Defeat is not a foregone conclusion but this piece provides good perspective on who the enemies are.
Editor’s note: While Hobson’s Pledge has history of connection to other groups that are directly funded by the Atlas Network, we have not seen evidence that Hobson’s Pledge has received Atlas Network funding directly.
Armed with the resources of the Atlas Network, the anti-treaty campaign is poised to completely outmatch their opponents in terms of manpower and resources. They are likely to successfully push the anti-treaty bill from the select committee stage to a ‘no’ vote in a public referendum, aided by a potent disinformation campaign.
In New Zealand, three organisations represent the Atlas Network: the New Zealand Centre for Political Research, Hobson’s Pledge, and the Taxpayer’s Union. These organizations are staunchly against indigenous rights for Māori. Hobson’s Pledge Trust, led by Don Brash and Casey Castello, is often labeled as an anti-Māori hate group and has been likened to the White New Zealand League. It is no mistake Casey Costello jumped to 3rd on the NZ First list to become the associate minister of Police.
By Joe Trinder for The Southern Cross