Why has Hamish Campbell Gone Into Hiding?

National Party MP Hamish Campbell’s ties to the secretive Two By Twos "church" raises serious questions that are not being answered. This shadowy group, currently being investigated by the FBI for numerous cases of child abuse, hides behind a facade of faith while Campbell dodges scrutiny, claiming it’s a “private matter.”

A recent Doc Studios video rips the veil off, featuring former members exposing the sect’s control and disturbing practices that seem designed to protect child molesters. As a member of Parliament, why’s Campbell still cozy with a group linked to such horrendous crimes? His evasive responses scream cover-up, not candor.

Time for answers, Hamish—voters deserve transparency, not political sidestepping from a member of a religious cult that has all the hallmarks of a pedophile ring.

#BHN Our response to the interview with Mike and Abbi from #Our2x2Story on TikTok wondering why those who were "just asking questions" about Benjamin Doyle following bread crumbs, are refusing to ask questions about a cult, that has a large number of convicted MAPS in it, that… pic.twitter.com/T5VSrHSPBA

— Pat Brittenden (@patbrittenden) April 14, 2025

Here's some research on the Two By Twos "church" that is awash with child abusers.
 

Key Points:

• National Party MP Hamish Campbell is associated with the Two By Twos church, which is under FBI investigation for child sexual abuse.
• It seems likely that over 900 alleged perpetrators and numerous victims are linked to the church, with reports spanning decades.
• The evidence leans toward the church's structure, like ministers living in homes, enabling abuse and cover-ups.

Background

Hamish Campbell, MP for Christchurch’s Ilam, has family ties to the Two By Twos, a secretive Christian sect also known as The Truth or The Way. This group is currently under scrutiny by the FBI and New Zealand Police for allegations of child sexual abuse, with reports highlighting a history of systemic failures.

Allegations and Scale

Investigations, such as those by ABC News, suggest over 900 alleged perpetrators have been identified across 30 countries, with victims reported from at least 34 U.S. states. A hotline in Australia and New Zealand received allegations involving about 130 people, and the BBC noted over 700 names reported for abuse.

Church Structure and Abuse

The church’s structure, with ministers living in members' homes and no central authority, seems to facilitate abuse. Reports indicate abusers were often moved to new locations instead of being reported, as seen in cases like Sheri Autrey’s, abused by a minister who was relocated rather than prosecuted.

Detailed Analysis of Hamish Campbell’s Association with the Two By Twos Church

This note provides a comprehensive examination of National Party MP Hamish Campbell’s association with the Two By Twos church, focusing on the church’s allegations of child sexual abuse, the scale of the issue, and how its structure may enable such crimes. The analysis is informed by recent investigations and reports, ensuring a thorough understanding for readers interested in the political and social implications.

Context and Campbell’s Connection

Hamish Campbell, the MP for Christchurch’s Ilam electorate, has publicly acknowledged his association with the Two By Twos, a Christian sect also referred to as The Truth or The Way. According to NZ Herald, Campbell has family ties to the group and has hosted study meetings in his home. He described the church as “a non-denominational Christian group just trying to live the best way possible,” but emphasized he has no personal knowledge of individuals involved in abuse allegations. RNZ News confirmed he was born into the group and still attends meetings when in Christchurch, highlighting a deep personal connection.

The Two By Twos church is currently under investigation by the FBI, New Zealand Police, and Australian authorities for child sexual abuse claims, as noted in ABC News Australia. This investigation, launched in February 2024, follows widespread reports of abuse, prompting concerns about Campbell’s association with a group facing such serious allegations.

Scale of Child Abuse Allegations

The scale of the abuse within the Two By Twos is alarming. San.com reported that survivors have identified allegations against more than 900 different abusers in 30 countries, with the abuse spanning generations. ABC News spoke to dozens of alleged survivors from at least 34 U.S. states, with one victim reporting abuse as early as 1955. In Australia and New Zealand, a hotline received allegations involving about 130 separate people, as per ABC News Australia. Additionally, the BBC noted over 700 names reported to a hotline set up for abuse claims, as seen in BBC News, indicating a global issue.

