Yes it’s not a gift, it’s a grift. Just wait the Council is the one who carries the burden of signage change, there will be associated art/design requirements and everyone knows a non Maori is not allowed to touch Maori design. Step in the consultant from Grifters with a big fat bill. Oh but the words were free, a gift with strings.
I didn't even know QE2 had a Maori name. Upon reflection, I guess I'd be surprised if one hadn't been attached to it.
I wonder if the Maori name for New Brighton Mall was sought by the community board who's foisting it on the Mall, or if the board was voluntarily approached with the 'gift' of the name?
As a kid growing up in Christchurch, had a lot of fond memories of New Brighton.
Unfortunately Christchurch and especially New Brighton was whuked in 2011, but now they're just taking the p!ss.
As it's "Gifted" I'm sure that no money was exchanged for the naming rights etc.... Koha on the other hand?
Please, stop shoving langauge and customs down my throat. If I need to learn a language, I'll learn Malay or Indonesian, as I find that more useful personally....
Oh phew ... I'm back on again. I was banned there for awhile. I'm guessing a mistake. It was for 1000 years! Yikes ... that's a long time. Thanks for sorting it Matua.
The 'gifted' names are just BS. For God sake, let's get some common sense happening again.
Reminds me of what happened to Melville Intermediate and Melville High School located in Melville, Hamilton South/West. For 60+ years they served the students of the surrounding suburbs.
In late 2022/early 2023 a group of single brain celled (seemingly shared amongst them) persons decided to merge the two schools. The Ministry of Education and the respective leadership members and their Boards of Trustees promised huge, positive changes, but, none of them transpired as ultimately the two schools, their respective Boards of Trustees, and the Ministry of Education, could not reach agreement. Reportedly 89% of affected families supported the merger option, however, the Minister of Education, Erica Stanford, unilaterally decided to close both schools.
In a news story - refer link provided below - published on 7 December 2023, the ex Principal of Melville High School, Mr Clive Hamill, was quoted as having said that he was at a meeting where the Ministry of Education promised $40 million of revitalisation funds which had not materialised.
The response (in part) from an OIA request to the Ministry of Education made on the abovementioned date reads as follows; "... the Ministry has not promised or allocated any funds towards Mangakotukutuku College. During the course of the next year, the Ministry will work with the Establishment School Board to begin the process of master planning to determine the future needs of the school and where additional funding might be required. As no meeting has occurred where funding had been promised or allocated, we are unable to provide the aforementioned agenda, minutes or decision document as they do not exist. As such, we are refusing your request in full under section 18(e) of the Act, as the document alleged to contain the information requested does not exist or, despite reasonable efforts to locate it, cannot be found." Who to believe?
All the teachers lost their jobs and had to re-apply. All the students were disenrolled and had to re-apply. The merged school was given the racist stamp of Maorification and named Mangakotukutuku College. Dual naming with a slash separating the corresponding Maori and English words did not make an appearance. The Maori word Mangakotukutuku translated means "stream of the native fuchsia" , while in New Zealand the word "college" refers to secondary (high school) or tertiary (post-high school) study. Generally, the internationally accepted interpretation is the latter. What happened to the "intermediate" education component is anyone's guess.
Mr Hamill was replaced by a Headmistress, Thilo Govender, who went on leave under mysterious and undisclosed circumstances at the end of term 1 in 2024. She reportedly originated from South Africa but not even that 4th world country's education system broke her as the "new" Mangakotukutuku College apparently did. Incredibly too, after reportedly resigning in September 2024, no-one else seemed to want her job as she had not been replaced by the time yet another of many prior jaw-dropping stories - refer link provided below - was published in the media about six months later (on 17 March 2025 to be exact).
Meanwhile Erica Stanford had appointed a Statutory Manager. Notably my husband and I had written numerous complaints raising multiple serious governance failures involving certain Melville High School leaders and teachers, and certain Board of Trustees members, with the prior Minister of Education, Chris Hipkins, in the second half of 2022. The reply (in part) he purportedly signed off on (doubt he even read the letter much less penned it) hypocritically read as follows; "New Zealand state schools are self-governing". We remain of the opinion that had our complaints been listened to and corrective been actions taken, the eventual disappointment, confusion, frustration, chaos and anger would have, at least, been of far lesser impact.
