With so many economic and social concerns facing New Zealand it is truly alarming how disconnected to reality much of
our news has become.
The tardy COVID vaccine rollout, shootings and violent crime becoming a daily event, our belated response to exiting New
Zealanders and refugees from Afghanistan, the health and housing crisis, to name just a few, have recently been detoured
by a businessman’s comments about sports people needing to recognise all of their heritage, not just part of it.
Scores of attitude police and identity zealots have rushed to judge racism without the evidence to back their wokish
moralising. The truth as always, is found in fact not fiction.
Troy Bowker, businessman, has over the years donated millions of dollars to charities, many directly benefiting Māori
and Pacific Communities. Such as funds for victims of crime, a large number being Māori and Pacific families, funds to
low decile primary schools with huge Māori and Pacific rolls, and a Foundation to assist players with career ending
injuries such as Michael Fatialofa, who sadly broke his back playing professional rugby.
If one was to question how much his critics have given to such causes, regardless of the ethnicity of beneficiaries, in
most cases the answer would be a deafening silence.
Many of us have a mixed heritage. Almost all of us are proud of it. So let’s stop the carping, cynical bulldust and
accept that being “Kiwi” includes anyone born here, or proud to live here, regardless of ethnicity.
Only then can we hope to see social cohesion overcome social disintegration which some for their own morbid hedonistic
purpose portray in their hymns of hate.