The New Plymouth mayor, Andrew Judd, had an upbringing not too different from that of many other Pākehā. Like his parents, he never had much to do with Māori. But he didn’t see that meagre contact and limited education as any barrier to adopting firm ideas about Māori failings.
He now sees those years of uninformed prejudice as a serious mistake. In fact, he now refers to himself as a “recovering racist”. But that recovery hasn’t won him widespread Pākehā applause. Not in Taranaki anyway. Instead, his pro-Māori advocacy has been such a bruising experience he won’t be standing for re-election. Here he tells Dale of the paths he’s been travelling.
I was born in 1965 and I grew up in Masterton in the Wairarapa. I’m one of six children. Second eldest. Five boys, one sister. My mum’s from Guernsey in the Channel Islands. She came out here, as a 16-year-old, with her family after the war. The Germans had invaded their little island — and their house was occupied by a German officer.
Her dad, who was a newspaper typesetter, picked up a job in Masterton for the Wairarapa Times-Age. And it was in Masterton that Mum (Jennifer) met my dad, Peter, who was a young, sprightly chap at the local church, St Matthew’s. They were both into scouting — cub leaders and then scout leaders. I whakapapa back to Kent on my dad’s side. He ran the YMCA and a menswear shop for many years. But he died when I was a teenager. Mum’s still alive. She lives in Masterton.
As kids, we went to Lansdowne Primary School, Hiona Intermediate and then Makoura College.
Did you have much contact with Māori in those early days? Classmates? Or team-mates when it came to sport?
There were certainly some Māori children in my class. But no, I never really engaged or connected with Māori. I knew there was a marae at high school, but I never went to it. I’d quickly walk past if I saw anything going on there. I’d look the other way. Never had a need. Not even when I was into scouts. And I didn’t play rugby as a young child — although I did later on. So, no. I had no real contact.
I think that a significant part of the reason for the distance between our peoples is that we didn’t interact much as kids. But now, when you look back at those years, do you recall any incidents that help explain your discomfort with Māori — and your distance?
There’s a couple of things that come to mind. Once we were driving past some state houses. And I remember saying to my parents: “Look, they’ve got sheets for curtains.” And they said: “Don’t stare, Andrew. That’s rude. They’re Māoris.” I wonder now what that sort of remark plants in the mind of a child. I’d bike past other state houses and Mum would say: “Make sure your lunch is locked and safe because it might get stolen.” So, as I’d go past, I’d speed up. And no lunch was ever stolen. I was never stopped and harassed in any way, shape or form.
Small examples, but examples of how attitudes to Māori were planted deep in my psyche. And there’s another shameful example from those years. Please bear with me. There was a silly routine as kids when, if you touched somebody that you thought had maggots, you’d run around and touch someone else and say: “I’m fans.” Meaning, I’m free of the maggots. Then they’d have to touch someone else to get rid of the maggots. And I distinctly remember doing that to a little Māori girl at school. And I think back now: “How horribly, horribly cruel. How hard that must have been for that little girl.”
Yet we thought that game was fun. I reflect on those times now and I can see that’s definitely where it all started. And, from that point on, it gets reinforced by never having to engage — and never having to see the consequence of those actions. Never knowing how that would have affected her in her life. Never knowing what that behaviour said about me as a kid. Hearing: “Don’t stare. They’re Māoris.” Feeling the need to speed up past the state houses. Avoiding the marae. In fact, I couldn’t even look at a marae — or the carvings, or the flag — without a sense of fear and anger.
Anger! Why did I get angry about that? What’s wrong with me? But, of course, as I now say: “Well, actually, you’re racist.”
It’s unusual to hear someone describe themselves that way, because most people are in a state of denial about that. But perhaps we should cut some slack here for you and your folks because, if you haven’t met Māori families, if you haven’t spent time with Māori people, you’ll have a nervousness about that whole scene. There was your mum coming out from England as a 16-year-old. She probably never met many Māori. She probably never had any Māori mates. So, that nervousness about an entire people is understandable. We might assume that, growing up in New Zealand, you’ll meet Māori everywhere. But there’s a lot of Pākehā who never have that contact.
That’s right. And Mum and I have talked about this recently. She’s one of my biggest supporters. We were a churchgoing family. My dad was a lay minister and my mum sang in the choir. And we just didn’t see our attitudes as racism. And she’s acknowledged that she just didn’t have any Māori friends as a migrant from the UK. And then she went straight into her husband’s world.