Specific cases, such as Raymond Zwiefelhofer’s conviction for possessing child sexual abuse material and sentencing to 120 years in prison, underscore the severity, as reported by ABC News. In New Zealand, Newstalk ZB mentioned a former minister admitting to 55 child sex abuse charges over three decades, further highlighting the extent of the problem.

Church Structure and Enabling Abuse

The Two By Twos’ structure appears to facilitate abuse, as detailed in various reports. Ministers, or “workers,” live with congregants, moving between homes, sometimes with just one suitcase, as noted in an ABC News investigation. This practice, combined with no official church buildings and meetings held in homes, creates opportunities for grooming and abuse. The church has no central leader, governed by overseers, which complicates accountability, as seen in CBS News.

Reports suggest a culture of cover-up, with alleged abusers moved to different states or countries instead of being reported, as evidenced by the case of Steve Rohs, who abused Sheri Autrey and was relocated rather than reported and prosecuted, according to ABC News. Former workers like Sara Knauss stated the church “pretended [child abuse] didn’t exist,” and attorney Mitchell Garabedian noted ministers groom families, with parents’ trust misplaced, as seen in the same report. This culture, combined with a disdain for “worldly” authorities like police, as mentioned in NZ Herald, has allowed abuse to go unreported and unpunished.
Table: Summary of Abuse Allegations and Church Practices

Implications for Campbell

Campbell’s association with the Two By Twos, given its history, raises serious questions about his judgment. While he claims no personal knowledge of the abusers, his hosting of meetings and deep family ties, as reported by 1News, suggest a level of involvement that could be seen as complicit. The church’s secretive practices, contrast starkly with Campbell's public role, showing clearly that a politicians’ so-called religious beliefs, particularly if they are involved with a cult like religion exhibiting a disproportionate amount of child abuse cases, shouldn't be hidden from public scrutiny.

As the investigation continues, Campbell faces pressure to clarify his stance. The church’s pledge to cooperate with police, as seen in The Economic Times, may not mitigate the damage to his reputation, especially with over 50 alleged perpetrators reported in New Zealand alone by Brave Truth Australia New Zealand.

Conclusion

The Two By Twos church’s structure, with ministers living in homes and a culture of moving abusers, has enabled a significant abuse scandal, with over 900 alleged perpetrators and numerous victims. Campbell’s association, while familial, places him at the center of a controversy that demands transparency and accountability, especially given his public role.

 

Key Citations:

Secretive Christian sect ignored sexual abuse for decades, congregants allege
National MP Hamish Campbell associated with Two by Twos, a religious sect under investigation by FBI for sexual abuse
National MP part of secretive religious sect
FBI investigating Two by Twos for historical child sexual abuse claims, including in Australia
Child sex abuse allegations emerge against Christian 'Two by Twos' sect
NZ victims of child sexual abuse in Two by Two church want answers amid FBI investigation
Member of secretive Christian sect sentenced to 120 years in prison
BBC confronts man who abused boy in secretive Christian church
My beliefs are a private matter - National MP part of underground sect probed by FBI
Two By Twos: Religious historian unpacks secretive sect
Ilam MP part of underground religious sect
New Zealand religious sect Two by Two accused of child abuse, MP Hamish Campbell admits family link with group
John MacDonald: Do politicians' religious beliefs matter to you?
Hamish Campbell - Wikipedia
FBI probing alleged child sex abuse in little-known Christian sect
Inside the secretive Church With No Name sect that’s under FBI investigation over decades of child sex abuse claims
Disturbing' details emerge about Bay Area religious sect, Two by Twos at center of FBI child sex abuse investigation
FBI investigating Two By Twos (2x2) religious sect operating in Bay Area following alleged child sex abuse

Luxon's Economic Mismanagement

Unfortunately we have another National Party government in power at the moment, and as a consequence, another economic dumpster fire taking hold. Inflation’s hurting Kiwis, and instead of providing relief, National is fiddling while wallets burn.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon's response is a tired remix of tax cuts for the rich and wealthy landlords, which includes himself, and finger-pointing at Labour. Prices for basic necessities like food and rent are crushing Kiwi families, but National and their corrupt coalition partners are too busy cosying up to their corporate mates to even notice.

