Minority rights
NZ's history of democratic government has moved considerably from when only male landowners could vote, thus effectively disenfranchising women and most Māori. This situation changed to include all males above a certain age and then eventually the ability of women to vote. NZ democracy is no longer reflective of
a master/servant attitude where rich white males assume that they and only they are capable of making important decisions. However, the assumption of superiority still exists. With regard to the Covid vaccination response, we have seen decisions made on behalf of minority groups that didn't work until those groups exercised co-governance of the programme with far better results.
The greatest challenge for democratic systems is the tyranny of the majority. The majority, and their world view, dominate the world views of the minorities.
I contend that co-governance with iwi is another step forward for democracy and is in no way undemocratic. David Seymour, and other minority party leaders, in negotiating coalition arrangements under our MMP democracy undoubtedly attempt to maximise the level of co-governance that can be achieved. How can that be democratic for a minority political party and undemocratic for an iwi? Ah, I think I hear a dog whistle.
Chris Lowman, Pt Chevalier.
Progressive society
We can adopt new ideas unrelated to history. Hence history has only the meaning we choose and carry forward into our future.
I hope we seek to serve our descendants with a better society than the one we have. A free, fair, just, diverse society of peaceful co-existence.
If we are to build such a society, we need to adopt new ideas and not re-tread old ones. For example, we know that all forms of racial-based differentiation are intrinsically unstable. Hence suggestions of separatism, co-governance, including the continuation of Māori seats, and specification of racial privilege in legislation are all intrinsically unstable.
Adoption of any form of segregated social development assumes that how people feel today will be shared by grandchildren and beyond, a dangerous assumption since it has never happened in all human history, with all societies based on racial differentiation becoming fractious and violently imploding.
Carrying vengeful intent into our future will guarantee our failure in service to our descendants.
New ideas are available, but as a people, we must decide it is the future we want.
Graham Little, Birkenhead.
Prime candidates
I am perplexed as to why the list of potential replacements for the role of director general of health (NZ Herald, April 8) did not include a pair of obvious candidates.
After years of reading or hearing their points of view on a vast range of issues, I am convinced that there are a couple of down-to-Earth New Zealanders who know almost everything about everything, especially in regard to how to combat a pandemic.
For the task of running our country's health system, I would like to propose the job-sharing dream team of Mike Hosking and David Seymour.
William Walker, Whangārei.
Cure-all concern
I think Matt Heath should be required reading for everyone.
His column this week (NZ Herald, April 12) was a masterpiece.
The trouble is, if we all took his advice, doctors would be going bankrupt and too many hospital beds would be empty.
That would be a disaster.
Ailsa Martin-Buss, Glendowie.
Comings and goings
I wonder how many among those now leaving our shores for richer climes in the UK, Australia, or wherever else they will land themselves are also among those who whinged about how hard it was to return "home" during Covid lockdowns when the going got a bit scary for them overseas?
Loyalty to their country of birth seems to be only as deep as the wallets they carry.
Meantime there are thousands of innocent people around the world trying to escape oppression, war, and hardship who, given the chance, would become grateful and worthy members of society in any country which offered them a safe haven. Who knows what skills these people would bring that NZ would benefit from, and could fill the gaps left by those fairweather Kiwis who have, yet again flown the nest to find the fortunes elsewhere? I was discussing this yesterday with my Jordanian barber, the most wonderfully gifted in his craft I have met in my own 50 immigrant years in NZ.
Jeremy Coleman, Hillpark.
