It’s an entitlement and I’m entitled to it

In response to questions asking why our prime minister Christopher Luxon would take taxpayer money he did not need he repeatedly said in various ways that “it’s an entitlement that I’m entitled to”.

Entitlement. Claim. Right. Privilege.

Audacity?

When I hear Christopher Luxon talk about what he feels he deserves, what he feels is his right - I can’t help thinking about what it feels like volunteering at a food bank.

And what it feels like using one.

I’ve been in the position of both volunteering and needing to use a food bank. Though it was only once that I needed to ask for food - I remember the feeling so clearly.

It was that feeling that led to me volunteering over the last twenty years in community projects supporting our friends and whānau in need.

I felt immense shame. Hopelessness. I felt like I was worthless.

And I was worth less. Worth less than the Luxons of the world.

I was met only with kindness and the gentle way I was treated is something I try to replicate every day.

I don’t think about entitlements and what’s mine and how I can make it more than yours.

And maybe that’s why I don’t own seven houses or even one. But I know that when I stand with my fellow humans, we try to ensure that nobody feels worthless -

I know we have something money can’t buy.

I know we have something that can never be taken from us.

Luxon will never have it, can never acquire it, can never try to find a loophole to take it…He can’t own it, can’t mortgage it, can’t sell it back to us, can't rent it or lease it.

We have each other - together, unified, side by side. We have Manaakitanga.

Responsibility and reciprocity. Solidarity and support.

We have a wealth that cannot be hoarded.

But we must protect it. We must protect each other.

This is the hard part - because it is exhausting fighting to feed your family. I will not lie - I feel as overwhelmed as you do in a world that feels very cruel.

But, without each other we have nothing.

This government will only take and so it is up to us to organise and react accordingly.

How can we use what Luxon can’t buy to help each other? How can we be all of the things he will never be? How can we commit to providing the things he wants to take away?

This government will be a one term government but how can we ensure the survival of our most vulnerable during this one term?

When it feels hopeless how can we ensure we have hope?

These are the questions we need to grapple with in the face of astonishing greed and incredible need.

The answers to these questions will terrify this coalition of cruelty. They know very well false entitlement falls immediately in the face of real empathy.

It is the fear of a unified people.

It is fear of community.

It's the greatest fear that if you care for your neighbour you won't take from their child's lunchbox to fill your already bulging wallet.

Make them tremble in the face of unbreakable community.

Let us stand side by side and fight for what we know matters - each other.

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