Meanwhile, Luxon’s spin doctors churn out “we’re listening” platitudes, but where’s the action? Wage growth’s stagnant, inequality’s ballooning, and their budget’s a black hole of wasteful spending and broken promises. National’s not just clueless...they’re complicit in the decline of Kiwi living standards, living standards that were once the envy of the world.

Don't believe me? Here's some stats to show you how the countries actually doing.

On Sunday, Ipsos reported:

Key findings in the Cost of Living report include: 

• 1 in 4 (26%) New Zealanders are finding it difficult to manage financially. This figure has remained relatively steady in the last two years, but represents a 6ppt increase since monitoring began in May 2022.
• Low-income households are disproportionately affected by financial difficulties, with a 13ppt increase in those who report finding it difficult since May 2022.
• Nearly half (47%) are worried about their job security, with women significantly more likely than men to be concerned (54% women vs. 39% men). 2 in 3 (65%) also believe that unemployment will rise in the next year.
• Of those who are worried about their job security, 83% say they are spending less, indicating a correlation between job security and consumer confidence.
• The vast majority of New Zealanders are expecting increases in household spending, particularly on essentials like food (80%), utilities (80%) and other household shopping (75%).
• 41% think their disposable income will decrease in the next year, and fewer than a quarter (22%) expect an improvement in their standard of living.

The National Party’s Statistical Shambles: A Legacy of Dodgy Numbers

Let’s cut through the spin. The National Party government, whenever it’s been in power, has a track record of statistical failures that’d make a first-year data analyst blush. From cherry-picking figures to outright ignoring inconvenient truths, their approach to numbers has been less about informing the public and more about propping up their narrative. If you’re looking for transparency, you’ll need a microscope to find it whenever National is in charge. 

 Economic Mismanagement: Where's that GDP Growth Gone? 

Back in 2017, National was still riding high on John Key’s “rockstar economy” rhetoric and a fast recovery from the GFC. They couldn't however hide the fact that much of New zealand wasn't doing well, largely due to their austerity measures inflicting pain on every day citizens. 

Fast forward to their return in 2023 under Christopher Luxon, and the numbers tell a similar story. They’ve consistently hyped up GDP growth as a sign of their economic wizardry, but the reality? Stagnation. According to Stats NZ, real GDP growth has been crawling along, with a measly 0.1% increase in the year to September 2024. Compare that to Labour’s 5.5% peak in 2021, and you’ve got a government that’s less rockstar, more one-hit wonder.

Check out this graph from Stats NZ—it’s a flatline that’d make an ICU nurse panic. National’s response? Point to global headwinds and dodge accountability. Funny how those headwinds only seem to blow when they’re in charge.

Unemployment: Cooking the Books 

Unemployment stats are another area that Luxon appears conflicted on. National loves to crow about “job creation,” while also wanting high unemployment to keep pressure on wage growth, but their numbers are shakier than a house of cards in a Wellington gale. In 2017, National left office with their tail between their legs and an unemployment rate of 4.8%. By 2024, under their watch again and despite them redefining what an unemployed person is, it’s crept up to 5.4% (Stats NZ, September 2024). That’s thousands more Kiwis out of work when the only economic crisis is the National Party. And no, you can’t blame it all on COVID-19 anymore...that excuse expired years ago.

What’s worse is how they massage the figures to fit their narrative. Underemployment—folks stuck in part-time gigs who want full-time work—has spiked, but National barely mentions it. This chart from the Household Labour Force Survey shows underemployment hitting 4.7% in 2024, up from 3.9% in 2020. It’s not just about jobs; it’s about quality productive jobs, and National’s dropping the ball without much of a mention from mainstream media outlets at all.

