Fictionalizing Māori History in the Name of Gender Ideology

“My organization, Mana Wāhine Kōrero (which translates as “Sovereign Women Speak”), was one of the two New Zealand groups that facilitated Kellie-Jay Keen’s visit to Auckland in March. We are a Māori (indigenous people of New Zealand) women’s organization and—as far as we know—the only gender-critical indigenous women’s group in the world. Our members are deeply concerned about the impact that gender ideology is having on our culture; on our wāhine (women); and on women’s rights more generally, as seen through the prism of Te Ao Māori (the Māori worldview).

Following Keen’s harrowing experience in Auckland, few New Zealand media outlets accurately reported on the violent nature of the mob she faced. A notable exception was journalist Sean Plunket, an independent Kiwi radio host who has regularly endured criticism for questioning gender ideology (and identity politics in general). Following Keen’s mobbing, Plunket expressed both sympathy and shock, and gave over much of his airtime to the traumatized women who’d been at the aborted speaking event, including Keen herself.”