Latest news with #HarmonyAccord
NZ Herald
24-07-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
First details - who could benefit from Golden Visa scheme?
'We can be a model for other countries' Muslim and Jewish leaders sign Harmony Accord NZ Jewish Council president and Federation of Islamic Assoc of NZ spokesperson Abdur Razzaq on the signing of Harmony Accord.
Scoop
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
FIANZ Calls For ‘Hate Speech' Laws Again; Is Their Harmony Accord Commitment Real?
The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) once again is calling for 'hate speech' laws against their critics in the name of social cohesion. This undermines the spirit of the Harmony Accord, which is a promising document to foster mutual understanding through dialogue, says Stephen Franks, Chairperson of the Free Speech Union. 'The Accord expressly commits the parties to respecting freedom of speech. If FIANZ has immediately reneged, their commitment is suspect. Defining and seeking punishment for 'Islamophobia' has been the Trojan horse for resuscitating blasphemy laws in other free societies. Leading politicians in the UK are currently fighting against such an attempt. 'Censorship is poison to social cohesion. People charged or jailed for expressing fears about a religion will rationally resent the groups asking the Police to silence their fears. We're seeing the results right now in the UK, in the disorder fueled by long suppression of the truth about the rape grooming gangs, and the gags on questioning illegal immigration. 'Proposals to criminalise criticism of religion, even under the banner of combating 'hate', would grant religious beliefs legal privileges that conflict with liberal democratic values. New Zealanders must remain free to challenge and debate religious doctrines without the threat of prosecution. 'Censorship is counterproductive. It does nothing to change views. It often draws more attention to the very opinions it's trying to ban. Counter-speech is more constructive. It allows bad ideas to be challenged, not buried. The Government has already rightly rejected 'hate speech' laws after tens of thousands of Kiwis pushed back. 'We should not risk turning an Accord that shows tolerance and mutual respect into scheming to undermine core democratic freedoms. A forced silence is not social cohesion.'
NZ Herald
24-07-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
The Government's homelessness problem; Christopher Luxon and his minced oath
Lobbying by Waikato University paid off and, after convincing National to promise a third medical school last election, specialising in general practice, it has not only been confirmed by Cabinet but at a cost of $200 million less to the Crown than originally estimated. The savings are said to come from ditching previous plans to build regional outposts for the medical school and to use existing facilities instead. We won't know where and how many, even after the business plan is released this week. An artist's impression of the new school. Photo / Supplied. A couple of dozen options are being considered, it is understood, and they will be reduced to about a dozen outposts after discussions with the regions. One could assume, however, that places being considered for outposts would include regions such as Northland, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Manawatū, and possibly several regions in the South Island. While the medical school will have a bias towards producing GPs, because much of its coursework is going to be in the regions, it will need to have clinical leadership in those regions and getting that tied down will be a major hurdle before it is due to take its first intake in 2028. The big danger for such a small country is that medical expertise will be spread more thinly across three medical schools. Kate MacNamara has done a piece on how much consultants have been paid on the project since the Government came to power. Disharmony over Harmony Accord What looked like a Kumbaya story this week has turned a little discordant. An initiative by Ethnic Communities Minister Mark Mitchell to establish the foundations for ongoing co-operation between Muslim and Jewish groups has been criticised for not being inclusive. The NZ Harmony Accord was signed by the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand and several Jewish organisations on Tuesday at Government House in Auckland. But a group of 20 Islamic organisations and 18 Imams and Islamic scholars issued a statement rejecting the Accord, saying there had been a lack of consultation by both the Government and the Federation of Islamic Associations. The statement also said they were disappointed the Accord made no mention of the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which leading humanitarian groups said constituted war crimes and acts of genocide. On the same day, New Zealand joined 27 other countries to call on the war to end now. They were responding to horrifying scenes in Gaza, of starvation and of civilians having been killed as they sought food. 'Israel's military response to the events of October 7 2023 [when Hamas killed 1200 Israelis] long ago ceased to be proportionate, reasonable or moral,' Foreign Minister Winston Peters told Parliament. Christopher Luxon and his minced oath You can tell that the Prime Minister has felt the heat this week because he has been a little sweary. First, he referred to Labour leader Chris Hipkins as 'frickin Hipkins,' and then he accused him of asking a 'smart-arse' question. 'Frickin' is what is known as a 'minced oath' or a milder way of using a more offensive word. It's the PM's way of meaning 'f***ing' but not saying it. And in this case, Luxon was responding to criticism that only 153 families were receiving the full rebate in the Family Boost policy. 'I'm not taking any lectures from frickin' Chris Hipkins or the Labour Party,' Luxon said. 'They have no idea what to do. They put us in this mess.' Luxon was probably right about the 'smart-arse' question. Hipkins said: 'How many blocks of butter can he buy for the $60 a week he claims to spend on groceries?' The reference to $60 comes from the final election debate between the two in which Luxon said he spent that amount in a week, before clarifying it was only for three breakfasts and one other meal. Pity poor Mark Patterson, however, who also thought he could get away with saying 'arse' in the House, but was upbraided by assistant speaker Barbara Kuriger. 