So what did the students, parents, caregivers and wider community members get out of this exercise you're probably wondering. Notwithstanding the lengthy and complicated re-enrolment process, and the disappointments that went along with chosen subjects not being available to students because there were no teachers to deliver them, there was the kick up the butt type shock at being told they would have to buy entirely new uniforms - from head to toe - at around $600 per student. In addition, the touted "revitalisation" took the form a lick of paint, applied sparingly, here and there to give the appearance of refreshed buildings. But otherwise mouldy classrooms with curtains (that would have fallen apart had an attempt been made to launder them), threadbear carpets, broken desks and chairs, and disgustingly unsanitary bathrooms, (to name a few of the neglected maintenance issues) remained unchanged. But, oh boy!, was there ever a show put on through the building of a new school website - refer link provided below - with the following statement in the "Cultural Narrative" speaking to the very strong Maori bias that now underpins the previously impartial schools; "We are fortunate that our campus is located on the tribal lands of Ngāti Māhanga and Ngāti Wairere, and we are therefore presented with a unique opportunity to draw on tribal knowledge and narratives to support and enrich our potential vision, values, and culture of our new school." No good trying though to click on the link to the "Prospectus" because this will return the message; "Page Not Found. I'm sorry, but your page could not be found. Please use the navigation to search for your page." Go tribal, go!
Then there is the Curriculum which screams of the usual convoluted, tokenist, use of te reo, in how things are restructured in a Maori way so that they appear interconnected in a spritual, gifted by human and non-human ancestors, way. Makes sense, right? That is if you believe in fairies and goblins, and such other mysticism.
When all was said and done no-one who made decisions - that resulted in extremely serious and prolonged truancy, vandalism, fighting, hospitalised students, Police involvement, and security guards appointed to protect the students, parents, caregivers, community members and property - was held accountable. The usual "brush it under the carpet" and walk it into oblivion method of dealing with challenges in New Zealand's schools prevailed.
To top this all off, the Ministry of Education has failed dismally to provide the promised dispute resolution scheme referred to under sub-part 9 of part 3 of the Education and Training Act that came into force on its assent date of 31 July 2020. This leaves students, parents and caregivers 'hanging out to dry' with no-where to take their legitimate, valid and serious complaints. That is other than the Office of the Ombudsman process which is very slow due to under-resourcing and the massive number of complaints they receive. Crucially this can also only see unenforceable recommendations being made. The alternative option is the High Court Judicial Review process that costs approximately $20K, and, which can also only see a legal determination, not an order of the Court, being made. Neither provide for compensation - a "dirty word" in New Zealand apparently - payments.
"Gifting" is grifting, it's imposing obligation, it's compulsion without consultation, it's like the army gifting a new recruit a haircut. Even you, Matua, have embraced this change of language - GIFT a subscription? Whether the recipient is likely to be delighted or obligated. GIVE out of generosity because after some thought we believe it's just what the recipient will enjoy. "Gifting" Maori name is blackmail in drag. Use it or we'll fill the media with our anguish about your obvious racism.
I totally agree. I will say though that the gift-a-subscription feature is a standard page across all Substack publications. It’s actually surprising how often it gets used every week and I’m always grateful when those gifted subscribers jump into the chat and get involved. You can read more about it from Substack here: https://on.substack.com/p/gift-subscriptions
I’ve never thought of my work as grifting. There are hundreds of people who appreciate what I do and the fact I write about things others are too scared to touch. I also look after my paid subscribers - they get free access to ebook versions of all future books I release, they can join the convo, DM me, and they get the chance to share their own stories in my Saturday series, Subscriber Stories, which puts them in front of thousands of readers.
I was actually trying to highlight the difference between gift and give, and the way "gifting" has taken over from plain giving. It's even more bizarre on your page - yeah, I see how it wasn't your word! - because you're a notable non-grifter yet that word has migrated into common use blurring the distinction, painting the "gifting" of a compulsory name with $2 shop gold paint and bonus glitter.
An awful lot of us are sick to the teeth of "Te Don'tknowwhatitmeans"
I find it funny how they make up random Māori sounding names, and then 'gift' them like its the gift of the year.
