Summarised by Centrist
ACT MP Laura Trask has raised concerns over the children’s book Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapōkai, which is available in schools and funded by Creative New Zealand.
The book, written from the perspective of a seven-year-old, explores race and power dynamics in a family with a Māori father and Pākehā mother.
Trask, with The Platform’s Sean Plunkett, discussed problematic themes, such as one line in the book that reads, “I feel sorry for my mum because she’s only Pākehā.” Trask is concerned such material may not be appropriate for young readers.
The book, which won the New Zealand Picture Book Award, discusses the child’s feelings of conflict about his parents’ racial identities and suggests sympathy for his mother because she’s Pākehā. Trask argues these themes are too adult for children and could influence their views on race and authority.
Additionally, the book features imagery of the child at a protest holding a Māori flag, with a police officer on the other side, which Trask felt promoted opposition to authority figures.
She said she is concerned over children interpreting this as endorsing physical violence, with the book even stating, “I’m going to climb through the television and hit them over the head with a big stick.”
Connections to taxpayer funding raises questions whether public funds should support such material.
Editor’s note: Creative New Zealand has a history of promoting controversial works that many consider racist. However, due to what some see as a misguided definition of racism, Creative New Zealand continues to fund artists whose work would be labelled racist if it targeted anyone other than people of Pākehā or European heritage.
Hear the whole interview over at The Platform
Image: Gecko Press
