This is an excellent article. I say Ani O’Brien has precisely captured the feelings of betrayal, disillusionment, anger and powerlessness. https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/ani-o-brien-it-s-just-a-passport-cover-except-it-s-not
Anger not necessarily directed at maori per se, certainly at TPM MP’s and their maori sovereignty bluster and intimidation, but most definitely at Chris Luxon and the government he “leads”.
Anger and betrayal at the way we have been abandoned and sold down the river by the coalition!
Disillusionment from voters, the vast majority who assigned there votes to the coalition parties in the belief that democracy would be restored, maori influence and ascendancy would be constrained, common sense would prevail and consensus and fairness would rule!
A feeling of powerlessness as the “elite” of the 17% of the population grew steadily bolder and more audacious with their demands and ultimatums as Prime Minister Luxon stood to one side like a confused and disorganized pedestrian crossing monitor and waved them on down “Appeasement Road”!!!

The comments on the website are well worth a read.
I think that piece by Ani is fair. As a kid growing up here I’ve always loved Maori culture and the language but I agree 100% with Ani on this:
But I am wound up that we’ve arrived at a place where people can’t distinguish between cultural recognition and cultural imposition. Where using Māori names is no longer about embracing heritage, it’s about enforcing allegiance.
And of course, cue Bomber in 3 … 2… 1…
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2025/07/29/waatea-news-column-the-toxic-pettiness-of-this-governments-anti-maori-agenda/
Haters gonna hate and Bomber’s gonna bluster!