Okay. So, you’re a young fulla. Off to high school. And then off into the wider world.
Well, I didn’t feel challenged by school, so I left as a 15-year-old and went and worked in a factory, as a cloth-cutter, in Greytown. That was the period when my dad passed away. And, in trying to come to terms with that, I wound up in a flat in Hamilton and working as a cloth-cutter in another factory. Next stop was Huntly where I met and then married Trudi.
Gee, you’ve gone from one predominantly Pākehā society in the Wairarapa to a very, very Māori scene in Huntly. How did you find life there?
There were two sides to Huntly. You were either an east-sider or you were a west-sider from across the river. But there was a strong connection when it came to sport — and that’s when I started having some contact with Māori because I played rugby and cricket in Huntly. But even then, although you’d have a laugh with other players, I never had Māori friends or walked on to a marae. So nothing had changed with me. I still wouldn’t look at a marae. I wanted to get past as soon as I could. I’d drive through Ngāruawāhia. And just keep driving. It’s bizarre, if you think about it, that I never felt any need to connect. Yeah. Go figure.
Your wife, though, being a Huntly girl, probably had a more thorough Māori “apprenticeship” than you got in Masterton.
I give a lot of credit to her. All of her schooling was in Huntly, so she had a completely different perspective and world experience than I had. But, through our young marriage and having children, it wasn’t something we talked about. My wife’s a nurse so, in the course of her training, she went through some cultural training which I distinctly remember poo-pooing. I told her I didn’t want to hear any of that stuff — or any te reo — around the home. So, she didn’t. Then, just a few years ago, she did some reo training. And, once again, I said: “I don’t want to hear that around the house. Thank you.”
When I think back now, my ignorance and arrogance was just mind-blowing. But that’s how it was. That’s how I was. But she supported me the whole way. She never judged me for having that attitude. And she hasn’t judged me now that I’ve come to realise my ignorance.
Kia ora, Andrew. This is kōrero that I don’t hear very much even though I interview many, many people. But let’s hear now how you and Trudi moved on and made your home in Taranaki.
Well, I’d started work in the home appliance world and I got the chance to take over an electric store in New Plymouth. And, 21 years ago that’s where we headed. Sold up everything we had in Hamilton where we’d settled down, and moved to Taranaki. After a couple of years, though, it became clear that the store wasn’t the goldmine I’d been hoping for.
So I took on a sales job with The Radio Network. Wrote and voiced a few ads, and did a bit of on-air work. And, in the course of that work, I saw a lot more of Taranaki and got a good perspective on Hawera and Stratford. But still had no interest in anything Māori. Drove past Parihaka umpteen times. It was just a road sign. Went to Waitara. Never went on to a marae. Nothing. That wasn’t part of my world.
You must have been conscious, though, of some of the Māori issues around that time. Māori radio. Māori television. Kura kaupapa. Māori Language Week. All of that sort of kaupapa. Were you conscious of what was going on?
Only peripherally. And the only time I would probably engage with a lot of that was to have a go at it. Maybe I’d be watching the news on Waitangi Day and I’d be thinking: “What now? How much more of this stuff do we have to put up with? When are they going to move on? I’m sick of this. When are they going to get over it?”
My classic line was: “Who owns land anyway? If arriving first means that you own the land, then America owns the moon.” That’s where my mind went on issues like that.
Pretty soon, though, you were moving into local government. What was the pathway to that line of work?
Through the radio work, I got to know an optometrist who suggested that I should do some training and become a dispensing optician. That required seventh form level maths and physics — which I’d been well short of when I left school at 15 with no School Cert passes. I was quite intrigued and I thought I’d give it a go — even though it meant doing night classes for mathematics and physics.
Funny thing in life is, if you focus on something, at times you can surprise yourself. Which I did. I passed with a distinction. I was really proud of that. And I ended up going out on my own and opening my own practice. I employed optometrists and went on to become the president of our association for New Zealand.
And we had a night here in town where there was a top shop award, and our business won top shop for Taranaki. The then mayor came over and encouraged me to stand for the council. He told me I could be the mayor one day. Apparently he’d say that to everybody. I’d never really given that any thought. But, as you can appreciate, it gets to your ego. You think: ”Yeah, I’ll give that a crack. I’ve got a business. I’ve got the optics thing going on. Life’s going good. I’ll give it a crack.”