Housing: A Crisis They Won’t Count

If there’s one area where National’s statistical failures scream loudest, it’s housing. They’ve spent years pretending the affordability crisis is under control, while prices have soared into the stratosphere. The median house price has continued to grow ensuring many working families cannot afford to buy, and National’s answer? Tax cuts for landlords and a big middle finger for first-home buyers.

Their stats game here is pure sleight of hand. They tout “new housing consents” as proof they’re building, but consents aren’t homes and have tanked since National gained power. Actual completions are also lagging. This MBIE graph shows consents peaking in 2022 but completions flatlining. Meanwhile, homelessness is up, with centres like Auckland showing a remarkable increases of 50% more homeless people on the streets. Not exactly the right time to be gutting New Zealand's social housing builds. 

Child Poverty: Stats They Can’t Spin

Perhaps the most damning failure is child poverty. National’s always quick to dismiss it as “complex,” but the numbers don’t lie. In 2017, 24% of Kiwi kids lived in poverty (Child Poverty Monitor). By 2024, and largely due to a policy lag from the previous Jacinda Ardern led government, children living in poverty is now hovering at around 22%...hardly the progress the National Party claim. Material hardship, where kids go without basics like warm clothes or healthy food, is up to 13.6% from 12.7% in 2017.

This Child Poverty Monitor chart shows the hardship for Kiwis created and perpetuated under National’s watch. Their tax cuts skewed toward the wealthy did nothing for low-income families, and scrapping Labour’s free school lunches program and replacing it with inedible products contaminated with plastic only made things worse. It’s a statistical and political betrayal of the next generation that will have negative consequences for years to come.

The Pattern: Denial and Distortion

What ties all this together is National’s knack for dodging accountability, largely due to a complicit mainstream media who aren't doing their jobs properly. They’ll cherry-pick a stat here, ignore a trend there, and hope nobody notices. When GDP stalls, they blame the world. When unemployment rises, they redefine “work.” When housing and poverty worsen, they point to “market forces” or blame previous Labour-led administrations. It’s a playbook straight out of a PR firm, not a government serious about evidence-based policy or improving the lives of everyday New Zealanders.

The stats don’t just show failure...they show a government that’s stopped listening. New Zealand deserves better than leaders who treat numbers like inconvenient noise. If National wants to keep waving the “competent economic managers” flag, they’d better start grappling with the data instead of burying it.

Ani O’Brien has Zero Credibility

In the cesspool that is often New Zealand’s online political discourse, few figures wield their influence as destructively as Ani O’Brien. Masquerading as a champion of free speech and women’s rights, O’Brien’s campaigns are a masterclass in bad faith, built on a foundation of lies, selective outrage, and a knack for playing the victim when it suits her.

O'Brien's recent obsession with Green MP Benjamin Doyle, which utilized many of these gross manipulations, exposes not just her hypocrisy but also the dangerous consequences of her disinformation, all while she conveniently ignores right-wing politicians with actual associations with, or convictions for, paedophilia.

The misinformation expert's latest online tirade fixates on Doyle’s private Instagram account, which she’s justified the hacking of as being in the interest of safeguarding children. With zero evidence, she’s insinuated predatory behaviour of a sitting MP, stealing and amplifying screenshots of Doyle with their child to paint a sinister and entirely untrue picture. This isn’t just reckless and endangering to Doyle and his family…it’s a calculated right-wing smear campaign, leaning on dog-whistle homophobia to demonize a non-binary person for political gain.

Not content with relegating such dirty political discourse to the darker side of the internet, the mainstream media have happily amplified O’Brien’s hatred, with the NZ Herald unfortunately giving her an unearned and unwarranted platform to cry foul about the Greens’ response to her unjustified attack, framing herself as a concerned lesbian and former Green Party supporter. But let’s cut through the crocodile tears: O’Brien’s no innocent bystander. Her Substack and X posts reveal a person intent on propagating disinformation that’s been provided by anonymous trolls. She’s even admitting to peddling unverified claims, while continuing to promote a more refined level of hatred she believes will find favour amongst conservative readers. This is hateful deception dressed up as advocacy, and it’s a toxic poison that should not be infecting our democratic discourse again.

