Don Brash We are now just nineteen days away from the election, with advance voting opening next Monday. Yes, that's only seven days away. Issues of fairness, equal rights, and one law for all are right at the core of this election—the very principles Hobson’s Pledge was founded to protect. Chip in now to amplify Hobson's Pledge's message in the next crucial 7 days. Labour’s Agenda and the Left In a recent Q+A interview, Labour leader Chris Hipkins revealed two deeply concerning priorities: School Governance: Labour plans to reinstate the legal requirement for school boards to "give effect" to the Treaty of Waitangi. Instead of focusing on reading, writing, maths, and achievement for every child regardless of background, Labour seems intent on pushing political propaganda in our classrooms. Separatism over Equality: The Treaty is increasingly used as a stalking horse for radical left-wing agendas. Rather than ensuring equality of opportunity, Labour seeks to filter everything through a race-based lens and try to impose equality of outcome. Mr Hipkins was recently on Te Ao with Moana about the radical Matike Mai report. This is a report sponsored by the Iwi Chairs Forum and effectively is calling for separate governance between Māori and all other New Zealanders. When asked about the report, Mr Hipkins admitted he didn't agree with all of it. He owes New Zealanders a clear explanation of exactly which parts he does agree with! Similarly, regarding He Puapua, he claimed much of it is happening, just "not under the auspices of He Puapua." Gangs, Radical Parties, and Māori Seats Meanwhile, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori have been openly aligning with gangs—celebrating groups whose actions cause immense harm, particularly within Māori communities. In just-released footage, Te Pāti Māori MP, Oriini Kaipara, was heard telling her Mongrel Mob audience that they are proud descendants of Maui, Kupe, and Tupaia and consequently should be given houses and support. That’s right, a Te Pāti Māori MP telling criminals that every other New Zealand taxpayer should be funding them simply because of their ancestry. Add to this, Te Pāti Māori candidate Aperahama Edwards recently said the quiet bit out loud when on a marae: "Our Te Tiriti entrenchment policy is a bottom line; it's non-negotiable." Neither the Greens nor Te Pāti Māori appears committed to core issues like law and order, justice, health, or basic education. The future of Māori seats remains one of the most divisive issues in New Zealand politics today. While radical parties demand their entrenchment, Hobson’s Pledge believes in a simple, fundamental principle: equal citizenship under one law, with every vote carrying equal weight. Public opinion is firmly on the side of democratic equality. In the Curia Market Research Māori Seats Poll (March 2026) commissioned by Hobson's Pledge, New Zealanders were asked directly whether Parliament should hold a public referendum—open to all adult citizens—on whether to continue with separate Māori seats: 44% support a nationwide referendum 32% oppose holding a referendum 24% remain unsure By a significant 12-point margin, more New Zealanders support putting this decision directly to the public than opposing it. Political parties must state their position clearly before votes are cast. Common Sense in Water Regulation On a positive note, it is encouraging to see ACT commit to removing te mana o te wai from national water standards. Introducing unmeasurable, untestable "spiritual" tests for every farmer and water user is not only unprincipled madness—it is economically unworkable. With advance voting starting in just seven days, now is the time to demand clarity and equal citizenship from every candidate seeking your vote. Yours sincerely, 📷 Don Brash  Trustee of Hobson's Pledge