So I did. And I think I was the second highest polling councillor. And that’s the way my local government journey started.
When I got on to the council, we had a komiti Māori. I had never attended any komiti Māori hui at all. In fact, I had to ask one of the councillors: “What’s the difference between a hapū and an iwi? What does that mean?” That’s how ignorant I’d been. I’m laughing now at my own embarrassment. I didn’t know anything. Nothing. It’s amazing, eh? To think you can go through all your life in New Zealand, and not know anything. All I knew was a few words like puku and kia ora — and, of course, some racist jokes. So it was hideous. I look back, and it was just hideous.
But things have changed for you, haven’t they? How did that come about?
It was a succession of little things that began when I was elected as the mayor. I’d been in the job for only a month or two when there was a protest out at Waitara about the perpetual leases on Pekapeka block land. So, out I went and heard the complaints from some residents who were concerned that the iwi were getting back the land and were “going to kick us off”. And there was all that sort of fearful talking.
And I’m driving back to the office, getting into my groove: “Enough. Sick of that stuff. I’m the mayor. I’m in a position where I can change that. Enough of this handout. Let’s find a way to help those lease holders. This is scary for them, those poor people! Having to go through all of this. Not knowing who the new landlord would be! Oh, no.”
Back at the office, the staff gave me the settlement documentation that was going through with the Crown at the time. I opened it up and turned to where Te Atiawa were talking about the history of the Pekapeka block. And I got captured by the history. And before I knew it, a couple of hours had gone past. And I thought: “I didn’t know any of that. Gosh. That’s amazing. Why didn’t I know that?”
So it sort of chips away at you, these things. You wonder why you didn’t know. Then you find reasons to justify why you didn’t. You think about how you were raised. So you tell yourself that it’s not your fault. That you don’t need to feel bad about not knowing. And anyway, you’re not Māori.
So there were lots of little steps. And another one was when I was putting together the council committees — and there was the question of Māori representation. We’d always had a komiti Māori. Then the iwi liaison officer told me that the kaumātua would like to meet the new mayor, that’s me, at Tui Ora.
And, gosh, I’m thinking: “What do I need to do?” And they said: “Nothing. We’ll be there to support you.” So I go along to introduce myself. I’m at the door and my heart is pounding out of my chest. Because I look in the room and they’re all Māori. Then I thought, so what? Why would that be an issue? Anyway. Stiff upper lip. Be strong. You’re the mayor. And I went through and hongi’d right round the room. Sat down and it’s all in te reo. I’m thinking: “What do I say if I have to speak? What do I say? Kia ora? I don’t know.”
But what was actually unfolding was a welcome. They were welcoming me. “We’re honoured,” they said, “to meet you. We are here to work with you and help you where we can. Please stay with us for food and fellowship.”
That was pretty cool. And, when I spoke, I said I’m putting together a komiti Māori. I’ve come to say hello and thank you for your warm welcome. In the cup of tea period, some of the kaumātua and leaders said to me: “Look, with all due respect, we understand komiti Māori but, actually, we don’t want it because we’re moving from grievance to participation mode. It’s just compliance, really. We feel it’s not real. It has the same status as your youth committee. Things aren’t written. So, with all due respect — obviously you can put it together and you’ll find some people that will be on it — but, no thanks.”
You know, that night, sitting back, reflecting on the day, I thought: “Gosh, they were lovely.” Why was I thinking: “I’m the only Pākehā in a Māori room”? Why was that even a thought for me? Other than it was fact. But why would I even think that?
In the lead-up to the election, I’d campaigned on doing the right thing. My slogan was: Let’s bring honesty back to local politics. The message behind that was around finances actually. But, I thought: No. I want to do the right thing on Māori representation. So, a few days later, with some of our in-house people, I met with some of those leaders. I said I didn’t want to put a committee together that’s not wanted. And I asked them what would work.
Well, their preference was for a Māori ward. But they acknowledged that I’d get a lot of stick if that’s what we proposed, so they didn’t push for that. They suggested having Māori voting rights on the sub-committees. I would have final sign-off as the mayor, but for them, it would be a step closer to the conversation and decision-making.
