Willie Jackson, Minister for Māori Development, recently professed that David Seymour, the leader of the Act Party, is quite possibly the most perilous man in the country. According to Jackson, Seymour’s potential rise to power bodes ill for the future of not just the Māori people, but the nation as a whole.
Expounding on his claim, Jackson asserted that Seymour’s supposedly Trump-like rhetoric harbours an anti-Māori sentiment, potent enough to eradicate decades of Māori progress virtually overnight. His comments followed a somewhat heated political debate that took place recently in Auckland.
Jackson addressed the Māori, advising caution due to a potential National-Act Government. He fears such a regime could fundamentally endanger the Māori identity and demolish what the Māori hold precious. He cites Seymour’s articulate demeanor and polished presentation as distracting factors that belie his underlying intentions.
Jackson further criticised Seymour’s objections to virtually every ruling from High and Supreme Court justices since 1987. Seymour has also publicly expressed distrust towards every former New Zealand Prime Minister who advocated for a Māori-Crown partnership. Not only does Seymour dismiss such partnerships as nonsensical, he also advocates for a complete restructuring of the Treaty. He wants to reframe the Māori history and rights, a move reminiscent of Donald Trump’s abrasive politics.
Seymour, however, refutes Jackson’s proclamations, arguing that Jackson is notorious for overstatement. Denying charges of racism, Seymour asserts that he has never promoted racial discrimination. He ironically points out that there’s criticism of favouritism in Government policies towards the Māori and Pacific peoples, despite the evidence of their impressive individual successes.
Following the debate, Seymour reached out to correct perceived misunderstandings, discrediting Jackson for inaccurate statements about the Act Party policies, and sarcastically comparing his behaviour to that of Donald Trump. He also pointed out that Jackson’s own organisation had applied to operate a charter school under the National government, contrary to his warning about a potential National-Act government.
Seymour also pointed out that Jackson spent the entirety of the debate scrutinising the Act party instead of focusing on his own party activities.
Despite Seymour’s objections, Jackson has not backed down. He compares Seymour’s strategies to those of Trump, who rose to power via divisive, inflammatory politics. Last but not least, Jackson maintains that Seymour rejects Māori’s Treaty-derived rights, a position that sets him apart from any other senior political figures from the past 30 years.
In conclusion, Jackson urges the Māori people to exercise their voting rights to prevent Seymour and his proclaimed anti-Māori politics from gaining power.