As part of our drive to keep our comment section the best in New Zealand we showcase each week an example of a top-notch comment that adds value to The BFD.
Today’s comment was written by Ben Waimata. Thank you Ben Waimata for taking the time to craft such an interesting comment.
I think that is the right thing to do. The crime is usually associated with the lowest socio-economic layer of our society, not with a particular race. The fact that Maori are massively over-represented in both statistics is not the same thing as saying it is a Maori problem, indeed all races in this lowest socio-economic group are equally liable to criminal activity.
Fix the social trends of all NZers at the bottom of the heap and the crime patterns will change. This can only be achieved through some mechanism that allows the ‘lumpenproletariat’ class to actually feel part of society. Increased welfare will not fix the problem, but getting them working and having pride in their part of NZ society will.
It’s a huge ask.
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