NZ’s Borders and Government Propaganda
Good Morning and Welcome to this week’s Gospel and Culture update, by Alan Vink
Monday 6th July, 2020
Our Borders
Given that the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to persist for years, as nobody has a vaccine yet and scaling up vaccine production after one is developed will most likely take years. Given that over half a million Kiwis live in Australia and have the right to return, and up to half a million more live in other parts of the world where the pandemic rages more furiously and yet also have the right to return.
Building systems to let Kiwis return home safely – and at scale – is incredibly important. Here is a discussion paper, released last week, written by Sir Peter Gluckman, the Rt Hon Helen Clark, and Rob Fyfe called Re-engaging New Zealand with the World. It raises some very important questions.
My POV. I for one had no idea that as many as 20% of New Zealander’s live overseas at any one time. That’s huge. That is approximately one million people. What’s more as we have heard over and over again they ALL have the right to return to NZ. And if I was one of them especially if I was living in America or places in Asia I would want to do exactly the same. And as soon as possible. And that is a massive challenge for our Government. This too is unprecedented.
I think this calls for us to double down on prayer for our Government, Border Control personnel and Health Department. Beyond that, Is there an outreach opportunity for the church right here? How could we come along side people as they re-locate? This we can be sure of, a lot of people will feel quite vulnerable and perhaps dis-oriented as they settle back into NZ life especially children and young people.
And finally, I am sad this issue is being politicised. I guess it is inevitable especially in an election year but very very unfortunate.
Andrew Little, ‘You Are Not Telling The Truth’.
LeadershipWorx is one of about 30 Organisations in NZ (both Christian and non-christian) that are part of a coalition called SAM-NZ. As a Coalition we are fair and square in the SayNopeToDope corner in the legalising Marijuana debate. See a short background paper here.
Last week Andrew Little lied to all New Zealanders. Mike Hosking picked up on this and nailed it in his daily ‘Mike’s Minute’. Nothing more needs to be said.
My POV. Truth telling is critical at all times both in personal relationships and in public discourse. Lies and deceit hurt people because decisions that are made on falsehoods always result in damage and hurt, not to say anything about poor policy positions.
The new Government Website, Referendums 2020 does not say everything there is to say on both Cannabis and on Euthanasia for that matter. Unfortunately it isn’t neutral in my opinion. The current Government is pushing a very liberal agenda as it has sadly done with abortion. Therefore I would urge all of us especially we who are Christian Leaders to search out the truth. Back to the Marijuana issue. On the website we have endeavoured to provide a credible source to all our points as to why we are opposed to the legalising of Marijuana. Further, I have written a 600 word paper entitled, Marijuana-A Christian Response. It is available on request.
A Song To Watch. ‘One Day’
Have a tissue handy. "One day this all will change...3000 people….three languages and one Haifa all singing Koolulam and hoping that the One Day is near”
Koolulam is a social-musical initiative, meant to bring together people from any and all walks of life. Our Idea is to simply stop everything for a few hours and just sing - together.
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Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.
