Some of you may remember that back in September I wrote a blog entitled ‘NATIVISM, PATRIOTISM OR RACISM?’ in which, in short, I suggested that the rising incidence of Asian bashing by Kiwis was tacitly condoned by those who believe Asians are stealing jobs, houses and other entitlements that should be going to native New Zealanders.
The usual denials ensued and I was accused of making too much of a few isolated incidents.
Today, at 9.30 in the morning, in the car park of the Muriwai Golf Club, I witnessed such an assault.
I literally drove up to see a pack of Polynesian teenagers attacking someone before racing back to a car that was waiting to make a fast getaway. (Yes, shock, horror, I’m saying they were Polynesian because I’m too old, grumpy and honest to suppress the truth on the grounds of political correctness).
It turned out that the victim was a lone Japanese golfer, weighing around 55kgs dripping wet. He was in shock and could not speak English but managed to communicate that he had been attacked, without warning, by a rabid gang of youths one of whom was wielding a screwdriver. I assume this weapon was responsible for the wounds in his forehead and neck. As I write this poor bugger is in hospital no doubt in pain and severely traumatised. I do not know whether they got his wallet or even if robbery was the reason for the attack. I doubt very much that he will be able to identify any of his attackers. Sadly I can’t either.
I did manage to get the licence plate of the getaway vehicle but could only say that there were four or five Polynesian boys involved in the actual attack. They all looked like teenagers to me but I couldn’t swear to that. And, incredibly, some of them were laughing as they drove away.
What I will say is that they are cowards. While I’m sure they will believe themselves to be budding gangsters they are in fact just gutless bastards. They hunt in packs and use weapons. They stand for nothing and respect no one.
And given their youth, (despite the fact that I’m told eight of them have been apprehended after a ‘string of incidents’), they know they will almost certainly get away with a slap on the wrist at worst and any lawyer who reads this will accuse me of prejudicing the case.
However, I’m writing it anyway because in the unlikely event that any of these kids gets to court the bleeding hearts will focus on their underprivileged upbringing, peer pressure, financial hardship and everything but the spineless, racist truth.
Once were warriors, now just cowards.
(Postscript: A good friend advised me not to write this because it might cause certain low lives to hunt me down. He has a point: They might just be brave enough to beat up a 67 years old pensioner. Such heroes.)
Good on you for speaking your truth.
Well spoken John.. you are quite right.. we need to call it like it is…
Cheers to you John,Im100% in agreement with every word you have written
Kia Ora John….Why are you so surprised and why so tough on your fellow kiwis? I challenge you to find one who condones the bashing of Asians for the reasons you say. Most people wont speak up because they know the justice system is so weak. Gangs and thugs have been around forever and most are low IQ miscreants with nothing better to do. Even I have been on the end of a scuffle, Maori on Maori no reason just any reason. Are you sure your account of the Polynesian brawl on the Japanese bloke was for the reasons you say? Here’s the point. You talk about PC but PC is not the cause of our woes, the problem is blind blatant intolerance of difference. I argue the opposite that PC is really a harbor for closet racists who think they can say what they like and get away with it. Too often PC is the tool that bigots use to justify their actions disguised “free speech”.
This is where history is our best guide. In 1788, Europeans invaded Australia and a bit later NZ and stole land and jobs from the locals. Some of them tried to fight back and others made deals just to stay alive and survive. Many fought bravely and justifiably for the very reasons you say to save their land and jobs from foreigner and you couldn’t blame them. Back then there was no concept of PC and absolutely nothing to protect the locals from injustice and racist attacks. While you raise some good points about thuggery against Asians in later day NZ, where were the masses crying out for justice back in 1788…exactly the same as what is happening now…people dont care enough to speak up.
Criminals and thugs exist in any age but please do not privilege one-off youthful brawls of Polynesian youth with a premeditated xenophobic hysterical causation. You might find that disaffected drunken louts would brawl with anyone who was around, Polynesian or Asian. It is true that we have reached a point of crisis in NZ where Asians out number and dominate native kiwis but this is social evolution in action. It has nothing to do with PC. lest we forget that life is not static and nothing stays the same…. Chur Bro Dave Te (Ngati Raukawa)
Hi Dave,
Of course I’m not certain about the motivations of these boys. Who could be? All I know is that the attack was brutal, cowardly and pre-meditated, (there was even a lookout vehicle). The victim was a small, innocent, defenceless Japanese man who only came to play golf. I also know they did not rob him and they were laughing as they drove away. If it walks like a duck as they say …
And I do know it is not a ‘one-off incident’, which my discussions with the police confirmed. When I wrote about this a few months back, ( as a result of the undeniable and scary trend of Asian bashing – tourists and dairy owners among them), I was as sincere in my concern as I am now.
While I understand your intent and context I believe saying ‘Asians outnumber and dominate native Kiwis’ (is this even true?) echoes the very resentment that is triggering the problem. I may be wrong, I hope I am, but I doubt it.