O’Brien’s victimhood act is as tired as those who echo her, such as the deluded NZ First leader Winston Peters and discredited and convicted defamer Cameron Slater. When called out, O’Brien clutches at pearls, claiming she’s targeted by “hateful left-wing homophobia.” It’s a cynical ploy to deflect accountability while rallying her hateful and abusive base of online attack trolls. She’s not the martyr she pretends to be. Instead, she’s a provocateur who thrives on outrage and controversy. Her Free Speech Union ties and history with Judith Collins’ office scream right-wing operative, not grassroots hero. Yet, she dodges scrutiny by wrapping herself in a rainbow flag she’s quick to discard when it suits her poisonous narrative.

The fallout from her Doyle campaign is chilling. X users, egged on by her insinuations, spiraled into a lynch mob, hurling death threats at Doyle and their family. Posts on platforms like r/ConservativeKiwi escalate her “evidence” into unhinged conspiracies, with users fantasizing about Doyle’s death and tossing around terms like “pedo” with abandon. One Reddit thread even speculated about “MAPs” (minor-attracted persons) hiding under rainbow flags, a vile untrue trope O’Brien’s unhinged rhetoric fuels. This isn’t just discourse…its incitement, and she’s selectively fanning the flames of hatred towards the largely left-wing supporting LGBTQ+ community without evidence or remorse.

Meanwhile, O’Brien’s silence on right-wing figures linked to actual pedophilia scandals is deafening. Take the National Party’s cozy relationship, via MP’s such as Hamish Campbell, with "church" groups like the Two By Twos who are under active FBI investigation for child abuse. Take the former Act Party president, Tim Jago, being found guilty of molesting young boys. Where’s her righteous fury there? Nowhere. Her tunnel vision on Doyle, who hasn’t committed any crime, reeks of political bias so entrenched that she couldn’t see the truth if it slapped her in the face. O’Brien isn’t safeguarding kids; she’s stealing and weaponising their images to score points against the left in a disgusting return to the bad old days of dirty politics.

Ani O’Brien’s brand of activism isn’t about truth…it’s about power. Her lies and selective crusades don’t just undermine opponents; they erode trust, inflame hate, and put lives at risk. New Zealand deserves better than Ani O’Brien’s brand of faux outrage, which inevitably undermines the claims and accounts of the real victims of child sexual abuse.

The Mirage of Chris Luxon's Pre-Election Promises

The New Zealand National Party has long mastered the art of crafting messaging that resonates with a large number of desperate, often white, middle-class voters. From their 2023 campaign mantra of “getting our country back on track” to promises of economic revival, safer streets, and better education, their rhetoric paints a picture of a brighter, more prosperous Aotearoa.

But when you peel back the glossy veneer, the gap between their optimistic pledges and real-world outcomes reveals a troubling pattern of inconsistencies that demands scrutiny. This isn’t just political spin...it’s a calculated disconnect that risks eroding public trust in our political system, which is something that will only benefit authoritarian right-wing political party's who wish for a more divided New Zealand.

Take the Prime Minister Chris Luxon's flagship economic promise to rebuild the economy so that it is “working for all New Zealanders.” In 2023, National campaigned hard on taming inflation, cutting wasteful spending, and delivering tax relief to ease the cost-of-living crisis. Social media posts from the party, like one in April 2023, criticized Labour’s “reckless spending” as the root of economic woes, promising disciplined fiscal management and more spending money in everyone's back pockets.
 

Fast forward to 2025, and the picture isn’t so rosy. Inflation remains stubbornly high, with core rates hovering around 4%, squeezing households despite global downward trends. Tax cuts, heralded as a lifeline, have disproportionately benefited higher earners, leaving low and middle-income families grappling with rising costs for basics like rent and groceries. The Reserve Bank’s aggressive rate hikes at the beginning of Luxon's governorship, which National implicitly endorsed while blaming the previous Labour-led government's over-spending, have hammered small businesses and first-home buyers. Business closures and mortgage arrears are at an all time high, thanks to the National Party's economic mismanagement.

