The way in which we as a country have
responded to coronavirus has reinforced what most of us always thought of
ourselves—that for the most part we are unified, considerate, kind and
pragmatic. We rise to a challenge, do what we are told (for the most part) and
just get on with the job of looking after ourselves and others.
Some will say that is no more no less than
most other countries are doing and unlike them we don’t have to contend with
common and porous borders. True, but in these days of modern transport, isolation
is not what it once was, but it is still enough to retain in us a sense of
self-preservation and resourcefulness that serve us well at times like these.
However, if coronavirus has brought out the
best in us, it has also uncovered some traits of ours that are less savoury.
At first, I thought Fryday should ignore
them. We are after all coming out of the most draconian of Levels Three and Four
restrictions and our focus now should be on rebuilding the country. But then I
thought that if we ignore what happened we are failing to learn from it. If we
simply sweep it under the carpet and forget about it, we have the very real
danger of it resurfacing again, strengthened this time by the very real power
of precedence.
I am talking about the illegal roadblocks
that sprung up during coronavirus. Whilst they have been little more than
inconvenient (to this point) and none of the forecast violence eventuated, they
are still illegal and could in time set a dangerous precedent, particularly
because of the Government’s failure to act on them.
The rationale for the roadblocks was
spurious to start with, so were the arguments in favour. We were told they were
set up to protect vulnerable communities. Why were “their” communities more
vulnerable (and valuable) than mine? Because they are largely Maori? Latest
figures showed that confirmed cases of Covid-19 among Maori are proportionately
far lower than any other New Zealand ethnic group. Whereas, by comparison my age
group, 70 and over, is demonstrably the most vulnerable.
It is not a question, in my argument, of
them and us. It is a question of putting things in perspective and at least
trying to recognise the truth as it pertains to the bigger picture.
And here we turn to chief organiser Hone
Harawira's motives. They are in my view not what they seem, or he espouses. He
will tell you that it is for the good of the community. Would not the case be
made for a more simplistic and superficial motive: Hone needs the attention? He
has been out of the limelight for so long that his now largely irrelevant. He
was going that way even when he was in politics. Many of his ideas are
outmoded, archaic and impractical--replaced by modern real-world ideas
promulgated by smart well-educated and visionary Maori.
Hone has nothing else to fall back other than
to find an issue, capitalise on it, stir up controversy and stand before the
cameras. In other words, do what he does best.
So why am I giving him space? Why not just
ignore him? Two reasons: ignoring him won’t make him go away. That would be
like ignoring coronavirus in the expectation that it gives up and goes home to
Wuhan. Better to put his motivation under scrutiny and have readers consider
him either relevant or ridiculous.
The second reason is a more important issue
here—precedent. Northland MP Matt King had it right when he refused an
invitation from Hone to visit a roadblock to see how it operated. Matt king
refused, asking what was the point? The
roadblock(s) could have been serving Devonshire teas (they weren’t) but they
are still illegal, and the failure of the Government to recognise that flouting
of the law by this or any sector of society is disgraceful.
And what next? What about after
coronavirus? Using the original argument of “good of the community” what if
Hone thinks, for example, that not enough is spent on the upkeep of local roads
or spent on social services? What is to stop him resurrecting roadblocks to extract
koha or donations to pay for such services? If the Government's lack of action and tacit approval is any guide, he can do so with impunity.
Far-fetched? Perhaps. But even if there is
a remote chance on this one we have already embarked down a rocky road.
