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Today we are still fighting for Women's Rights
Sep 19, 2023
OPINION PIECE 19th September 2023
brian tamaki
Today marks the 130th anniversary of Women's Suffrage Day in New Zealand, a day when brave women, led by the indomitable Kate Sheppard, stood up and fought for their right to vote. It's a day to celebrate the progress we've made, but it's also a day to reflect on how far we still have to go. Because, unbelievably, in 2023, we find ourselves once again fighting for women's rights.
On October 14th, 2023, New Zealanders will head to the polls, and it's a pivotal moment for women in this country. We are not just voting for our leaders; we are voting for our women’s rights, our spaces, and our children's future. It's a battle on multiple fronts, and it's a battle we must win.
One of the pressing issues at hand is keeping women's spaces safe.
It's about ensuring that women have spaces where they can feel secure, like bathrooms, changing rooms, and women’s’ sports. Without the threat of a man entering their space. We must stand up against policies that compromise the safety and dignity of women in the name of inclusivity.
Another front in this fight is the government's Relationships & Sexuality Curriculum, which has left many parents concerned about the sexualization of children in the classroom. It’s crucial to protect the innocence of our children. Politicians must listen to the concerns of parents and address them with respect and care. Yet neither Christopher Luxon or Nicola Willis will give a straight answer on whether they will address the sexualisation of our children in our schools…they are likely hoping the topic fades away this side of the election.
Perhaps the most astonishing aspect of this struggle is the inability of some politicians to answer the seemingly simple question, "What is a woman?"
It's disheartening that they need scripted responses from their handlers to tackle such a fundamental question.
Kate Sheppard once said, "We want women leaders today as never before. Leaders who are not afraid to be called names and who are willing to go out and fight. I think women can save civilization." Today, we need leaders who embody these words. Leaders who are unafraid to stand up for women's rights, who refuse to be silenced, and who are willing to fight for what's right.
While Freedoms NZ is fortunate to have fantastic women leaders like Sue Grey, Donna Pokere-Phillips, Aly Cook, and many others within our ranks, I must emphasize my unwavering pride and support when it comes to my wife, Hannah Tamaki, the leader of Vision NZ. Her passion and dedication are truly unparalleled.
Hannah has led a movement of thousands of women for two decades transforming their lives, and her very first political event was 'Women of Vision.' If anyone in the nation has the credentials to speak to women’s rights…it’s Hannah. Her advocacy for women spans four decades, and she is the embodiment of the kind of female leadership we need today in Parliament.
Ladies, if you're searching for strong female representation, look no further than the expansive Freedoms NZ umbrella party. This election is one for the women, and it's our time to make a difference. Let us honour the legacy of Kate Sheppard and all those who fought for our women’s rights by standing up, voting, and ensuring that women's voices are heard loud and clear.
Join us on the 28th September as women and their families take to the streets in Wellington to ‘Save Our Kids Future.’
Just a closing word of warning: One thing I’ve learned over the years is never mess with a passionate mother, grandmother, or great grandmother. In some circles they are called a ‘Mama Bear’. Watch out politicians and parties…I know an army of women who have set their target on you! These women, are a force to be reckoned with. They won't back down when it comes to fighting for our children’s future. This election is their battleground, and they're ready for the fight. So, politicians, take heed, because these determined women are not to be underestimated.
Ladies, bring on the Ballot Box Revolution!
#PartyVoteFreedomsNZ
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Brian Tamaki, Co-Leader of Freedoms NZ speaks up, “As we learn of babies being decapitated by Hamas, as Hamas calls for mass mobilisation of the Arab and Muslim world this Friday in support of Palestinians, and as the world stares down the barrel of a possible World War III in Israel, we can not run the risk as a nation of allowing politicians or parties into positions of power in our Parliament who may be sympathisers with Palestine or Hamas. Many of our politicians are cunning enough this week to stay quiet on such matters, until after the election, but we need to haul them and their opinions out into the open before the majority of Kiwis vote. Kiwis deserve to know where politicians clearly stand when it comes to Israel. They are either for or against Israel. There is no grey area when innocent babies are being massacred.”
Three days out from our General Election, with Israel and Palestine now at war, can we risk being drawn into a bloodbath as New Zealanders if we vote the wrong people into power? Based on polling it's apparent that the only way Labour and the Greens will get back into Government is if Winston Peters goes into coalition with them. But what exactly is at stake with an Israeli-Palestinian war begun in the background? Hamas has been condemned worldwide for its atrocious unprovoked attack on innocent lives over the weekend, opening fire on young people at a music festival, shooting people in their homes, firing rockets into civilian territory. But not all sectors of society are condemning the attacks. Disturbingly, large crowds in American and European cities, London, even as close as Australia have risen up in support of Hamas and the terrorism it has carried out, seeing it as a defining act in Palestine's liberation fight. Even our own Sonny Bill Williams has waded into the debate throwing his support behind Hamas. Hamas is labeled a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the U.K. and others. A resolution to label Hamas a terrorist group failed to pass in the U.N. in 2018. Hamas rejects Israel's right to exist and is dedicated instead to the creation of a Palestinian country in the region. The group has both sociopolitical and military functions and receives crucial support and weapons from Iran. You might throw your hands on the air and say so what, what does that have to do with the NZ elections? In a recent poll, only 27% of people believed Winston Peters when he said he wouldn't go into coalition with Labour (and by default the Green Party). After all, history shows us Winston has done this before. In light of what has just happened in the Middle East, who would a Labour-Green-NZ First Govt support now that war has been declared in Israel? Chris Hipkins has been clear to condemn the Hamas attacks because of their nature, not because of where they have come from. New Zealand is one of 55 countries in the 193-state United Nations that does not recognise Palestine as a state. However, the Labour government in the past couple of weeks said it would consider meeting with the Palestinian ambassador to assess his credentials - a first step in the process towards diplomatic relations. Hipkins said the increase in hostilities would not affect those plans. He told Radio New Zealand: "No, not necessarily. But Hamas is recognised by New Zealand as a terrorist organisation and the plan to invite the Palestinian ambassador to present their credentials was not going to change that." The Green Party's Golriz Ghahraman, an Iranian refugee, has a history of fighting on behalf of Palestine inside of our own Parliament. In December 2020, Ghahraman joined fellow Green MP Teanau Tuiono and Labour MP Ibrahim Omer in pledging to form a new parliamentary Palestine friendship group to "raise the voices of Palestinian peoples in the New Zealand Parliament" during an event organised by the Wellington Palestine advocacy group to mark "International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinians." In May 2021, Ghahraman sponsored a motion calling for Members of Parliament to recognise the right of Palestinians to self-determination and statehood. Ghahraman also defended fellow Green MP Ricardo Menéndez March's tweet that said: "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!" And in May 2019, Ghahraman shockingly referred to Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus Christ as Palestinian refugees,which drew criticism from the NZ Jewish Council. Giving Winston Peters even the chance to create a Labour-Greens-NZ First coalition will lead NZ down a path to destruction none of us could even comprehend. The only political leader to openly throw their support behind Israel has been Brian Tamaki. Our traditional allies have done the same. Will you run the risk of supporting a party who has the potential to do the opposite?
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