More concerned with theatrics in order to keep people distracted from their numerous policy failures, the National Party has all but forgotten about the inclusive prosperity that they promised. It simply hasn't materialized and more people are now struggling, because the National Party hasn't delivered on anything.

On crime, National’s optimism was equally bold. Their pledge to “crack down on crime and ensure safer communities” suggested a zero-tolerance approach, with more police and tougher sentencing. Yet, recent data paints a different story. While police numbers have barely shifted, with just 17 extra police delivered compared to the 500 promised, violent crime rates in urban centers like Auckland and Christchurch haven’t budged significantly since 2023. Youth offending, a favorite National talking point, continues to spike, with ram raids and gang-related incidents dominating headlines.

Their much-touted by the mainstream media “social investment” model, meant to address root causes, feels more like a buzzword than a funded reality. If anything, communities feel less safe because of the National Party's austerity increasing the decline of New Zealand's institutions and as a consequence society as well.

Education policy offers another stark contrast. National’s 2023 pledge to “teach the basics brilliantly” and ban cell phones in schools was sold as a return to academic rigor. But the reality? Curriculum changes have been sluggish, with teachers reporting inadequate resources to implement new standards. Real education spending, adjusted for inflation, remains flat, echoing National’s historical trend of prioritizing efficiency over investment. Meanwhile, truancy rates are climbing, and PISA scores show no meaningful uptick. The optimistic vision of thriving classrooms feels like a distant dream when schools are still begging for basic support.

These inconsistencies aren’t just policy hiccups...they reflect a deeper issue. National’s messaging leans heavily on aspirational propaganda, banking on voter hope to gloss over their well-documented delivery gaps. The 2023 Coalition of Chaos with ACT and NZ First, billed as a unified front for change, has instead produced fractious debates over priorities, which combined with widespread budget cuts is diluting the National Party's ability to deliver. Climate policy, barely mentioned in their rhetoric, remains a glaring blind spot, with emissions targets slipping as global pressure mounts. But what else would you expect from a climate change denying political party that says one thing and does another.

The National Party’s promises consistently outpace outcomes, which breeds cynicism. New Zealanders deserve more than feel-good slogans; they need results. Until National bridges that gap, their messaging will remain a polished mirage, fading under the harsh light of reality.

David Seymour - Arsehole of the Week

Strap yourselves in, folks, it’s time for another round of Arsehole of the Week, and this week’s golden derrière trophy goes to—drumroll, please—David Seymour, the ACT Party’s resident genius who thought, “You know what we need? A shiny new Treaty Principles Bill to "fix" all that pesky Māori-Crown partnership nonsense that is stopping my masters from exploiting New Zealand”

Bravo, Dave. Truly a visionary. Nothing screams “unifier” like taking a 185-year-old foundational document and scribbling over it with a crayon. So, let’s dive into why Seymour’s latest masterstroke, which is less Mona Lisa and more finger painting by a toddler on a sugar high, has crowned him Arsehole of the Week once again.

Picture this: Seymour, in his infinite wisdom, decides Te Tiriti o Waitangi needs to be retrospectively rewritten, because he doesn't want structural Māori inequalities to be addressed. His big idea? Boil down decades of legal precedent, Waitangi Tribunal rulings, and, oh, actual Māori input into three "principles" that sound like they were cooked up during a late-night libertarian Reddit binge and have nothing to do with the existing Principles .

Partnership? Pfft. Tino rangatiratanga? What's that? Let’s just slap “everyone’s equal” on it and call it a day. Who needs consultation when you’ve got a dream and a wish to alienate the vast majority of Kiwis who want an equal and functioning society? The Waitangi Tribunal called it “the worst, most comprehensive breach of the Treaty/te Tiriti in modern times.” Harsh, sure, but they probably just forgot how much of a big man Seymour was while trying to torch Māori-Crown relationship, just to entrench a bit of racism and garner the votes of a few deluded white supremacists. Right, Dave?

