Nothing wrong with taking pride in who we are

CHRIS Trotter is right to warn us of the dangers of rightwing extremism exemplified by Trumpism (Opinion, 15.1.21).

The parallels he draws between Aotearoa New Zealand and the United States of America are less convincing, however. ‘‘Culturally,’’ he says, ‘‘we are blood brothers.’’ Are we?

While it might be true that there are broad similarities between the colonial experience in both countries, there are also radical differences in the way the two societies have developed.

The watchword of US society is freedom, which leads to individualism and a sometimes infantile objection to any authority.

New Zealand society has been based on the notion of fairness, which supports social justice and a measure of collective solidarity.

The differences in the response to the Covid19 pandemic in the two countries, both at the government and the popular level, are reflections of these contrasting principles.

Racism is alive and well in New Zealand, as Mr Trotter points out. Maori and other ethnicities have not been treated fairly. Nevertheless, the principle of fairness, an idea embedded in Pakeha culture, seems to me a crucial weapon in the fight against racism.

Instead of denigrating Pakeha culture and equating it with Trumpism, we need to recognise its distinctive qualities.

At the present time, the US is a mess; Aotearoa New Zealand is not.

We would be foolish to be smug about this contrast or complacent about our immediate future during a pandemic but surely we can take a little pride in our present situation and reassert and celebrate the values that have brought it about.

Chris Else Andersons Bay

Street lighting

CONGRATULATIONS to the council and staff for the new street lighting.

There’s much less glare in my back yard, and around the Beverly Begg Observatory if you’re trying to see the night sky.

John O’Neill

Roslyn