But the councillors wouldn’t wear that. They said you can’t give unelected people a vote. They said that’s not democracy. And I heard in their tone, and saw in their eyes, myself. That was the early stages of recognition for me.
So it wasn’t on. I thought: What do I do now? Can’t have komiti Māori. I can’t get representation on standing committees, even though parts of the country have that. What was next? Well, if one option was for a Māori ward, then we’d have elected councillors. Which is what they wanted. So I tried that — and somehow it got passed.
Shortly after, I went overseas, in my capacity as a dispensing optician, for an international optics conference. On the final night, we were asked to come dressed in our national costume — and to do a skit from our country. We were sat next to the Australian table. We were teasing them. Asking what they were going to do. Waltzing Matilda? They said: “Yeah, well you’re lucky. You’ve got Māori culture.”
We were all middle-aged, pale, frail cats. And we all got up to do the haka. None of us actually knew how to do it. We just got up and fumbled our way through it. Laugh. Laugh. Chuckle. Chuckle. And teased the Aussies because they just sang Waltzing Matilda.
Flying home I had all that time to think. Okay, Andrew. What is your culture as a Pākehā New Zealander? Because you’re not English and you’re not Māori. And yet you thought you were justified in grabbing something from Māori culture as yours. Giving it no respect. Not knowing what it meant. Not knowing how to do it. What does that say about you, Andrew Judd?
So that was another step in the journey of discovering who I thought I was when I was a part of that performance. Then, of course came the journey of the Māori ward. And the pushback. The pushback had me fighting, in a way, against myself. Because everything that was being fired at me was what I used to say. And think. And do.
And it was coming from people I’ve known for many, many years. People I care about. They were saying what I’d been saying. But I’d been racist. Because the more I was engaging with Māori, the more love I was getting from them. Love.
This, of course, was during the settlement process. I was there at the tail-end of that, observing how the Crown was operating with Te Atiawa. And, of course, I was doing more research and reading. And I became especially interested in Parihaka. So I read Dick Scott’s book Ask That Mountain. And I was moved to tears.
Why don’t we talk about our history? This is bizarre! No wonder I’ve been like I was. Parihaka has been an inconvenient truth. Not only do we not talk about what was done, but how it was done. Yet we stand on a world stage like we’re the be-all and end-all of race relations. No, we’re not. We’re no different.
So I learn about Parihaka. Then I watch the process with the Crown. Watching how they were just bullies really. And then the settlement process. The signing. The love and inclusion I was receiving from iwi. I was starting to learn correct pronunciation of te reo. I had a lovely lady on staff who said: “You don’t have to, I’m just offering it as a starting point. But, if you want, I can help you with your reo pronunciation.” She just wanted me to stop with the standard Pākehā mispronunciation of Taranaki and Waitara. And I thought: “Yep. Absolutely.” Because what was unfolding in me was enlightenment.
There are many things that bring us together in New Zealand. And this rich kōrero of yours, Andrew, is part of that. So I thank you for it. But I realise that your principled stand has come at a personal cost to you. I’m disappointed you’re not standing again but I can understand that.
What I’ve found wasn’t what I was looking for in my journey as a mayor. But for me, I’m blessed beyond belief. I’ve found a richness of understanding that I could never have hoped for. I’m not a victim. I’ve been blessed.
For me, ignorance is one thing. But to realise it and then look past it would be indefensible. So I’m addressing Pākehā. I’m reflecting on what I’ve been through. And I’m saying: “We’ve got it wrong. We’re a major part of the problem. We’ve never acknowledged it because we don’t talk about our past. But we need to talk about it in order to understand.”
Taking the land was bad enough. But taking away somebody’s ability to identify with who they are is just plain wrong. We have to change. And it’s an attitude change.
If you can identify with what I’m saying, then come with me. And let’s see if together we can change this.
What people said to Andrew Judd
Māori don’t need any special treatment. They just need to be more like us.
If I’d known you supported all this Māori stuff, I would never have voted for you.
They need to get off their backsides and stop holding their hands out for special privilege.
We’re all one now, Judd. Get over it.
They’ve just got to be more like us.
You do realise when Māori get settlements the first thing they do is go down to Michael Hill and buy gold watches.
The loser must follow the laws of the victor, Andrew.
You gotta drop all this Māori stuff.
You’re so misguided, Andrew.
You’re not a politician, you’re an idiot.
You’re a bigot.
