Euan Ritchie's playground

Navigation

Search this site

Login More quotes… 
Expand all rantsList rants ordered backwards in timeList rants alphabetically

Why should there be a single thing defining NZ?

People eager to constrain their identity within a recognisable national sterotype are pissing me off

Last night, just before bed, I saw part of a TV program wherein a NZ performer was upset they could not use their name to promote themself in Europe because someone had trademarked it.

I sympathise, the idea of someone taking ownership of your name is offensive, but that isn't what's got me ranting.

The program was a documentary that then went on to describe (and incidentally tell lies) about I.P laws and generally complain of foreigners owning New Zealand identity by virtue of registering trademarks before it occurred to anyone in NZ to do so and capturing uniquely NZ symbols (primarily Maori names and art).

The topic broadened to include a general bemoaning of indistinct NZ culture and how if it weren't for Maori there'd be nothing but a sallow European colony. The poor guests on the show seemed to think themselves worthless and uninteresting because they couldn't be properly labeled and presented.

The notables passed in front of camera and complained about how hard it was for them. One in particular made a comment about having been asked to appear somewhere in traditional NZ dress and not knowing what to wear (I suggest a blank singlet) that differentiates NZ from Australia.

And all this talk of national identity just drove me mad - I'm not determined to be seen to be the same as my neighbour and I don't give a damn what people around me insist ought define them. People shouldn't be so willing to find a herd.

A nation is best defined by it's laws and the character of it's citizens, not what romantic pretence is represented by costume and make up. All these worthies who worry so much about defining their nation ought concern themselves with the laws that let corporations capture ideas and restrain expression more than what frock goes with 'NZ'.