Politicians Denying NZ’s Christian DNA
Our political leaders don’t want to mention the c-word – “Christian” – but they seem very keen to mention and sometimes even bow down or dress up to every other religious event.
Show script:
Politicians Denying NZ’s Christian DNA
New Zealand has had the footprint of Christian faith across our nation throughout our history. History books will tell you that Christian missionaries played a key role in the creation of the Treaty, and the event is often viewed by both Māori and Pākehā as a kawenata (covenant) witnessed in the presence of God.
Anglican missionary Henry Williams, Catholic Bishop Pompallier, many Māori chiefs who signed the Treaty were already influenced by 25 years of missionary work, with some, such as Hōne Heke and Tāmati Wāka Nene, citing their Christian faith as a reason for signing.
As Dr Stuart Lange said in a recent newsletter to the NZ Christian Network
The background to the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi included a remarkable move of God among Māori, from the 1830s onward, with very large numbers embracing Christian faith, and the concern of some influential British humanitarian Christians that the British government should step up and protect Māori from the injustices and oppression of lawless and unregulated colonial settlement …
The problem is that our political leaders don’t want to mention the c-word.
Christian.
But they’re happy to mention and sometimes even bow down or dress up to every other religious event. Why is that?
Watch these two clips of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledging two major religious festivals in New Zealand recently.
One from Christmas and one for Ramadan – the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting (sawm), prayer, reflection, and community.
Here’s the Ramadan one – “Holy month, deeply meaningful sacred time, fasting, prayer, reflection, Iftar, open their homes, spirit of care & generosity, reminder why [this religious] community make our country a much richer place.”
Now the Christmas one from two months ago. Listen out for Christian, significant time, virgin birth, manger, Jesus, Son of God, shepherds, prophecy.
OK – maybe not
You’ll get – “Slow down, bbq, family, sun, beach, thanks to our Defence force, police, hospital workers working while we party, 2025 has been a tough year, but inflation, interest rates, crime, education, infrastructure all under control….”
That’s quite the contrast, isn’t it.
I’m not saying that Luxon isn’t welcome to acknowledge Ramadan.
But why the downplaying of the founding religion of this country, on which our DNA and our laws and culture have been based.
Of course we had this scene in March last year when Luxon was shown wearing a head covering and bowing during his visit to the Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, a Sikh place of worship in New Delhi.
Even a Happy Holi for Hare Krishna last year!
I actually posted on a social media a question to Luxon
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a significant period for many Christian denominations. This 40-day season of self-reflection and discipline leads up to Easter Sunday. During Lent, observers often engage in practices like prayer, fasting, abstaining from meat on Fridays, and giving up a vice or bad habit. I’m just trying to find your greeting to the thousands of NZers observing this period – as you did for Ramadan.
Interestingly we got one this year. “I hope that this season of fasting, prayer, and penance brings you closer to your faith.”
Your faith. Which is interesting given that in his maiden speech in March 2021, he defended his Christianity.
I wish he would say “closer to our faith”.
And even at the end of last year, Luxon rightly recognized Hanukkah – especially on the back of the Bondi tragedy – kippah headpiece and all
Hanukkah is a time of peace and joy, not of pain and grief. It is in that spirit that David Seymour, Mark Mitchell and I joined members of Auckland’s Jewish community this evening for a prayer and candlelight service.
And then just last week – Happy Year of the Horse. A special video tribute
We celebrate the values – energy, perseverance, progress… values that are guiding stars for the National Party… the Chinese community has long been an integral part of our country…
Awesome to have the family together for a fun dinner last night. Hope everyone enjoys a safe Easter weekend!
Just can’t mention the C-word. Or the significance of Christianity to our culture and to our nation.
We almost got there with this follow up post. Happy Easter. On National blue.
If you happen to look at the comments, there’s a small acknowledgement that most won’t see. An after-thought.
Easter is a special time for Christians. I hope you can take the opportunity to reflect and celebrate with family and loved ones.
Just not quite as impressive, descriptive and complimentary as those Ramadan, Hare Krishna and Year of the Horse ones eh
What about Chris Hipkins. Can he say the c-word?
He can definitely say Ramadan – “our Muslim community…. focus on strengthening your iman”
He can acknowledge Matariki in June. He had a post
Mānawatia a Matariki. Happy Matariki. This special time marks the rising of the Matariki star cluster, inviting us to reflect on the past year, honour those who have come before us, and look ahead to the future with hope and optimism.
In fact there was even a video
There was Diwali in October
A big thank you to our Indian communities for hosting the Labour team today as we celebrate Diwali. Wishing our Indian communities a happy and wonderful Diwali.
