New Zealand’s incoming Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, is on the cusp of forming a new government in New Zealand. However, recent actions carried out by a group of pro-Palestinian activists have marred the lead-up to this momentous occasion. The group, known as Tāmaki for Palestine, has taken responsibility for splashing red paint on the electorate offices of Luxon and other conservative MPs, including ACT Leader David Seymour, Simon Watts, Judith Collins, Dan Bidois, Paul Goldsmith, and Melissa Lee.
Tāmaki for Palestine states that they targeted the offices due to the government’s failure to call for a ceasefire and to condemn Israel’s actions in the ongoing conflict. They also expressed their discontent with New Zealand’s incoming government, describing it as a “coalition of complicity.”
This act of vandalism is not an isolated incident – similar displays took place in Australia, as well as the earlier defacing of government buildings in New Zealand. The situation has prompted support for the right to express views freely from the National Party, although the method of expression has been condemned as needing to be conducted legally, respectfully, and peacefully.
Luxon’s National Party secured the majority of votes in the recent New Zealand election, and is expected to sign a coalition deal with ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First. A formal signing ceremony is scheduled to take place at Parliament on November 24th.