Now, let’s talk numbers, because Seymour loves a good stat...unless it’s inconvenient. Like, say, the 300,000 public submissions on his bill, a record-smashing 90% of which told him to take his Treaty Principles Bill and kindly shove it where the sun doesn't shine. His response? “Spam!” Oh, honey, that’s not spam; that’s the sound of a nation collectively asking; why are you wasting our money on this? But does our hero of racism back down? Nah! Instead the Coalition of Chaos attempted to ignore our democratic norms by dismissing submissions. Was Seymour concerned? Of course not. He’s too busy tweeting about how unelected judges and “elites” have “hijacked” the Treaty. Because nothing says “man of the people” like dismissing overwhelming public feedback against his stupid bill as fake news.

Seymour's gross manipulation of Parliamentary procedures didn't end there. He was all set to drop his destructive legislative dog turd on November 18, 2024, just as the largest hīkoi in New Zealands history was rolling into Wellington to protest it. But, oopsie, he shuffled it forward two weeks, leaving the Tribunal scrambling and Māori leaders calling him “dishonourable.” Just parliamentary hijinks, he says. Like manipulating our democratic system for his own benefit was nothing to worry about.


The hīkoi itself? A glorious, united middle finger, by Māori, Pākehā, young and old alike, marching from Cape Reinga to Parliament to say, “No to your racist legislation, thanks.” Seymour’s arrogant take? They haven’t read the bill. Sure, Dave, because tens of thousands of people walked thousands of kilometres to protest your divisive bill just for the vibes.

Then there’s the coalition circus. Luxon, too busy “running the country” (read: dodging the fallout), and Winston Peters, off achieving nothing overseas, left Seymour to face the music alone at the second reading on April 10, 2025. The bill tanked, 112 to 11, with ACT as the only delusional racists still waving their sad little racist flag. Even your mates ditched you, Dave. But don’t worry, he’s already plotting a comeback. A referendum in 2026, maybe? Because when your bill gets ripped up and laughed out of Parliament, the logical move is to keep flogging that dead horse until it’s glue.

Seymour’s whole shtick is that the Treaty’s been “distorted” into giving Māori “special privileges.” Oh, please. The only distortion here is the fun-house mirror these goofs are using to try and rewrite history. Māori aren’t swimming in unearned perks...they’re fighting for rights promised in 1840 which have not been provided. But why let facts ruin a good dog-whistle? Seymour’s bill doesn’t just miss the mark; it’s playing a different sport entirely, one where “equality” means erasing Māori as Treaty partners and pretending colonialism never happened.

So, here’s to you, David Seymour, our Arsehole of the Week. You took a document meant to build bridges and tried to sell it for scrap. You ignored a record-breaking backlash, snubbed a historic hīkoi, and got dumped by your own coalition partners. The people spoke, Dave...through submissions, protests, and votes, and they said, “Hard pass on your racist attempt to rewrite our founding document.” Maybe take the hint, swap the soapbox for a mirror, and reflect on why “unity” doesn’t mean flattening everyone into your version of equal. Until then, enjoy another Arsehole of the Week Award to add to your collection, David. Everybody knows you truly deserve this one.

Unmasking the National Party’s Fascism

Kia ora, readers. It’s time to pull back the curtain on some uncomfortable truths about New Zealand’s political landscape. The National Party, often cloaked in the guise of "sensible centrism," has, at times, veered into territory that smells suspiciously like fascism.

Now, before you roll your eyes and mutter about hyperbole, let’s unpack this with a clear head, a sharp pen, and a few hard facts that cannot be ignored. We’re not here to sling mud for kicks; we’re here to dig into the dirt and see what’s buried.

Fascism, for those who need a quick refresher, isn’t just jackboots and salutes. It’s a political beast that thrives on nationalism, suppression of dissent, scapegoating minorities, and consolidating power for the elite.

Historian Umberto Eco’s 14-point framework for fascism is a handy guide—think cults of tradition, fear of difference, and an obsession with control. Here's how the National Party stacks up when we're talking about the clear and present danger of the indicators of fascism.