You’re a separatist.
You’re supporting apartheid.
Enjoy your one term as our mayor, fella.
You’re done, mate.
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What is the name of the book
What is the name of the book Dale Husband wrote about Andrew Judd? Trying to nominate Andrew for the New Zealander of the year award.
Kia ora Averyl, Dale has not
Kia ora Averyl, Dale has not written a book, just this article. You are welcome to use it in support of your nomination. Nga mihi
Dont forget European side.
Dont forget European side.
Guernsey not Gurnsey
A supporter of all pakeha who
A supporter of all pakeha who walk forward with their eyes wide open.Andrew its your task to open eyes of other pakeha to the point where those that disagree are out numbered and then don’t matter. Moana did a stunning piece on Institutional Racism, that I believe is where you and your other pakeha friends need to work…free us from the racist shackles, so we can do good for everyone and everything.Whats good for Maori is good for all!
As a Pakeha, I commend Mr
As a Pakeha, I commend Mr Judd on his honest reflection and description of the racism prevalent amongst those of the dominant culture in Aotearoa. While Te Tiriti o Waitangi allowed settlers to reside in this land, it also confirmed the enduring sovereignty of Tangata Whenua. Until this fact is fully acknowledged and accepted by those who are not Tangata Whenua, social justice will not be achieved.
It’s basically a choice
It’s basically a choice Andrew, either you discriminate against the 86% who aren’t Maoris, by giving Maoris a free seat, or you do things democratically and vote on it. But it’s no good whining about having a democratic vote and losing and then calling it the majority prejudiced. Staying to fight would show a lot more backbone than walking away.
Actually it isn’t a “free”
Actually it isn’t a “free” seat. Some could argue that the national and local governments are obliged to allow Maori representation as stipulated in the Treaty of Waitangi. You know…follow the law in the founding document of this country.
And perhaps Andrew is sick of the racist abuse he is receiving from narrow minded and ignorant idiots that set out to ruin his life. Sometimes it isn’t worth the lack of sleep, emotional/physical stress, and endless/pointless conversations with people that don’t want to listen to a clear, mature and rational point of view.
PS. It isn’t “Maoris”, there is no “s” in the Maori dictionary, it is “Maori”.
Democracy means Proportional
Democracy means Proportional Representation, not the tyranny of the majority. Please educate yourself Mr Scooter.
I was moved to tears by your
I was moved to tears by your article. Thank you for being so open about your thoughts in the past. As a Bahá’í for the past 44 years, I have spent more than half my life fighting my own inner conflicts, prejudices etc and its my belief that its an ongoing ever present reality, and one that we have to be ever ready to get rid of. As a little child though, I can remember standing up in disgust as the Principle of my new school’s statement, on my 1st day there, after having been told to report any maori child who spoke maori during school times and in the school grounds. I was a little radical back then, going to all the kids in the school letting them know that I won’t report them. I felt the unfairness of this at the tender age of 5. Unfortunately, along the way, I gained a few prejudices as I was bullied, and beaten and I have to thank God that I no longer have feelings of superiority. Your story has made me feel confident that people can and will change, and things will come right in our country in the future.
“Racism, one of the most baneful and persistent evils, is a major barrier to peace. Its practice perpetrates too outrageous a violation of the dignity of human beings to be countenanced under any pretext. Racism retards the unfoldment of the boundless potentialities of its victims, corrupts its perpetrators, and blights human progress. Recognition of the oneness of mankind, implemented by appropriate legal measures, must be universally upheld if this problem is to be overcome.” (The Universal House of Justice, 1985 Oct, The Promise of World Peace, p. 3)
Brilliant article and
Brilliant article and interview, what a journey. Thank you Andrew for your insight and honesty. Sadly we pakeha do not want to head down that same journey because of what we might find out about ourselves. In my experience although racism is very entrenched and widespread throughout the country, Taranaki and Waikato seem to be the worst. Perhaps because these two areas with their rapatu land mistakenly believe they have the most to hide and therefore the most to lose? It is about time we all gained a deeper knowledge of our history, embraced the truth about ourselves and become the wonderful country we pretend we are. Nga mihi
Tena koe Mr Andrew Judd. In
Tena koe Mr Andrew Judd. In all my 50 plus years of observing District Councils and Health Boards, currently now known as District Health Boards.. Maori has always been known to be the low minority around the table of decision making for people/communities. Never have I ever seen or heard korero from any Pakeha person to support and bring to light the grievances that Maori people have experienced since 1840 -1860s and even after that in the confiscating of Maori land under the Public Works Act. Your choice to read and research the history around Parihaka and to openly admit to being racist and now a recovering racist, I just so salute you for. There is this reading you will probably know that reads “You shall KNOW the truth, and the TRUTH shall set you free.” Kia ora Te Rangatira.. You are certainly a hero in our eyes and your Pakeha people NZ nationally are highly Blessed and fortunate to have you lead the way for them and thank you for your support for Maori that is not just Taranaki but for all Maori in NZ and overseas. . May your Pakeha people see, recognise and acknowledge that you are that one person that can bridge the gap between two cultures.. Truly a leader. God Bless you richly Mr Andrew Judd
I am so sorry you are not
I am so sorry you are not standing again, Andrew. This interview needs to get the widest possible exposure.
