Editorial: Troy Bowker called an air-strike on his own position

Investment banker Troy Bowker​ accused animation entrepreneur Sir Ian Taylor of 'sucking up to the left Māori​-loving agenda'. Photo: Supplied, File

Editorial

EDITORIAL

Reactions whistled in as fast as a TJ Perenara cut-out pass to Hurricanes' director Troy Bowker's observations on race relations this week.

After accusing prominent businessman Sir Ian Taylor of "sucking up to the Left Māori agenda", Bowker then fumbled any hope of pulling himself clear of the pile-on by doubling down and asking Sir Ian "what percentage Māori" he was.

Everyone - Bowker included - is entitled to their views but care is always needed in how they are expressed; where they are broadcast; and bearing in mind how people are likely to be affected.

Bowker got it wrong in at least a few of the above. He didn't seem to take caution in how he expressed his view, nor where it was broadcast.

His words were blunt to the point of callous and in posting them on Sir Ian's LinkedIn account, with more than 2500 followers, Bowker effectively sprayed his view across a large group who were highly likely to be offended.

In his original post, respected Māori entepreneur Sir Ian praised a cartoon which, incidentally, showed DNA intertwined from the wakes of a Māori waka and a European-style ship. To consider this as "another example of European NZers not being proud of their own ancestors" indicates an incompehensible sense of twisted privilege.

In any case, to praise one group does not denigrate another. One wonders whether he has been emboldened by politically-motivated drums recently being beaten with claims of a cultural war.

Bowker should button his lip while he works on realigning himself with - if not modern thinking, then - how to express his views in a civilised manner.