reports include allegations that confidential personal information collected during the 2023 census on behalf of Statistics New Zealand was illicitly copied for private benefit. To make the potential violation of trust worse, it is alleged that the information might have been used to facilitate the political campaign of an associated person. The candidate associated with the allegations was subsequently elected to parliament by a narrow majority. The media also report claims of inducements being offered to some, but not all, to fill in the census forms and to register on the Māori electoral roll. Most concerningly, one report claims that Statistics New Zealand and the Ministry of Social Development were warned at the time of these wrongdoings “but did not respond”. Why on earth not? Is New Zealand now a corrupt country? The whistleblowers’ claims are that hundreds of census forms were photocopied and retained by marae staff, with personal details entered into a database and sent to the Waipareira Trust, headed by Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere. This information was then allegedly used to target voters in the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate, where the Te Pāti Māori candidate narrowly won by just 42 votes. Whistleblowers also allege that voters were offered $100 supermarket vouchers, wellness packs or food parcels to induce them to complete census forms and enrolment forms to switch to the Māori roll. This week, those accused are variously denying wrong-doing, not responding, or counter-attacking with irrelevant claims. Statistics New Zealand is appointing an investigator. His terms of reference should include assessing whether Stats NZ was informed at the time. The Privacy Commissioner is looking into the allegations, too. The police may be. The Labour Party has laid a complaint with the Electoral Commission. Currently, these events have raised questions about the will of the responsible government agencies to guard the integrity of the population censuses, the commissioning of social work, and general election processes. To be warned of the alleged goings on and not to act would represent an appalling dereliction of duty. So did the whistleblowers warn them at the time, or not? And did they respond as they should have, or not? A public inquiry is needed if suspicion, doubt and anger are not to fester. |
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| Max Salmon | Research Fellow | max.salmon@nzinitiative.org.nz | ||||||||||||
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The nation is in shock following reports that former President of the USA, Donald Trump, is eyeing up New Zealand as a retirement option.
With the two-term limit on the American presidency due to kick in if he wins the coming election, the former host of NBC’s ‘The Apprentice’ is considering a quiet exit from politics as New Zealand’s premier. A source close to the Republican candidate understands his interest was piqued following recent news stories covering Aotearoa’s handling of allegations of election interference. Our reporter was able to speak with the Teflon Don over Zoom this week. He had glowing words for the recently-embroiled Te Pāti Māori. “I'm a huge fan, a tremendous fan, of what's going on in New Zealand. And let me just say, Te Pāti Māori, what a terrific group of people, really terrific. I mean, did you see what they did? Did you see? Incredible, just incredible. Allegations of breaching the trust of their communities and ignoring electoral laws to win votes. Those folks there are some people I can get behind, truly, really truly. Believe me, I know potential, and I see so much potential.” Trump, recently convicted for concealing payments to former adult film star Stormy Daniels in the run-up to the 2016 general election, has also faced charges of inciting sedition for his role in the storming of the US Capitol on January 6th. The Trump University founder was also effusive toward the electoral commission, who seem to have been aware of a plethora of serious complaints about Te Pāti Māori’s conduct in the 2023 election, yet had done very little to address these, or raise them with the responsible agencies. “Those people [the Electoral Commission], they're something else. They were warned about this, warned before the election, and they didn't do a thing. Can you believe it? They just let it happen! Those are my kind of people, the Electoral Commission. They don't get in the way, they don't interfere with a guy trying to make it big in the political world. They're smart, very smart.” Mr Trump had these final words for our reporter: "I'm telling you, I see a lot I like in New Zealand, I can see myself really settling into the place, it’s a very comfortable place. It's going to be beautiful, so beautiful, you won't even believe it. And I'll be there, I'll be winning elections again, because that's the kind of guy I am. I support winners, and New Zealand? They're winners, folks, big time winners.” |
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