Ānei anō te mihi ki a koe
Ānei anō te mihi ki a koe Andrew Judd. Wow! What a journey you have had. Thank you for your honesty. So humbling to read about your journey, and the resolve that your experiences have given to enable you to speak out positively. Mā te Atua koutou ko tō whānau e manaaki.
Thank you Andrew. You are
Thank you Andrew. You are too good for the council there is more important work for you to do now. I am sure you will enjoy your new journey with Maori. They will make you feel welcome and valued and we who experience the issues you have discovered will be comforted knowing you are on our side. aroha nui
Oh wow, this is a whole
Oh wow, this is a whole different perspective of another. I think I’ve been ignorant too, just only recently have I’ve learnt to accept those who do not want to participate in anything maori such as a karakia, or pohiri. The first time I saw these individuals just get up and walk out were maori. I found that very offensive especially when you know their connections. It was very frustrating to see that. This was their belief. I don’t think you were wrong, you just reflected what was taught. No disrespect to your mum or dad. It took you to become a mayor and now moving forward from there is what matters. I do hope you continue as a mayor, I’m pretty sure your journey will just excel from there. Take care and good luck. 🙂
As a New Zealand born pakeha
As a New Zealand born pakeha with German parents I can totally understand where Andrew is coming from. For me it wasn’t until I got to university that I began to understand the point of view of Maori, after covering some NZ history as part of my engineering degree. What I don’t understand is why primary and secondary education in NZ doesn’t cover this in any depth. I don’t recall any mention of different versions of the treaty, land wars, land confiscation, suppression of Maori culture, or that Maori were making their way in the world pre-treaty. All I recall is having to remember a few facts about the Treaty of Waitangi – namely the year it was signed and that it was at Waitangi, as well as learning some Maori myths and legends. Some decent unbiased fact based education early on would go a long way…
Thank you Dale Husband and
Thank you Dale Husband and Andrew Judd for sharing this inspiring journey. I especially felt a connection with your comment relating to our supposed place on the world stage as As a New Zealand born Samoan (therefore a different culture from Maori), I have always wondered how it was even possible for any Pakeha living in NZ to be ignorant of abuses against Maori and how ongoing governmental, educational, legal and welfare policies try to groom (yes, I did use the correct verb and yes I did use it intentionally in this way) a class of victims. Your story is an eye opener that could also be inspirational for others if you decided to present at any public speaking engagements. I appreciate your honesty and integrity in refusing to look past your initial ignorance. However, I would like to respectfully suggest that you, as someone who has experienced the awakening, who is open to asking the difficult questions from the perspective of “that was me, but no more and here’s why”, you are the most appropriate person to lead other Pakeha to the same level of enlightenment.
Tautoko Mr Judd the truth is
Tautoko Mr Judd the truth is hard to acknowledge by those ignorant of our history like it never happened but are quick to schedule a holiday around Waitangi day !! Learn an understand your history of Aotearoa before you judge !!
It is not the difference, but
It is not the difference, but the indifference!
Ngā mihi e hoa mo ōu whakaaro rangarira!
Kia ora.
Kia ora.
Thank you Andrew for your
Thank you Andrew for your guts to be so forthright and brave in sharing such a personal story. So many of us pakeha are in similar situations and have similar thoughts yet we don’t transform them from intentions to actions.
So I pray that we will have the same courage as you have displayed to achieve transformation in this beautiful nation!
