Colonisation does not uphold itself voluntarily. Like any structure, with time, if neglected, it will begin to crumble. - Tina Ngata

The trope of the savage indigenous man is one that is capitalised upon by media and state in a way that is harmful and diminishing.

While every New Zealand election is customarily (and also unacceptably) characterised by race-baiting politics and the throwing of whānau Māori under the colonial bus for the sake of majority votes, this year we’ve seen multiple lines crossed that indicate a mainstreaming of extreme, violent anti-Māori rhetoric.

The fires of colonization robbed us of so much.