PEE KAY: They Need Saving From Themselves

Two venerable and time-honoured social service providers of New Zealand seem to have decided that the way forward for their organisations is to raise their banner firmly behind those of the belief that Maori are a down trodden class, that Maori in New Zealand have been so terribly disadvantaged by colonisation they now must be dispensed with advantages no other race can access!

I have to wonder if these organisations have stopped to consider that their stance may be at odds with their founding principles and, more importantly, detrimental to their ability to “tap the public purse” as public donations make for a significant percentage of their respective incomes?

The latest one of these social service providers turned keepers of our social conscience to speak out about the “despicable” treatment meted out to Maori and condemn the government is the Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army was established in London in 1865 by one William Booth, an English Methodist preacher and his wife Catherine. This Christian movement has a quasi-military structure and Booth became its first “General”. In 1890 Booth published his major social manifesto, ‘In Darkest England and the Way Out’. He explored various far-reaching ideas, such as providing hostels, employment centres and helping young men learn agricultural trades

Established in New Zealand on April 1, 1883 the Salvation Army is one of the oldest charities in New Zealand. The organization was established to provide social services and religious ministry, particularly in response to an economic depression and the hardships faced by many at that time.

Last year the Salvation Army received $25.6m in donations, legacies and bequests.

Well known social commentator, Lindsay Mitchell recently wrote an article regarding the Salvation Army State of the Nation Report. She lamented the way in which the “2026 Salvation Army State of the Nation Report” revealed for all to see, the Salvation Army has officially converted to wokeism by their repeated conviction of Maori victimisation through colonisation and the reiterated excuses for Maori over-representation in poor social statistics. https://lindsaymitchell.blogspot.com/

“The over representation of Māori tamariki and rangatahi in state care reflects the enduring impacts of colonisation and breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi…”

“…the lasting impacts of colonisation that dismantled Māori economic autonomy through land alienation and resource loss, creating enduring disadvantage.”

To me it is yet another example of division being created between sectors of society. The question is, who is behind it, what is driving it?

Do all those in these organisations truly believe the spurious commentary that Maori have been irreparably damaged by colonisation and are now so impaired that welfare is their only option?

Acting as an apologist for the rest of country the report despairs that – “Drinking to cope with stress, gambling for hope or relying on high-cost credit are not failures, they are survival strategies…” are the only options for Maori!

An objective report might just have included the words PERSONAL CHOICES!

The fact remains that ‘the great unwashed’ are being provided with yet another falsehood causing resentment of ‘white’ New Zealanders and thereby disintegration of society.

The report also states – “Today, despite the Māori economy contributing billions to the New Zealand economy,…” Now this statement deserves greater investigation. Surely that claim is just as stupid as claiming the moon is made of green cheese!

It is widely and proudly reported in all sections of the MSM that the Maori economy is worth around $126 billion. But hang on, the financial catalyst, the basis of this economy or seed capital for this $126 billion, modern Māori economy, is derived from treaty settlements. Treaty settlements, that still continue today, paid for by you and I, the taxpayer!

And don’t forget a large chunk of the income, somewhere in the region of 33%, from their $126 billion economy is channelled through charitable trusts.

These business structures that make up the Maori economy are, in the main, registered as charitable trusts. Maori incorporations will tell you they are only “tax efficient” to allow for reinvestment in social, cultural, and commercial projects.

A cynical person could be accused of thinking “charitable status” might just be for the purpose of avoiding income tax?

The St Johns Ambulance is a national social service provider that could be called “a ground breaker” in the field of charitable wokeism!

The history of St Johns dates back almost 1000 years to when a hospital was established in Jerusalem by a group of monks. Its purpose was to care for the many pilgrims who had become ill on their travels to the Holy Land.

Known as the Hospitallers, they cared for anyone, without distinction of race or faith. They became known as the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem.

The symbol of the Order, the eight-pointed cross, the Maltese Cross, was worn on the robes of those first Brother Knights in the hospital in Jerusalem, and it has remained unaltered through the centuries, as an enduring emblem of humanitarian care.

The symbol may remain but just as the make, size, colour and facilities onboard St John ambulances have changed radically, so too has the culture of St John been radically transformed.

In fact, the culture has changed to what seems to be a very imbalanced focus on Maori health, you could be excused for thinking the Human Rights Commission had written St John’s “cultural handbook”.

A few years ago, one of my mailing group expressed his dismay to St John. “I contacted St John recently as to adopting the preferred Māori title appearing FIRST with their Website and communications – simply saying that Hato Hone had nothing to do with Māori ‘per se’ and that it was ridiculous for NZ to adopt an unknown Māori title.”

The response from St John was that “We recognise Māori as the founding race in this country, and we will be keeping this Māori title.” The “Health Equity for Maori” section on their website is an eye opener. https://www.stjohn.org.nz/about-st-john/health-equity-for-maori/

“Our investment in cultural competency and safety will help to nurture our ability across the organisation to navigate and uphold a Te Ao Māori world view.”

“A Te Ao Māori worldview takes a holistic view of health and offers a fresh perspective on tackling health inequities. A Te Ao Māori perspective views everything in life as connected. Health can’t be separated from the wider social, emotional, physical, cultural, and spiritual aspects of each person. This is at the heart of our Aka strategy and helps guide us when co-designing potential solutions with iwi Māori.”

“The inequities experienced by Māori in our health system are not new and the systems and processes required to access health services in Aotearoa have not helped.”

“We are also working with tribes to reduce barriers preventing Kaumatua from dialling 111 in an emergency.”

Doesn’t this sort of drivel imply Maori are incompetent and indicate that Maori seem to need help and support in just about every field of life. I say it is demeaning to Maori.

It would be a refreshing change if, instead of hiding behind excuses, those demanding more state support set about initiating some personal responsibility programmes rather than blaming the situation entirely on external factors. It’s time we traded excuses for accountability. Instead of blaming the system, recipients of state largess should shoulder some personal responsibility for their choices!

I certainly endorse Lindsay Mitchell’s final comment – “In the face of this report the best response the government could make is to defund the Salvation Army for being part of the problem.”

You can’t save others from themselves, because those who make a perpetual “balls up” of their lives don’t appreciate your interfering with the theatre that is their lives. They want your sympathy, they want your welfare but they don’t want to change.”

Pee Kay writes at No Minister