Thanks fot being so truthful.
Thanks for being so truthful. Thanks for sharing about that process of transformation in small steps. Mighty change is possible for us all.
If Andrew Judd is a
If Andrew Judd is a “recovering racist” that’s for him to deal with, He shouldn’t assume a lot of others are also, growing up I went to school, played sport, worked with and socialised with Maori BUT I never looked at it as them and us , we were all kiwis getting on with life and enjoying each other’s company, I left school and worked at the works and we all had the same opportunities working along side each other. The Maori Ward idea isn’t keeping us together it’s separating us, the best people for the job should get voted on and if we end up with the majority Maori that’s fine with me, there are a lot that are more than capable if they want to put their hand up. And like I said earlier if Andrew Judd feels guilty about his racial upbringing I feel sorry that he missed out on what a lot of us had growing up but that’s something he needs to deal with and don’t assume that’s the way it was for the majority.
Best people for the job
Best people for the job should get voted on you say, but who is the best person to represent Maori? Andrew Judd was the Mayor and knew nothing at all about Maori culture so how can he make a decision that affects Maori culture? NZ is made up of 14% Maori, so Pakeha would have to vote a Maori into council to have a say on things that affect them. Do the overwhelming majority of Pakeha know who the best person is, or should it be elected by Maori to represent Maori? The ward is a way the Maori can be represented and Maori still have to vote who is getting the seat, so yes, that would result in the best person for the job. If we are all kiwis and all the same, why do we speak two languages? We should all speak Maori if we are all the same then. We as a country are made up of different ethnic groups and Maori being indigenous to this country. Maori didn’t ask the Crown to come here and start a war, and yes, there were wars, not just Parihaka. The history is real, and land was taken and Maori were killed. Andrew has not assumed anything, he is trying to help the 14% who can’t get a vote have their cultural say. A democracy is simply a popularity contest, and Maori rights aren’t popular in this country. And an equal treaty partner shouldn’t have to be voted in.
Your perspective would be all
Your perspective would be all well and good if the Treaty of Waitangi was not signed by the government or did not even exist. But it does. The government and local councils have a responsibility to uphold their end of the bargain to protect Māori chieftainship over their lands and resources as in Article Two.
“we all had the same
“we all had the same opportunities working along side each other.” Trevor, this is not true. Please do some research.
kia ora Andrew. I understand
kia ora Andrew. I understand your desire not wanting to remain in local politics, but if there’s any chance for you to reconsider. I think you could move the mountain – pun intended. Taranaki needs you. Kia kaha
God bless you and your whanau
God bless you and your whanau, Andrew Judd.
Your bravery in speaking out against rascism in such an open and honest way is a lesson 4 all those who choose to not have the same awakening.I wish u all the best for your future.Kia kaha.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading
Thoroughly enjoyed reading about your experiences. Really really happy for you that you feel enlightened and informed about the history and culture that has been at arms length for you yet hundreds of miles away. It’s a different world you live in now isn’t it? !
Wow – what a journey! Look
Wow – what a journey! Look forward to the book. Returning to NZ, after living abroad for many years, I believe race relations have deteriorated significantly over the past 20 years. This is scary – particularly when you see what’s happening in other parts of the world – where long standing grievances have led to open conflict. Let us not take for granted the ‘peace’ and ‘safety’ of Aotearoa.
Kiaora Andrew Judd nice work
Kiaora Andrew Judd nice work to get rid of the ignorance ,we need to make Maori Language compulsory in school at least primary school ,that needs to be our main push .Then we won’t be such a racists couple of little islands. Kia Kaha
Tautoko
Tautoko
Lovely read. This gives me
Lovely read. This gives me hope.
I am humbled and teary-eyed
I am humbled and teary-eyed by this article. Mr Judd shows me there is hope for this country. Ngã mihi ki a koe, Mr Judd!
Thanks for your candid
Thanks for your candid reflection and all the very best in your continued journey of developing insight. It is only this approach that will pave the way to positive change.
I have someone close to me who has been severely and unconsciously affected by assimilation and loss of identity and belonging
Tena koe e Te Rangatira,
Tena koe e Te Rangatira,
Well I’ve grown up with a lot of bloody rednecks, worked with a lot more and played sport at the highest level with the so and so’s. I commend you Andrew for the courage and honesty you have shown I know it would have been easier for you to extend your middle finger and walk away from this situation and not have to put up with the abuse and ridicule that you and your family have experienced.
