Luxon Waitangi Day + Hosking Interview

A lot has been made of the Hosking and Luxon interview. Headlined as a “Train Wreck”. True it was something of a revealing spectacle. I don’t know how many long form interviews he has given in recent times. Maybe not many as his weaknesses should have been revealed before today.

Three weeks ago he gave a speech to the Ngai Tahu gathering on Waitangi Day. I tracked down a copy of the speech and was appalled at the grovelling salesman type language used. It turned out to be collection of overblown clichés and slogans. Obviously the speech writer knew inside out the type of language preferred by Luxon.

This prompted me to write to Luxon, to get a point across that he needs to come down to earth. Maybe he needs a new speech writer. I listed the clichés for him.

Here is what I sent in the email. Copied to Winston Peters, David Seymour and Shane Jones. No responses yet, apart from the standard Thank you for contacting etc…blah blah blah.

Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister

Dear Prime Minister

Regarding your Waitangi day speech. There are a couple of sentences/paragraphs in your Waitangi day speech which are found to be more than somewhat unnerving and disconcerting. I am having real issues in parsing this sentence:

“Iwi leaders and communities will continue to shape the political landscape with constructive partnerships that hold the Government accountable and work for the benefit of all.”

Iwi leaders and communities. You mean Iwi leaders and members of Maori communities. Communities: may be regarded as an utterly amorphous term. The term Iwi leaders and communities is used later in the speech, also in the context of Maori communities exclusively.

Shape the political landscape. The last time I checked in on this concept it was the total electorate which shaped the political landscape. Voters – do you remember who they are?

Constructive partnerships. Iwi leaders, in partnership with who? Certainly it seems not with the rest of the electorate.

Hold the Government accountable. Again it is the total electorate which holds Governments to account.

There are two other sentences which I cannot reconcile and to be honest I don’t believe you can either.

“The Government's role is to honour the Treaty, work in partnership with Māori…”

This does not reconcile with “Often that means making sure the government gets out of the way!” (your exclamation point).

You cannot walk on both sides of the street at the same time. I take all of this to mean National, maybe not the full coalition, is prepared to give Maori tribal leaders carte blanche and a blank cheque on all fronts.

Over all the speech reeks of hyperbole. Sickeningly so. No better than what might be expected at some glitzy corporate leadership retreat. The speech is riddled with clichés, tag lines and slogans. On a word count the clichés etc. comprise 12%, maybe more, of the speech.

For your benefit this is the list of clichés etc.

As I look around, many of you here today, crucial role, at the forefront, new era, enormous challenges, inspires us all, future is in very capable hands, deep significance, for our entire nation, here in this very place, unique crossroads, incredible journey, looking ahead to the future, forged in adversity, unwavering commitment, century of broken promises, you never gave up, And as many of you have said, tools to succeed, a tremendous force, driving change, a solid foundation, This is a clear example, paired with vision and determination, values and aspirations resonate, As we strive towards 2040, and key to that, Going for Growth, As I like to say, a lot less no and a lot more yes, projects on our Fast Track List, play a key role in the prosperity, I am proud, an important opportunity, move forward with more purpose, And who better to do that than a man from Ngai Tahu, We must do better, and we can do better, As we all know, challenges that lie ahead, That will continue under my government, As we look to the future, build bridges, demonstrated time and time again, long-term sustainability, a unique role to play, The road ahead is bright, continue walking it together, shoulder to shoulder.

Cheers

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