And then a big koha is paid to the huas from yr rates money
Yes it’s not a gift, it’s a grift. Just wait the Council is the one who carries the burden of signage change, there will be associated art/design requirements and everyone knows a non Maori is not allowed to touch Maori design. Step in the consultant from Grifters with a big fat bill. Oh but the words were free, a gift with strings.
I didn't even know QE2 had a Maori name. Upon reflection, I guess I'd be surprised if one hadn't been attached to it.
I wonder if the Maori name for New Brighton Mall was sought by the community board who's foisting it on the Mall, or if the board was voluntarily approached with the 'gift' of the name?
Nor did I! I am always learning something new from Chris Lynch.
As a kid growing up in Christchurch, had a lot of fond memories of New Brighton.
Unfortunately Christchurch and especially New Brighton was whuked in 2011, but now they're just taking the p!ss.
As it's "Gifted" I'm sure that no money was exchanged for the naming rights etc.... Koha on the other hand?
Please, stop shoving langauge and customs down my throat. If I need to learn a language, I'll learn Malay or Indonesian, as I find that more useful personally....
Oh phew ... I'm back on again. I was banned there for awhile. I'm guessing a mistake. It was for 1000 years! Yikes ... that's a long time. Thanks for sorting it Matua.
The 'gifted' names are just BS. For God sake, let's get some common sense happening again.
Help!
Bang on, Matua Kahurangi!
Reminds me of what happened to Melville Intermediate and Melville High School located in Melville, Hamilton South/West. For 60+ years they served the students of the surrounding suburbs.
In late 2022/early 2023 a group of single brain celled (seemingly shared amongst them) persons decided to merge the two schools. The Ministry of Education and the respective leadership members and their Boards of Trustees promised huge, positive changes, but, none of them transpired as ultimately the two schools, their respective Boards of Trustees, and the Ministry of Education, could not reach agreement. Reportedly 89% of affected families supported the merger option, however, the Minister of Education, Erica Stanford, unilaterally decided to close both schools.
In a news story - refer link provided below - published on 7 December 2023, the ex Principal of Melville High School, Mr Clive Hamill, was quoted as having said that he was at a meeting where the Ministry of Education promised $40 million of revitalisation funds which had not materialised.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/504088/two-hamilton-schools-to-be-replaced-by-one-we-re-bitterly-disappointed
The response (in part) from an OIA request to the Ministry of Education made on the abovementioned date reads as follows; "... the Ministry has not promised or allocated any funds towards Mangakotukutuku College. During the course of the next year, the Ministry will work with the Establishment School Board to begin the process of master planning to determine the future needs of the school and where additional funding might be required. As no meeting has occurred where funding had been promised or allocated, we are unable to provide the aforementioned agenda, minutes or decision document as they do not exist. As such, we are refusing your request in full under section 18(e) of the Act, as the document alleged to contain the information requested does not exist or, despite reasonable efforts to locate it, cannot be found." Who to believe?
https://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/nz-news/360617953/police-called-school-yard-kicking-troubled-hamilton-college
All the teachers lost their jobs and had to re-apply. All the students were disenrolled and had to re-apply. The merged school was given the racist stamp of Maorification and named Mangakotukutuku College. Dual naming with a slash separating the corresponding Maori and English words did not make an appearance. The Maori word Mangakotukutuku translated means "stream of the native fuchsia" , while in New Zealand the word "college" refers to secondary (high school) or tertiary (post-high school) study. Generally, the internationally accepted interpretation is the latter. What happened to the "intermediate" education component is anyone's guess.
Mr Hamill was replaced by a Headmistress, Thilo Govender, who went on leave under mysterious and undisclosed circumstances at the end of term 1 in 2024. She reportedly originated from South Africa but not even that 4th world country's education system broke her as the "new" Mangakotukutuku College apparently did. Incredibly too, after reportedly resigning in September 2024, no-one else seemed to want her job as she had not been replaced by the time yet another of many prior jaw-dropping stories - refer link provided below - was published in the media about six months later (on 17 March 2025 to be exact).
Meanwhile Erica Stanford had appointed a Statutory Manager. Notably my husband and I had written numerous complaints raising multiple serious governance failures involving certain Melville High School leaders and teachers, and certain Board of Trustees members, with the prior Minister of Education, Chris Hipkins, in the second half of 2022. The reply (in part) he purportedly signed off on (doubt he even read the letter much less penned it) hypocritically read as follows; "New Zealand state schools are self-governing". We remain of the opinion that had our complaints been listened to and corrective been actions taken, the eventual disappointment, confusion, frustration, chaos and anger would have, at least, been of far lesser impact.