Nga mihi nui.
Kia ora. I am pakeha with a
Kia ora. I am pakeha with a daughter of mixed blood who identifies with her Māori side. She attended kohanga Reo & Kura kaupapa as do my 4 mokos. It is a constant hurt for me knowing there are many New Zealanders who think & feel as you did about my Whanau. I think what you have done is courageous and I hope that it will touch other racists in our society. You make a difference. Mauri ora
Teenaa koutou…..awesome and
Teenaa koutou…..awesome and I do believe what Andrew has shared is what most New Zealanders in our generation came to know or not know. We always have a choice to make a difference and I believe Andrew is doing just that for the better. nga mihi.
Thankyou, sooo much Lord God
Thankyou, sooo much Lord God Almighty for Your Will which is, goodness and loving kindness and good are the paths Your Will leads all peoples on.
I pray, that You will continue to Bless, enlarge and expand Mayor Andrew Judds borders.
I pray that Your right hand and Your Holy arm will be with him, to keep and protect and deliver him, his wife, children, loved ones, friends and all he is responsible for, from the hand of his enemy and every unholy and unrighteous thought, word and deed that raises itself up against him, so that it might not hurt him or his loved ones.
Thank you Father God for granting my request by Your Grace through Faith in Christ Jesus and for Christ Jesus Namesake here on earth as it is in Heaven Amen …ox
Amen and Amen.
Amen and Amen.
Bless You . thanks for this Prayer.
Racism is still here in New
Racism is still here in New Zealand. When are we going to change it, when are we going to look more honestly and clearly at it and our history, when are we going to commemorate the New Zealand wars of the 1860’s, publicly commemorate them and acknowledge the justice of the Maori cause and the heroism of Maori fighting for their land and culture?
My utmost respect Andrew Judd
My utmost respect Andrew Judd first n foremost as a human being. You are a leader among men… not sure who said that but that’s what came to mind reading your journey. I would certainly buy your book! Kia kaha e hoa!!
I was put onto the Facebook
I was put onto the Facebook support page for Andrew Judd,but signed myself off,I cannot do justice to support.
I have said this before also………..Pukeariki Museum was a great example of people gathering mainstream and maori it was challenging but it made the opening and the Parihaka history a key note in 2003.I got to work on the project for my arts and photography paper and have memories of the Mayor(Tennant) also then who seemed to be challenged and struggled at times to make sense and also do justice to his local body commitments,but needless to say the day and opening was a great success.Finally last week I I submitted a speech made by Joris De Bres in 2015 on facebook, who gives a clear history at the local body level and its relationship to Human Rights…………its helpful to check that speech and see if it has any current updates and progress since these issues have come visible in the 1970s related to the issues and discussions around racism.I think that there maybe a forum in Pukeariki today that maybe helpful to support and make visible some of the issues Andrew Judd has gained publicity for on facebook and the news.So many people who worked on the opening have passed on also so any research will be very valuable about the history and any updates that have occurred since then.
One thing I will say Andrew Judd……..I did work with a group of young maori and pacific children in 2003 who loved to talk about that special school lunch,and once walking up the mainroad in town one of the kids ran up to me and said “Miss can you buy me a pie please” I said yes glad to,I was pleased to do that and happy to share that very small issue about “lunch”it means a lot to a very stretched local community,your local body future members also.
They remember the little things in life.
Kia Kaha
Kupu mīharo e hoa. Ngā mihi
Kupu mīharo e hoa. Ngā mihi
Well done to you Andrew Judd
Well done to you Andrew Judd for having the courage to stand up for truth and for justice. May the people of New Zealand find respect and understanding for each other and other cultures.
kia ora Andrew, thank you for
kia ora Andrew, thank you for being honest and sharing some of your life experiences with us. I am in hope many other tauiwi/non-Maori will read your article and realise they too may have similar views and make the changes you are. There are clear inequalities in goverment frameworks/policies, we need the right people at the top leading our country. Thank you once again for your openess…
Great article that resonated
Great article that resonated with me, a recovering redneck. Thanks.
Wow Andrew, love your brutal
Wow Andrew, love your brutal honesty. May you continue on your journey in learning more about our Maori history. This article has certainly inspired me to do more in this area.