From Hitler to Hana — Time Magazine’s credibility is dead

Time magazine once meant something. Being recognised by Time used to suggest global impact, groundbreaking leadership or genuine influence. But as the years have gone by, its awards have become more about political symbolism and pandering to fashionable causes than actual substance. The latest example? The inclusion of 23-year-old Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke on the Time 100 Next list for “influential leadership.”

What exactly has she done? Since entering Parliament, the only time most New Zealanders have seen Hana make headlines was when she stood up, screamed, and tore David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill in the debating chamber before breaking into a haka. Wow, so inspirational!

Imagine for a moment if a member of National, ACT or NZ First did the same thing in reverse, ripped the Treaty of Waitangi, screamed across the chamber and then performed a gay little dance. The outrage would be deafening. The media would melt down, the Speaker would be forced to intervene, and the MP would likely be forced to resign. When it’s a Te Pāti Māori MP, it’s called “influential” and “courageous.”

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This isn’t about race or heritage. It’s about maturity and credibility. When we start sending 23-year-olds with no real-world experience and no proven life skills into Parliament, something has gone seriously wrong. Politics is not a playground. A political mind takes years to develop. Hana might have potential, and she may well grow into a strong representative for her people, but she’s not there yet.

Let’s not forget how she got there either. After her infamous “ramraids” on the campaign trail, it felt like some voters took pity on her and handed her their vote out of sympathy rather than confidence. That’s not democracy at its best, that’s emotional manipulation disguised as empowerment.

If Hana wants a real future in politics, she’ll need to think beyond the Te Pāti Māori playbook. Right now, it’s all noise and no delivery. The party is far better at performance than progress. And if she doesn’t break from that mould, she risks being remembered as yet another grifter posing as a revolutionary.

I genuinely hope she matures politically and learns to represent all New Zealanders, not just a select few. Let’s not confuse tantrums with leadership. Time magazine might, but the rest of us shouldn’t, aye bro?

After all, this is the same Time that once named Adolf Hitler as “Man of the Year 1938” and plastered Jacinda Ardern, arguably New Zealand’s most divisive leader, across its cover. That tells you everything you need to know about what their awards really mean today - absolutely whāk all.