The birds may give the impression they are timid and retiring, but in fact can be extremely bad-tempered and aggressive, especially when defending their territory.
What are the traits, then, of the non-feathered Kiwis we live and work among across the country? Once upon a time we had an international reputation for modesty, quiet generosity and charity, though always indurated by aggression when it came to territorial disputes relating to war or rugby.
We look around an apparently much angrier world today and what do we see? Has that impatience and intolerance arrived on our shores too?
At a time when more is asked of us to understand people’s diversity and opinions, there is a kickback towards narrow-mindedness and bigotry. A nasty, occasionally thuggish, streak has entered the Kiwis’ nest.
That’s not to say there aren’t still many New Zealanders of all ages out there putting others first and trying to improve their compatriots’ lives. But, as times have got tougher financially, selfishness has been on the rise.
It was pleasing then to hear two government ministers call out the brutish behaviour of Destiny Church members at an Auckland rally at the weekend.
This group marched along Queen St, with leader Brian Tamaki demanding a stand be taken against "foreign religions" and wanting a crusade for "Christian values, Kiwi identity and the future of this nation".
To make their point, Destiny followers burnt and used culturally sacred taiaha to stab flags representing minority groups.
Ethnic Communities Minister Mark Mitchell said such conduct was appalling and the group’s actions were not welcome in New Zealand. "The behaviour I saw was not Kiwi, nor Christian," he said.
It’s difficult to reconcile Destiny’s attitudes and confrontational behaviours with the traditional Christian values of love, tolerance and respect. Faith and ethnic communities have now spoken out about the intimidatory rally and groups who want to gain notoriety for "racist stunts".
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour also waded in with his views on the march, calling it "un-Kiwi" because Mr Tamaki and his followers were "intolerant and uninclusive" for attacking the rights of others to practise their faiths.
Mr Seymour said of people coming from across the world, "so long as they come peacefully to build a better world, then they’re welcome [in New Zealand]".
It would be hard to argue against that — in fact, it’s one of those rare occasions on which we agree wholeheartedly with him. However, it’s not clear to us how we can marry up Mr Seymour’s views on Destiny’s rally and free speech with the way he has been dealing with those opposed to his polarising Regulatory Standards Bill.
Newsroom this week ran a piece from the University of Auckland’s distinguished professor Dame Anne Salmond, hitting back at Mr Seymour’s online attempts to harangue academics who disagree with his Bill.
She said dissenting academics had been accused of "Regulatory Standards Derangement Syndrome" and were appearing on Mr Seymour’s Facebook page under this heading and labelled "Victim of the Day".
At a time when violence against politicians and academics was increasing, Prof Salmond said use of the word "victim" was at best careless and at worst intimidatory rhetoric to harass them for exercising academic freedom.
Also, Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has written to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon complaining about Mr Seymour’s behaviour, specifically for targeting academics and ridiculing Christchurch City Council staff for giving their opinions on his Bill.
She believes this is conduct which breaches the Cabinet Manual, and is irresponsible for a political leader in potentially inciting violence and in harassing those with dissenting opinions.
Mr Seymour would certainly appear to be pushing the limits of what is acceptable, because he doesn’t like the messages he’s receiving. He will no doubt argue he is effecting his right to free speech, without acknowledging that others are too.
Our view is Mr Seymour’s approach, like Destiny Church’s calls, are not the Kiwi way at all.
