In the latest instalment of people outraged by things they clearly don’t understand, Aukaha News and a woman named Ellen Tamati have launched a social media tantrum over a billboard image used by Hobson’s Pledge in one of their campaign against Māori Wards.
It is probable that Ellen just saw dollar signs when reading that she would be paid if she submitted the image to a stock photo site. In her haste to cash in she likely failed to read the terms and conditions, and now has "seller's regret". That is no fault of anyone but herself. This is also typical Maori behaviour ... once they have the money in their hands they whinge and whine about something to do with the process around how that happened. Well done to Hobson's Pledge for staying on the right side of the law ... that is New Zealand law not Aotearoa or woke Maori law!
This is exactly why some groups I know won't use Maori in pictures on their sites or on their articles. NZ is a small place, and Maori are small in number, comparatively-speaking, too, so inevitably someone's face will appear alongside something they don't like, and cause problems. Better to use a picture with a bunch of white faces from anywhere in the world, and risk being called racist, than risk a furore over a Maori person being offended at how their photo was used here. The kickback on them over it might be just as unpleasant as it is for the group that used it. Going forward, I suspect that AI might be used to generate Maori faces for use in some pictures, to avoid giving offence.
Hobson's Pledge have apologized and taken down the bill board although this is not their fault at all! What more can they do? However, the cry about lost mana and horrible outrage doesn't match with the silence about murdered babies and toddlers in suitcases. What is more important to cry about? Here's the apology:
"Hobson's Pledge
Statement from Hobson’s Pledge:
We are aware of a video circulating online involving one of our Māori Wards campaign billboards, which features a stock image of a woman who has expressed distress at seeing her photo used.
The image was legally purchased through a reputable stock photography provider, and all rights to use it in public-facing materials were secured. However, upon seeing the video and understanding the impact on this individual, we have asked the billboard company to remove the advertisement immediately.
While the intent of the campaign was to promote an important conversation about democratic fairness and equal voting rights for all New Zealanders, we are saddened to see that this billboard has caused personal upset. That was never our intention.
We believe in having respectful and constructive conversations about Māori Wards. We hold the view that race-based electoral divisions are unnecessary and undermine equal suffrage, particularly when many Māori candidates are already successfully elected through general seats at both the local and national level.
We will be reaching out privately to the individual featured to ensure she is okay and to let her know her image is publicly available on stock image platforms. Regardless of the positive message we were promoting, we do not want anyone to feel distressed by our materials.
Thank you to everyone who continues to engage thoughtfully on this important issue.
What you say is true but Hobson’s pledge would do themselves an enormous favour and garner huge public support if they waited a few days then quietly replaced the women’s face with another…..
Yes, that’s true. There are plenty of stock photos to choose from, but we all know that whoever appears in the next photo they use will probably complain too. At the end of the day, when you purchase a stock photo for business purposes, you are free to use it as you like. Unfortunately, Ms Tamati didn’t read the fine print.
It is probable that Ellen just saw dollar signs when reading that she would be paid if she submitted the image to a stock photo site. In her haste to cash in she likely failed to read the terms and conditions, and now has "seller's regret". That is no fault of anyone but herself. This is also typical Maori behaviour ... once they have the money in their hands they whinge and whine about something to do with the process around how that happened. Well done to Hobson's Pledge for staying on the right side of the law ... that is New Zealand law not Aotearoa or woke Maori law!
Little like signing up to sell land, then demanding it back some 6 or 7 generations later.
Always read the terms of sale b4 u sign.
This is exactly why some groups I know won't use Maori in pictures on their sites or on their articles. NZ is a small place, and Maori are small in number, comparatively-speaking, too, so inevitably someone's face will appear alongside something they don't like, and cause problems. Better to use a picture with a bunch of white faces from anywhere in the world, and risk being called racist, than risk a furore over a Maori person being offended at how their photo was used here. The kickback on them over it might be just as unpleasant as it is for the group that used it. Going forward, I suspect that AI might be used to generate Maori faces for use in some pictures, to avoid giving offence.
Hobson's Pledge have apologized and taken down the bill board although this is not their fault at all! What more can they do? However, the cry about lost mana and horrible outrage doesn't match with the silence about murdered babies and toddlers in suitcases. What is more important to cry about? Here's the apology:
"Hobson's Pledge
Statement from Hobson’s Pledge:
We are aware of a video circulating online involving one of our Māori Wards campaign billboards, which features a stock image of a woman who has expressed distress at seeing her photo used.
The image was legally purchased through a reputable stock photography provider, and all rights to use it in public-facing materials were secured. However, upon seeing the video and understanding the impact on this individual, we have asked the billboard company to remove the advertisement immediately.
While the intent of the campaign was to promote an important conversation about democratic fairness and equal voting rights for all New Zealanders, we are saddened to see that this billboard has caused personal upset. That was never our intention.
We believe in having respectful and constructive conversations about Māori Wards. We hold the view that race-based electoral divisions are unnecessary and undermine equal suffrage, particularly when many Māori candidates are already successfully elected through general seats at both the local and national level.
We will be reaching out privately to the individual featured to ensure she is okay and to let her know her image is publicly available on stock image platforms. Regardless of the positive message we were promoting, we do not want anyone to feel distressed by our materials.
Thank you to everyone who continues to engage thoughtfully on this important issue.
— Hobson’s Pledge"
What you say is true but Hobson’s pledge would do themselves an enormous favour and garner huge public support if they waited a few days then quietly replaced the women’s face with another…..
Yes, that’s true. There are plenty of stock photos to choose from, but we all know that whoever appears in the next photo they use will probably complain too. At the end of the day, when you purchase a stock photo for business purposes, you are free to use it as you like. Unfortunately, Ms Tamati didn’t read the fine print.
I smell a rat surely shes been paid for stock photos seems unlikely she'd do it for free
Ladies, think before you speak