Orewa Speech
Encyclopedia
The Orewa Speech was a speech delivered by the then-leader of the New Zealand National Party
Don Brash
to the Orewa
Rotary
Club on 27 January 2004. It addressed the theme of race relations in New Zealand
and in particular the special status of Māori people. Brash approached the once-taboo
subject by advocating 'one rule for all' and ending what he saw as the Māori's special privileges.
", winning support for his party by fuelling racist sentiment toward Māoridom. The speech itself was framed in terms of equality and pragmatism, arguing for dispensing with affirmative action
programmes and poorly understood references in legislation to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi
, and ending the alleged "Treaty of Waitangi Grievance Industry". His speech was criticised by lecturer and political writer Jon Johansson as "[w]hether intended or not, the Orewa speech reinforced the ignorant and racist stereotype that Māori were 'savages' before the 'gift' of European civilisation was visited upon them."
The speech resulted in a major surge for the National Party, which had been languishing from an overwhelming defeat at the 2002 election
. From 28% in the polls a month before the speech, the National Party jumped to 45% two weeks after it: ten points ahead of Labour
. Polls showed that many Māori were comfortable with Brash's speech, and the National Party threw its support behind it, although Georgina te Heuheu
was removed as National's Māori Affairs spokeswoman after criticising it. It was instrumental in establishing a public profile for Don Brash, who had only recently become the party's leader.
Subsequent to the speech, Brash's catch-cry "need not race" was taken up by the other side of the political divide, the governing Labour
-Progressive
coalition. An audit of government programmes was put in place to determine whether there were race-based programmes where need-based programmes would suffice.
Nicky Hager
's 2006 book The Hollow Men claims that the speech was written, in part, by Michael Bassett
, a claim denied by Bassett.
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
Don Brash
Don Brash
Donald "Don" Thomas Brash , a New Zealand politician, was Leader of the Opposition, parliamentary leader of the National Party from 28 October 2003 to 27 November 2006 and the leader of the ACT Party for 28th April 2011 - 26 November 2011...
to the Orewa
Orewa
Orewa, a town in New Zealand's North Island lies on the Hibiscus Coast, just north of the base of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and 40 kilometres north of central Auckland. Orewa's population was 7,326 in the 2006 Census, an increase of 1,692 from 2001. It is a popular holiday destination...
Rotary
Rotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
Club on 27 January 2004. It addressed the theme of race relations in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and in particular the special status of Māori people. Brash approached the once-taboo
Taboo
A taboo is a strong social prohibition relating to any area of human activity or social custom that is sacred and or forbidden based on moral judgment, religious beliefs and or scientific consensus. Breaking the taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent by society...
subject by advocating 'one rule for all' and ending what he saw as the Māori's special privileges.
Reaction
The speech was criticised not so much for its substance but for a perceived political intent behind it. It was widely claimed that Brash was "playing the race cardRace card
Playing the race card is an idiomatic phrase that refers to exploitation of either racist or anti-racist attitudes to gain a personal advantage, typically by falsely accusing others of racism against oneself.-Usage:...
", winning support for his party by fuelling racist sentiment toward Māoridom. The speech itself was framed in terms of equality and pragmatism, arguing for dispensing with affirmative action
Affirmative action
Affirmative action refers to policies that take factors including "race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national origin" into consideration in order to benefit an underrepresented group, usually as a means to counter the effects of a history of discrimination.-Origins:The term...
programmes and poorly understood references in legislation to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi
Treaty of Waitangi
The Treaty of Waitangi is a treaty first signed on 6 February 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and various Māori chiefs from the North Island of New Zealand....
, and ending the alleged "Treaty of Waitangi Grievance Industry". His speech was criticised by lecturer and political writer Jon Johansson as "[w]hether intended or not, the Orewa speech reinforced the ignorant and racist stereotype that Māori were 'savages' before the 'gift' of European civilisation was visited upon them."
The speech resulted in a major surge for the National Party, which had been languishing from an overwhelming defeat at the 2002 election
New Zealand general election, 2002
The 2002 New Zealand general election was held on 27 July 2002 to determine the composition of the 47th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the reelection of Helen Clark's Labour Party government, as well as the worst-ever performance by the opposition National Party.Arguably the most controversial...
. From 28% in the polls a month before the speech, the National Party jumped to 45% two weeks after it: ten points ahead of Labour
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
. Polls showed that many Māori were comfortable with Brash's speech, and the National Party threw its support behind it, although Georgina te Heuheu
Georgina Te Heuheu
Georgina Manunui te Heuheu QSO is a Māori descent of Tūhoe, Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa and Ngāti Awa. MP in the New Zealand National Party and a Cabinet Minister in the New Zealand Government.-Early life:...
was removed as National's Māori Affairs spokeswoman after criticising it. It was instrumental in establishing a public profile for Don Brash, who had only recently become the party's leader.
Subsequent to the speech, Brash's catch-cry "need not race" was taken up by the other side of the political divide, the governing Labour
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
-Progressive
New Zealand Progressive Party
Jim Anderton's Progressive Party , is a New Zealand political party generally somewhat to the left of its ally, the Labour Party....
coalition. An audit of government programmes was put in place to determine whether there were race-based programmes where need-based programmes would suffice.
Legacy
Brash returned to Orewa on 25 January 2005, hoping to capitalise on the previous year's success, and gave a speech on social welfare and on welfare dependency. This speech, dubbed Orewa 2, failed to generate the publicity of the original. Brash has returned to make annual 'Orewa speeches' every year since, on a wide range of topics.Nicky Hager
Nicky Hager
Nicky Hager is an author and investigative journalist born in Levin, New Zealand and now resides in Wellington. He generally writes about issues involving intelligence networks, environmental issues and politics. He has degrees in physics and philosophy...
's 2006 book The Hollow Men claims that the speech was written, in part, by Michael Bassett
Michael Bassett
Michael Edward Rainton Bassett, QSO is a former Labour Party member of the New Zealand House of Representatives and cabinet minister in the reformist fourth Labour government...
, a claim denied by Bassett.
See also
- Treaty of Waitangi claims and settlements