This is the real reason David Seymour needs to reinterpret the Treaty of Waitangi

And it's got nothing to do with equality

This opinion is republished from an earlier write up

David Seymour is part of the ACT Party. He's backed by people like Alan Gibbs, and Koch money. He grew up as a right wing lobbyist - tick tick tick. All cool and fine - we know.

What's also been clear is a fervent need of his to get the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi to referendum. Despite our own Govt saying it violates the principles. And he has started the populist attack, attacking judges and those in the know.

His people are successful with referendums and getting their politicians in - Brexit, The Voice Australia, Liz Truss, Trump. They have great tools - IEA in the UK, Taxpayers Union and NZ Initiative in NZ etc. and a heck of a lot of money.

It's important for him to get his part of the bargain done - he has the position now, the skills, the power and the resources of Taxpayers Union, Free Speech Union, ACT and govt resources under him to help him sell it directly to the people (populist approach)

Now today there was news that the Trans-Tasman Resources mining company pulled out of hearings because they will go through the Govt's new Fast-Track legislation.

TTR have been trying to "suck up to 50 million tonnes of sand a year from the seabed to extract vanadium-rich iron ore." They have lost Supreme Court appeals and decisions. But fortunately they now have another way.

The Govt's new legislation specifically outlines that economic benefits matter and should be prioritised.

This was the exact same argument TTR used in their Supreme Court appeal.

But did you know why the Supreme Court rejected it?

Two key reasons: environmental reasons, in particular wildlife, and the Treaty of Waitangi.

At the time, it was said,

"This is an exciting day for iwi. The Supreme Court decision is precedent setting and will have implications beyond the specific EEZ Act. The Court has given strong and clear direction about the central role that Te Tiriti has in our constitution and in the law that will guide how all Treaty clauses in legislation are interpreted in the future. Tikanga was also affirmed as being part of our law."

Our Supreme Court entrenched this in case law.

Iwi and the Treaty are in the way of fossil fuel - the exact same industry that backs Taxpayers Union, Atlas and David Seymour's ACT.

Have no doubt that given Shane Jone's anti -environment song and dance and Maori criticisms at every turn & Costello's clear and present corruption, NZ First is in on the take.

This is the real reason they are doing so many things. While they can "protect" the fossil fuel and tobacco industries for a little while - e.g. by implementing sole Ministerial powers over fast track applications that harm the environment, offering that NZ pays massive fines to mining companies if any future govt re-bans offshore mining, unbanning offshore oil exploration etc. they can't protect them forever.

Only by eliminating the current interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi, can they assure a cleared and easier legal road ahead.

And that is one of the primary goals Seymour has.

When I was still newish to Reddit, I started connecting the dots on Seymour and Atlas. The clear and persistent pattern of wherever Atlas backed politicians has gone is to:

• Abolish environmental protections

• Slash public services

• Consolidate power

• Give power to landlords

• Anti-indigenous, particularly anti-indigenous land rights.

• Take advantage of a "perceived or real crisis" to enact laws favourable to their positions.

So when Seymour speaks of "humanity," "mana,” "kindness," and "equality" know what he really means, fwiw. And if you don't believe me, look at the sources below, or maybe just the trails of overflowing evidence. Or in the old fashioned way, follow the dark money.

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PS For extra points / fun, see this Newshub article which shows that when arguing against NZ's smoke free legislation, this Govt (Luxon and co) used the exact same lines that tobacco companies promote. Who wrote that Ministry of Health Ministerial memo again, Casey? That's right - she forgot!