Observers and social media followers say they feel blindsided and betrayed following confirmation that Hobson’s Pledge funded vehicle hire for travel linked to figures associated with the Heal the Nation cause — and which could have been ‘the Trojan Horse’ referred to by other commentators who suspected a ‘hunch’ about a possible link back in January. The influential figures on the forefront are Don Brash, Corina Shields (known on social media as Aunty Heihei) and Martel Wikeepa (known as Shubz).
On 10th February, a leaked email was sent to Sam Hudson of thisquality media where former Reserve Bank Governor Don Brash confirmed that Hobson’s Pledge made a financial contribution toward vehicle hire after being approached by Corina Shields.
For supporters and followers of both groups, that confirmation is less about the dollar amount involved and more about trust.
Shields was one of the main funding recipients for Heal the Nation’s Givealittle page and Brash writes of her ‘intention to encourage greater Māori engagement … by visiting marae around the North Island” to discuss the principle of “legal equality.”
While the email frames the contribution as limited and principled, critics say the issue is not technical compliance but perceived transparency, in that the funds were directly sourced from Brash on behalf of Hobson’s Pledge. They publicly maintained that they had no involvement in Heal the Nation or its associated hikoi. Yet the confirmation that it helped fund travel connected to a prominent Heal the Nation figure has led some supporters to question whether that messaging was complete.
Adding to the sense of loss of credibility is the way earlier concerns were dismissed by followers who supported Ms Shields and Mr Wikeepa who, at the time were growing a following smearing John Tamihere as President of the Māori Party. In an article published by Southern Cross Media, commentator Joe Trinder described suggestions of a link between Hobson’s Pledge and Heal the Nation as a “Trojan horse” — implying that claims of coordination were speculative or politically motivated.
Now, critics argue, the leaked email to S. Hudson has complicated that dismissal by confirming financial assistance. While it does not establish a formal partnership or sponsorship of the wider hikoi, it does confirm a financial contribution tied to travel undertaken by a central Heal the Nation figure. For some observers, that undermines earlier attempts to characterise concerns as unfounded.
At this time, some who were travelling with the group, within Heal the Nation circles, are expressing frustration of reputational impact. Heal the Nation presented itself as a grassroots initiative, driven by community fundraising and independent mobilisation. The revelation that travel costs were partially supported by Hobson’s Pledge risks undermining that image, raising questions about how separate the movements truly were.
Brash continues in the email, “… During Hobson’s Pledge’s campaign opposing separatist Māori Wards, Shields offered informal assistance because she shares our belief that, in a democracy, every citizen should have equal political status. She appeared in a limited number of social media posts relating to that campaign, which has since concluded.”
That prior collaboration is now being re-examined in light of the vehicle funded for travel meant for the promotion of “legal equality”. It begins to look more like an ongoing relationship, even if no formal partnership existed.
Brash rejects claims of broader coordination by writing, “Hobson’s Pledge has not sponsored, endorsed, or been involved in any wider campaign activity.”
For Hobson’s Pledge, critics say the episode has risked credibility. For Heal the Nation and those associated, the revelation raises uncomfortable questions about independence and disclosure. And for those who dismissed suggestions of a link as a “Trojan horse,” the leaked email has confirmed that those concerns were valid. What else might the public not yet know? What does it say about activism and political coordination? Going forward, accountability will be essential to restoring trust and preventing similar controversies from undermining both public confidence and organisational credibility.
