Iwi Before Kiwi: Uncovering the Hidden Depths in Societal Generalizations

When you make a true statement about everything, and I'm talking about 'Everything everything,' you're likely to end up with mere platitudes. Take, for example, the assertion that everything either exists or doesn't. This applies to me, my cat, and, well, everything. But consider the claim that everything is part of everything. This seems valid, but only if we're interpreting 'everything' in a consistent manner (note the play on different meanings of 'everything'). Admittedly, this isn't particularly exciting. My argument here is that general statements encompassing everything tend to be low on information.

Now, let's shift our focus to general statements about a narrower set, like humans. Suddenly, we're able to make more interesting observations: every human has a heart, humans inhabit Earth, and our survival depends on water. The narrower the group, the more specific and informative our statements can be. Consider children: all children are younger than 30 years old, and no child under 5 can drive a car. Surely, you can think of numerous other examples. The pattern here is clear – by focusing on increasingly specific groups, we gain more meaningful information. Conversely, the larger the group, the fewer statements apply universally to all its members. This reality underscores how marginalized groups are often erased in broad, sweeping statements that aim to encompass everyone.

An example of this is the phrase 'Kiwi before iwi'. When New Zealand Prime Minister Luxon speaks of unity and inclusivity for all Kiwis, his intention might be to promote governance that is equitable for all. However, such a stance inadvertently neglects the unique identities and lived experiences of marginalized groups. The systemic disparities between the majority of Kiwis and marginalized groups, such as Māori or LGBTQ+ people, become apparent only when we consider these subgroups separately. Broad generalizations about all Kiwis tend to obscure the specific statistics and insights necessary for achieving equity and social justice.

There's a logical imperative to explore different domains of quantification if we want to uncover informative generalizations that can help propel our country forward. We must recognize that, at times, prioritizing 'iwi before Kiwi' is essential for fostering a just society.