Even a nice video included celebrating Diwali in a ceremony…
Two weeks later – and more Diwali
Just last week….
Happy Lunar New Year – Chinese new year.
Recently I got to celebrate Lunar New Year with my local Chinese community in the Remutaka. To all celebrating Lunar New Year, may it be filled with prosperity, good health, and new beginnings. May the year ahead bring you happiness, success, and moments worth celebrating!
It got a special video as well. Gushing with love and please vote for me. Enjoy the special time.
And now we’re back to Ramadan – with a special visit
Ramadan Kareem to all our Muslim communities! May your fasting, duas and sadaqah all be accepted this month.
Oh he even went to Big Gay Out – which this year felt more like the Big Angry Out – where “love is love”. Well, except for polygamy, marrying a close relative, marrying underage, marrying more than one person – that’s illegal – but love is love eh.
(So did David Seymour as well – by the way)
So that’s Ramadan, Matariki, Diwali, Chinese New Year – you’re asking, what about Easter and Christmas. Even Lent?
Easter got nothing. Zilch. Nada. Despite it being the most significant Christian festival on the calendar.
What about Christmas? Surely there was a mention about the birth of Jesus Christ – the person central to the faith held by the largest group of people who have a religious faith. Even some Labour voters. Heck – David Lange used to be a lay preacher in the Methodist Church.
A video – but the same political mumbo-jumbo and rhetoric as Luxon
See if you can here any mention of the Christian faith – or the special Christians who contribute to our society.
Divisions stoked… Strongest when we come together… Believe things can be better
Oh – and dressing up as Satan – sorry, Santa
As for Lent – well, unfortunately the date for Ramadan clashed – so nope, nothing for Lent.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins even put aside all their political differences and danced together on stage during Indian Independence Day celebrations in Auckland last August.
Wonder if they’ll be at the March for Life on March the 7th.
Can you imagine them turning up together to Life Church or Elim or C3 and getting into the worship like that. Um, no.
But it’s not just our political leaders. The NZ Police have a Dedicated video for Ramadan
Well, that’s nice.
But when it came to Christmas, Police were tracking Santa
And a video – about driving
What about ACT?
Here’s their Christmas message. Let’s check out any religious messaging – given that it is a significant Christian event…
Ooh I wonder how many takes they had to do on that. “It’s not where you’re from, but where you’re going.” Deeeeeep!
Interestingly they haven’t covered Easter, Ramadan, Lent that I can find – but they did get excited about Diwali, (so some religious festivals must be okay after all – is that a form of worship bottom-left??)
and then Chinese New Year this year. Must be an election year.
What about NZ First?
“May the miracle of Easter bring you joy, faith, and renewed hope.”
And crosses!!!
Christmas – and more Christian nationalism – whatever that is…
And then a video – starting in a church – a Christian church. I can barely breathe
Faith, blessings, God – not explicit, but certainly the closest you’ll get.
Nothing around other religious festivals that aren’t in the DNA of NZ’s Christian heritage.
That’s quite the contrast to the other parties, isn’t it.
What about the Greens, you ask?
Um… just a mocking song – badly sung. Badly acted. Hysterics
Nothing for Easter – but interestingly, nothing for other religious festivals.
Now I’m sure that all these politicians may have attended church services, mosques and temples and synagogues (well, except maybe the Greens on that last one!).
And perhaps they have spoken clearly about the Christian faith and their own faith. Please send me through examples. I’d love to be proved wrong.
But let’s be quite clear. I’m not saying that politicians can’t acknowledge other religious ceremonies and events as part of our multi-ethnic society.
But why are they hiding the Christian DNA of our country.
Why won’t they fully explain the significance of Easter and Christmas – the founding faith of our kiwi culture – and encourage the Christian believers.
You know – those Christian charities that contribute an estimated $7.3 billion to the NZ economy each year, over 65,000 volunteers providing roughly 13.4 million hours of service in 2023, equivalent to over 6,500 full-time staff, and extensive Social Services – feeding the homeless, emergency accommodation, addiction support, and financial literacy/legal aid services.
Are the politicians embarrassed by it?
Like Labour PM Helen Clark who in 2002 at the state banquet for the Queen said that “New Zealand is now a secular country”, and grace would not be said at the meal, insulting our head of state in the process.
Like Labour MP Trevor Mallard who in 2018 took the name of Jesus out of the opening Parliamentary prayer.
It seems they want a secular country – except for the religions that aren’t the basis of the founding of this country and its laws.
Why can’t they say the C-word.
Perhaps they’ve forgotten the words of our national anthem.
If they can’t acknowledge it and talk about it, we’ll just have to talk about it more.
The footprint of Christian faith that is deep and wide in our land.
