Politics – This Election Lead-up is Your Chance

by Jack Tuhawaiki

Many decades ago in his presidential speech to the NZ Deerstalkers Association, the late John B Henderson, said “I was brought up to believe Parliament was the Court of last resort – where the public and the public interest could get a fair deal. I believe the public should continue to flush out the men who pull the strings and wield the power – flush them into the open where the spotlight of public scrutiny can be focused. If they are true and sincere, they have nothing to lose and nothing to fear. I urge the public to be more determined to bring the debate to the public for its judgement and never to be duped into believing that politics and the environment are other than cause and effect.”

But alas, most trout anglers are asleep, drowsy from apathy or “I couldn’t give a stuff “ syndrome.

Disastrously apathy is common. In general elections, a million New Zealanders do not exercise their right to vote. In fish and game elections, not infrequently regions do not need an election for seats on each council. In some there have been insufficient nominations to fill the council seats. 

The words of a Greek philospher are relevant. “The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.” Plato (427-347 BC).

I’m not suggesting fish and game councillors or politicians are evil! But if apathy is commonplace and deep set, then mediocrity and poor decision making and performance are very likely. And self interest from corporate lobbyists hold sway.

There’s an election November 7.

Action on the parliamentary system can be taken on several fronts by both individuals and clubs.

1. Individuals should be urged to send e mails to MPs and cabinet ministers on crucial issues. This should not just focus on the local MP. If the local MP is a back bencher, then it is all the more necessary to contact other MPs. Backbenchers within the culture of current party politics usually have little influence. Governments, particularly the last two, have been largely dominated by a clique of half a dozen key party MPs. 
2. One of the most powerful ways of influence is by a letter to the editor or a comment on public websites i.e. social media. Governments and political parties employ “clipping services” which scan newspapers not just dailies but community ones too, for items of interest. Naturally letters referring to government policies or actions are prime targets for clipping services. So indirectly a letter to the editor ends up on the desks of government, both departmental ones and parliamentary ones, often the relevant minister. Similarly they troll social media sites.

The impact of letters and comments t is considerable. One former Labour cabinet minister once remarked that two or three letters on a subject caught his eye. Five or six caused concern as it represented a large body of public opinion and a potentially big issue.

A letter/comment to the editor or online also serves a valuable purpose in “educating” the public as to the arguments on an issue. “Letters to the editor” is probably the most widely read part of a newspaper. Readers are interested in what others are thinking. 

So letters on issues like access, trout farming, pollution etc are telling not only politicians but also the public on why trout should not be commercialised, why the public’s rivers must be kept clean and why NZ’s egalitarian principles of equal uncommercialised access for everyone should not be undermined. 

Which political party is in government, is of no consequence or significance.

Get involved in politics yourself. Join a political party. Get on the party’s committee.

Ideally trout fishing and outdoor interests should seek to be within every political party particularly under MMP and its coalition governments. Encourage club members to get involved within parties. Within parties, much influence can be exerted by putting forward remits for party national conferences, from which party policies are developed.

Clubs should also be encouraged to be active in the media on issues. Letters to the editor of the local paper not only “hit” the issue and inform the public but is good PR for the club and shows it to be active. Delegations to local MPs and better still, cabinet ministers can be undertaken. 

An important aspect of today’s communication is the use of the computer to access websites, blogs, social media sites, etc., It can be struggle for some older (retired?) people to come to grips with its use but the reality is younger generations use it and with enthusiasm. Talk back radio? There’s a thought to air your concerns.  

There are a few rules to making a credible impact . No offensive material. No personal attacks. No deviation from topic. 

Big problem

However, the political inertia and apathy by the trout fishing public is a major problem to overcome. Indeed it can be said about all of the kindred sports e.g. sea fishing, deerstalking, etc. Collectively it’s estimated a million plus Kiwis fish, hunt, shoot and hike. Fishing has five times more participants than rugby – the number one sport.-a very large voting bloc. But it has slumbered through the apathy-in essence it is a “sleeping giant.”

It’s a massive challenge in the face of diminishing and less structured leisure time; and the generally increasing arrogance and dictatorial styles of government, national and local. 

Any elected representative whether in Parliament on the local city or regional council or even on the local fish and game council, is a public servant, elected to serve his/her constituents interests. Unfortunately this principle is lost on many of those elected.

Certainly the notion among the masses that politics is distasteful has to be erased. 

Politics in sports like trout fishing is nothing more or than “cause and effect.” 

If people care about tomorrow and the legacy for their children and grand children, then they must try to influence decision-making by councils and government. To not do so is to further erode not only our sport, our egalitarian access rights and the cleanliness of our environment but to also to fail future generations – your children and grandchildren.