'Do you think that the farmers, the exporters, the foresters give a rat's arse about Greek philosophy?' Patterson said, after a Green MP mentioned the freedom of expression beginning as a Greek concept. Patterson modified his language to 'rat's derriere'. By the way... Maiden speech: New Zealand First MP Dr David Wilson, who has been sworn in to replace retiring MP Tanya Unkovich, gives his maiden speech tonight at 5.40pm. Wilson has previously talked freely about having been the victim of an investment scam in which he lost $200,000. And they're off: Labour's campaign team is off to an early start with Beth Houston, a former party vice-president, getting to work this week as campaign manager for the 2026 election. The general secretary remains Rob Salmond and party president is Jill Day. National has not settled on its campaign manager yet but it is likely to again be senior MP Chris Bishop. Quote unquote 'I've been very surprised at the almost breathless excitement of the blow by blow of what happened in that meeting.' Finance Minister Nicola Willis plays down her meeting with Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell about the price of butter, inter alia. Micro quiz Who is Labour's housing spokesperson? (Answer at the bottom of this article.) Brickbat Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters. Photo / Mark Mitchell Goes to Foreign Minister Winston Peters for refusing to answer a question in Parliament yesterday about the UN Oceans conference he attended in France because the Green MP asking it referred to 'Aotearoa New Zealand'. Quel disgrace. Bouquet Act Leader David Seymour. Photo / Mark Mitchell Goes to Act leader David Seymour for keeping the Government's feet to the fire over the Waikato University Medical School, its need and its costs. This week's top headlines Homelessness: Government report on homelessness shows the number of people living without shelter 'appears' to be outstripping population growth. Price of butter: Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell discuss butter prices with no immediate relief. Police numbers: The Government's 500 police target it delayed again as an Australia poaching campaign is considered. Sport NZ: The Government has forced Sport NZ to ditch transgender guidelines as they don't align with its coalition agreement. Foreign buyers ban: Winston Peters says change is likely to be announced this year, but denies NZ First is 'softening'. NZ Harmony Accord: Mark Mitchell says Muslim and Jewish leaders are sending a powerful message in the signing of a new agreement. Policy stoush: Christopher Luxon mouths off at 'frickin' Chris Hipkins over cost of living policy stoush. Conflict of interest: University of Waikato vice-chancellor Neil Quigley denies any conflict of interest exists in balancing his role as Reserve Bank chairman and his university receiving $82 million from the Government. Orr's resignation: RBNZ chairman Neil Quigley apologised for Adrian Orr losing his cool in the lead-up to his shock resignation. FamilyBoost: Just 153 families are getting the maximum $75 weekly childcare tax credit. NCEA: A Government briefing has raised significant concerns about the credibility of NCEA. Quiz answer: Kieran McAnulty
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Jewish And Muslim Communities Unite To Combat Hate In Harmony Accord
The New Zealand Jewish Council has today signed the New Zealand Harmony Accord, alongside Muslim community leaders, as a step toward strengthening understanding and addressing Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate and extremism. The Accord, which was spearheaded by the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, aims to lay a foundation for constructive interfaith dialogue and cooperation based on shared values, mutual respect, and a commitment to peaceful coexistence. The New Zealand Jewish Council signed the Accord on behalf of its affiliated communities: the Auckland Hebrew Congregation, the Progressive Jewish Congregation of Auckland, the Waikato Jewish Association, the Wellington Jewish Community, the Wellington Progressive Jewish Congregation, the Nelson Jewish Community, the Christchurch Hebrew Congregation, and the Southern Lakes Jewish Community. 'This Accord represents an opportunity to work together more intentionally in confronting rising hate,' said Juliet Moses, President of the New Zealand Jewish Council. 'Antisemitism has significantly increased in New Zealand over the past two years, fuelled by global tensions and a concerning spread of disinformation and polarisation.' By signing the Harmony Accord, the Jewish and Muslim communities are affirming a shared intention to engage across differences. 'Islamophobia and Antisemitism stem from many of the same root causes, fear, ignorance, and the tendency to dehumanise 'the other',' said Moses. 'We hope this Accord can be a first step toward deeper understanding and stronger relationships.' The Accord outlines shared principles of trust, safety, education, and pluralism, and commits signatories to continued dialogue and collaborative initiatives. It also proposes the formation of a Leadership Council to help guide its implementation and offer a joint response mechanism during times of stress or division. 'We are hopeful this can be the beginning of a constructive and sustained conversation,' Moses said. 'There is much work to be done, but this could be a meaningful step in the right direction.. We look forward to supporting each other, and to show that there is a better path forward, not just for our communities, but for all New Zealanders.'
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Not In Our Name
While our brothers and sisters in Gaza collapse from starvation and babies are dying for lack of milk, we are deeply shocked and dismayed by the recent signing of the so-called 'Harmony Accord.' This agreement, signed in our community's name yet without our full knowledge, consultation, or consent, fails to address the urgent realities and immense suffering endured by the Palestinian people. We believe in peace, justice, and coexistence. But true harmony cannot be built on selective morality, silence in the face of genocide, or agreements that ignore power imbalances and ongoing crimes against humanity. Any accord claiming to represent Muslim voices must do so with integrity, transparency, and in true alignment with the pain and priorities of our community, especially in these times of extreme crisis. This statement serves as a clear rejection of the legitimacy of this accord in our name. We stand firmly with the oppressed. We speak for the hungry. We refuse to allow our name, identity, or religion to be used to endorse anything that does not reflect our collective conscience. Not in our name.