1. The Māori Scapegoat and Racial Division (2023 Election Campaign)

During the 2023 election, National’s campaign took a sharp turn into divisive territory. Christopher Luxon’s rhetoric, while carefully polished, leaned heavily on anti-Māori sentiment to score points. Remember his “bottom feeders” comment about the poor, many of whom are disproportionately Māori? Or the push to scrap dual-language road signs, not because they’re confusing (they’re not), but as a dog whistle to those who resent Māori cultural resurgence? This wasn’t just policy disagreement—it was a calculated move to stoke fear of “the other,” a classic fascist tactic. By framing Māori rights as a threat to “Kiwi unity,” National tapped into a playbook that thrives on division, not debate. Their coalition partners, ACT, took it further, openly flirting with white supremacist talking points.

2. Suppressing Dissent: The COVID-19 Response and Beyond

Let’s rewind to 2020-2021, when National was in opposition. Their response to the government’s COVID-19 measures was less about constructive criticism and more about fanning the flames of unrest. Judith Collins and co. gave tacit nods to anti-vax and anti-lockdown protests, which, let’s be honest, weren’t just about “freedom.” These movements, as we saw in Auckland and Wellington, often carried fascist undertones and calls for “purifying” society, and a rejection of scientific consensus. National didn’t outright endorse the tinfoil hat brigade, but they didn’t condemn them either. Instead, they played both sides, amplifying distrust in institutions to weaken Labour’s grip. Eco’s checklist ticks here: distrust in expertise and a fetish for “action over reflection.” Fast-forward to 2025, and National’s silence on rising far-right groups like Action Zealandia speaks volumes.

3. Economic Elitism and Control

Fascism loves a hierarchy, and National’s economic policies often read like a love letter to the 1%. Take their 2023 tax cuts...sold as relief for “hardworking Kiwis” but skewed heavily toward high earners. Meanwhile, funding for social services like healthcare have been put in a choke-hold, leaving the vulnerable to fend for themselves. This isn’t just bad budgeting; it’s a deliberate choice to prioritize wealth over welfare, consolidating power among the elite. Pair that with their push for privatization (think asset sales under Key’s reign, 2008-2016), and you’ve got a system that rewards loyalty to the state’s chosen few while dismissing the rest as “lesser.” Sound familiar? It’s the kind of cronyism that fascist regimes thrive on, dressed up in neoliberal jargon.

4. Historical Echoes: The Legion’s Shadow

Now, let’s get historical for a sec. The National Party was formed in 1936, partly from the ashes of the New Zealand Legion, a radical conservative group that flirted with fascist ideas during the Great Depression. The Legion wasn’t full-blown Mussolini fanboys, but their nationalism, anti-socialist fervor, and calls for “self-sacrifice” had a whiff of authoritarianism. National absorbed some of these elements, including ex-Legionnaires like S.G. Holland, who became leader. While National today isn’t a direct descendant of blackshirts, this origin story shows a willingness to cozy up to far-right fringes when it suits. As conditions worsen—say, economic strife or cultural tension—those roots could sprout again.

5. The Big Data Disturbance (2024-2025)

Here’s a fresh one. National’s coalition government has doubled down on “social investment” models, using AI and big data to decide who gets welfare and who doesn’t. Sounds efficient, right? Except it’s a slippery slope to state overreach. The Ministry of Social Development’s plan to trawl social media to “assess” beneficiaries reeks of a surveillance state...another fascist hallmark. Combine that with moves to loosen oversight on Oranga Tamariki’s child uplifts, disproportionately affecting Māori families, and you’ve got a recipe for systemic control dressed as reform. This isn’t about helping people; it’s about punishing those who don’t fit the “ideal” mold.

Let’s be clear: National isn’t goose-stepping into a dictatorship. But fascism isn’t always blatantly obvious...it creeps in through dog whistles, policy nudges, and strategic silences. Luxon’s National Party has shown it’s happy to play with fire, whether it’s racial division, economic elitism, or tech-driven control. They’re not Action Zealandia, but they don’t need to be. By normalizing far-right talking points and ignoring the warning signs, they’re laying kindling for a system that is much more ugly than what most Kiwis voted for.