Kia ora everybody - Nice to be back in touch with you all after so long! It seems I've been name-dropped at the Brisbane Business Forum by none other than Mr. John Key! After asking the crowd whether or not they had heard of me from Whale Rider and also about my position as an ambassador for the Sign On campaign. The PM then went on to say "My advice to Keisha would be this: Stick to acting."
I was rather surprised by the comments I believe this is a great sign and really shows that the Sign On campaign is rattling the Government. But it was a very odd forum to discuss my involvement in the campaign, although it gives me a chance now to guide the discussions back to the core issues. I went on Close Up last night to discuss these.
But back to John's weird personal attack, i think it's derogatory to state that it's not okay for New Zealanders to stand up and take interest in the world around them.Climate change is a global issue that affects our country as a whole. Before being anything else in my life, I am a mother, and that is why I am a part of this campaign. And as a mother i believe i have a right to speak up if i have concerns about the future of my daughter. Discouraging New Zealand youth to participate, think and speak out is not on for the Prime Minister of NZ.
I'm not claiming to be a scientist nor a climate expert. I am just doing what I can as a good global citizen.
John Key's climate change Minister Nick Smith has spent the last two weeks running a public consultation on what NZ should do on climate change. I was under the impression that the NZ Government was therefore interested in what the public had to say. Is the PM all of a sudden NOT interested in public input?
This week is the Pacific Island Forum, where low lying states are calling clearly for help on climate change from countries like New Zealand. The Alliance of Small Island States is asking for developed countries to cut emissions by 45% by 2020. John Key should spend less time commenting on a Kiwi Mum's right to free speech, and more listening to our Pacific neighbours.
- Keisha