My own grandchildren have told me they have heard anti-Asian sentiments voiced by their peers. And always the same old, same old ‘stealing jobs’ nugget is dragged up. Somebody please send me the job ad that says ‘Only Asians need apply’.
You mention violence ‘Maori on Maori’ but I was NOT saying Maori, I said Polynesian teenagers, which was simply the truth.
However, on the subject of violence: New Zealand is indisputably a very violent society. We punch above our weight in a bad way. I believe we hold the sad distinction of having the worst domestic violence record in the world.
And none of this has anything to do with what happened over 200 years ago, unless you want to include tribal attacks and cannibalism.
My point was that this act was cowardly and part of a trend. Nothing you have said sways me from that view.
I am not now or ever have been a closet racist. I hate cowards of every race, creed and colour.
Regards,
John
I’m sorry John, but NZ s racial problems have deep roots back in history – racism is a learnt behaviour and its no accident that many Polynesians (and pakeha) walk around with hatred for foreigners which has been bred into them from their parents experiences and carried through memes down the generations. Rightly or wrongly it happens and not forgetting that anti Asian sentiment is fed by sensationalist old school “white” conservative kiwis who want to say they aren’t racist but still believe that our future is with the UK. Australia where I am has its own share of politicians who believe the same thing and are now targeting kiwis. What I mean is that these thugs will pick fights with anyone and I was in the firing line once even though I was supposedly “one of them”. Anyway cheers mate your points are well made but I think we should be careful not to make a big nasty narrative out of the actions of a few cowardly drunken thugs. Yes there have been one too many so called racist attacks but this happened in Wellington in the 1970s when Greeks and Italians were the targets its just that we didnt hear about it. In terms of discrimination in the job market, lets just say that all employers are entitled to hire who they like but when being Asian is preferable to being kiwi then we have a really fertile source of racial discontent. Cowards will be cowards and racists will be racist but we ought to remeber that we are all capable of being one or the other when mob mentality and irrationality takes over. Cheers dave
I am a proud New Zealander…living in Northern California. I’ve been here many years and I am always amazed at how many people say to me when they hear that I am a Kiwi…”.NEW ZEALAND…I’ve always wanted to go there. I hear there is very little crime down there”. I always reply…yes, that’s true.
But the last couple of times I have been home I have been shocked at the murders, child abuse cases, thieves,thugs and shocking crimes I read about in the newspaper or hear on the news. It seems life is no longer safe and Ideallic as it was when I grew up there. I lived in Wellington in the 70’s and shared a flat up on Landcross Street. I would work at an Insurance Company during the day and then at a restaurant on Lambton Quay several nights a week. I would walk home around 10pm every night all the way up Cuba Street and the thought of being robbed, attacked or something worse never crossed my mind. I doubt it could be done today. How sad…I always used to tell people there is very little crime in New Zealand, but apparently I am wrong.
Violence has always been a big part of NZ just that we see more reports about it now….I recall the dark days in the 1970s Wellington, pub brawls and fights everywhere at closing time remembering that security was very poor and primitive back then. Thank your lucky stars that fire arms are not part of the scene unlike the USA. Imagine the gun violence if the Mongrel mob and black power were armed. I say that NZ is relatively safe as long as you stay alert and stick to the beaten tracks. What would you prefer, gun riddled south Los Angeles on a Friday night or boringville downtown Wellington? Funny thing exaggeration and hype.
Hi Sandra,
poverty (in mind, spirit and money), alcohol and methamphetamine lie at the root of New Zealand’s current problems with violence. The fact that the biggest abusers are those who can least afford it notwithstanding. And despite any protestations you might hear there is no doubt whatsoever that NZ is more dangerous now than in the 70s. As for ‘sticking to the beaten tracks’ try downtown Queen Street, Auckland, on a late Friday or Saturday night. Scary and dangerous. Figuratively New Zealand punches above its weight in ways that make me proud but also, more literally, in ways that should make us all hang our heads in shame. You are safer in Times Square New York at 2am than virtually any main street in New Zealand at that hour. Sad but true. As for guns…the gangs have them. This not exaggeration or hype but the truth.
Hi John…I havent heard about too much gun gang violence in NZ lately, give me some stats if you can. Yes Queen street is a bit seedy late at night but so is the Stand in afluent Tauranga and the worst you can ever expect is a few punches to the head. This stuff has been going on forever. Nor can I recall a murder in Queen street for a while, a few muggings maybe but we have this stuff on the docile streets of Brisbane. This is what you get when you mix alcohol and testosterone fueled youthful exuberance, its totally normal if you think about it. No city is ever proud of their street violence but its just a part of our alcohol culture in NZ and Aust. I felt more unsafe in Taihape during the 1960s when all the cashed up shearers came to town full of bad manners looking for trouble.. but you’re dead right, I did feel completely safe in Times Square at 2am buying pizza, but probably because I am a 120Kgs, 6’1″ tall Polynesian male.
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