So what did the students, parents, caregivers and wider community members get out of this exercise you're probably wondering. Notwithstanding the lengthy and complicated re-enrolment process, and the disappointments that went along with chosen subjects not being available to students because there were no teachers to deliver them, there was the kick up the butt type shock at being told they would have to buy entirely new uniforms - from head to toe - at around $600 per student. In addition, the touted "revitalisation" took the form a lick of paint, applied sparingly, here and there to give the appearance of refreshed buildings. But otherwise mouldy classrooms with curtains (that would have fallen apart had an attempt been made to launder them), threadbear carpets, broken desks and chairs, and disgustingly unsanitary bathrooms, (to name a few of the neglected maintenance issues) remained unchanged. But, oh boy!, was there ever a show put on through the building of a new school website - refer link provided below - with the following statement in the "Cultural Narrative" speaking to the very strong Maori bias that now underpins the previously impartial schools; "We are fortunate that our campus is located on the tribal lands of Ngāti Māhanga and Ngāti Wairere, and we are therefore presented with a unique opportunity to draw on tribal knowledge and narratives to support and enrich our potential vision, values, and culture of our new school." No good trying though to click on the link to the "Prospectus" because this will return the message; "Page Not Found. I'm sorry, but your page could not be found. Please use the navigation to search for your page." Go tribal, go!
Then there is the Curriculum which screams of the usual convoluted, tokenist, use of te reo, in how things are restructured in a Maori way so that they appear interconnected in a spritual, gifted by human and non-human ancestors, way. Makes sense, right? That is if you believe in fairies and goblins, and such other mysticism.
When all was said and done no-one who made decisions - that resulted in extremely serious and prolonged truancy, vandalism, fighting, hospitalised students, Police involvement, and security guards appointed to protect the students, parents, caregivers, community members and property - was held accountable. The usual "brush it under the carpet" and walk it into oblivion method of dealing with challenges in New Zealand's schools prevailed.
To top this all off, the Ministry of Education has failed dismally to provide the promised dispute resolution scheme referred to under sub-part 9 of part 3 of the Education and Training Act that came into force on its assent date of 31 July 2020. This leaves students, parents and caregivers 'hanging out to dry' with no-where to take their legitimate, valid and serious complaints. That is other than the Office of the Ombudsman process which is very slow due to under-resourcing and the massive number of complaints they receive. Crucially this can also only see unenforceable recommendations being made. The alternative option is the High Court Judicial Review process that costs approximately $20K, and, which can also only see a legal determination, not an order of the Court, being made. Neither provide for compensation - a "dirty word" in New Zealand apparently - payments.
"Gifting" is grifting, it's imposing obligation, it's compulsion without consultation, it's like the army gifting a new recruit a haircut. Even you, Matua, have embraced this change of language - GIFT a subscription? Whether the recipient is likely to be delighted or obligated. GIVE out of generosity because after some thought we believe it's just what the recipient will enjoy. "Gifting" Maori name is blackmail in drag. Use it or we'll fill the media with our anguish about your obvious racism.
I totally agree. I will say though that the gift-a-subscription feature is a standard page across all Substack publications. It’s actually surprising how often it gets used every week and I’m always grateful when those gifted subscribers jump into the chat and get involved. You can read more about it from Substack here: https://on.substack.com/p/gift-subscriptions
I’ve never thought of my work as grifting. There are hundreds of people who appreciate what I do and the fact I write about things others are too scared to touch. I also look after my paid subscribers - they get free access to ebook versions of all future books I release, they can join the convo, DM me, and they get the chance to share their own stories in my Saturday series, Subscriber Stories, which puts them in front of thousands of readers.
But, yeah - I do get what you mean, K.
I was actually trying to highlight the difference between gift and give, and the way "gifting" has taken over from plain giving. It's even more bizarre on your page - yeah, I see how it wasn't your word! - because you're a notable non-grifter yet that word has migrated into common use blurring the distinction, painting the "gifting" of a compulsory name with $2 shop gold paint and bonus glitter.
If I "gift" them a Dutch name, will he also grab it with both hands you think ?