The New Zealand Maori Council has today asked the New Zealand Human Rights Commission to investigate the organisation
known as “Hobsons Pledge”. The resolution to seek the Human Rights Commission to intervene in what the council has
called a “racially charged and motivated group of men” was passed unanimously by the Sixteen Districts of the Council at
its national hui over the weekend. Matthew Tukaki, Executive Director of the Maori Council has said that Hobson’s Pledge
is nothing more than a divisive group of “haters” who would do nothing more than send us all back to the dark ages:
“Let’s be really clear here this group has been able to get away with anything they please when it comes to race
relations in this country and to be blunt; we are sick of it. Maori are sick of it. Don Brach and his cronies do nothing
more than seek to divide this nation off the back of their tired old man views and their position that it’s their way or
the highway.” Tukaki said
“That is, they the New Zealand Maori Council has asked the New Zealand Human Rights Commission to investigate the impact
that groups such as Hobsons Pledge has by furthering the fires of hate speech and the putting down of Maori and peoples
of color.” Said Tukaki
“We are further concerned that comments their leadership have made in public over many months constitutes the incitement
to both violence and racism, hate and the segregation of New Zealand society. As the first nations peoples of New
Zealand the Maori Council has a responsibility to ensure that our people feel safe and secure in their homes and
communities. We therefore call on the New Zealand Human Rights Commission to immediately begin an investigation into the
organisation known as “Hobsons Pledge” including a complete review of their public statements and policies. Of
additional note is our concern that this incitement not only affects Maori but also peoples of color, Asian New
Zealanders and the Polynesian community.” Tukaki said
“They may wear suits and drive around in late model expensive European cars; they may live in postcodes that many Maori
cannot afford and they may be able to holiday at their leisure – but they are nothing more than a gang of misfits that
seek to incite hate and divide the country - they should be held to account.” Tukaki said
“Don Brash is a tired man whose time has long past looking for relevancy – well it time we all made him and his little
group of buddies irrelevant.” Tukaki said