Full Massey University OIA Release

TRANSCRIPTS FROM VOICEMAILS RECEIVED:
(1) 08/08/2018 1:05pm
Yeah hello [WITHHELD] it’s [WITHHELD] speaking. Look I just sort of wanted to lodge my um
disappointment in the actions of Massey University’s taken in the discussion that Don Brash was
going to attend um you know I see Universities as being all about debate and discussion some of it
you disagree with etc, ah but in a tolerant way in a reasonable way, um and and this is what
democracy in the western world is all about, and I I think you’ve got it horribly wrong I hope you’ve
got a chance to sort of reflect on this and and I don’t think it does anybody a service to have a a
lopsided discussion, um especially not in a context un, you know of open, honest, reasoned
discussion, that’s what Universities are about, so again my disappointment is just absolutely
palpable, so thank you for listening to this and I appreciate you taking the time to listen to it,
goodbye..
(2) Wed 8/08/2018 12:23 PM
Yeah Hi, I just want to ah, voice my disappointment that um Don Brash is not able to at least voice
his opinion. Ah – we are still entitled to our own ridiculous opinion no matter how a how it is, and ah
I hope that this women is um fired from her job. Ah she doesn’t deserve to have her job there. And
it is all about Universities are meant to be a place where you can use your mind and make your own
decisions. She is no worse than Stalin or Hitler, or anyone else, or the Catholic Church, who basically
forbids freedom of of thought, and she deserves everything she gets because that’s not OK , and its
not how this country works at all and she should really consider leaving. Thank you, bye.
(3) Wed 8/08/2018 10:03 AM
Yes hello um, this call is in relation to the cancelling of Don Brash’s meeting at Massey University. I
was extremely disappointed and so are many friends who have contacts um through Massey,
contacts with Massey I should say, ah to find that um Don Brash is actually not being given freedom
of speech within his own country, um to debate or to in fact just talk about his life as a National MP.
But I would like to speak to somebody about this please, so if you could please phone me on
[WITHHELD] Is my phone number, and my name is [WITHHELD]. Thank you very much, bye.
(4) Tue 7/08/2018 12:48 PM
Hi My name is [WITHHELD], I’m calling from the New Zealand National Front, you might have heard
of us. Um I am just wondering if ah Jan Thomas has any comments about her capitulation to threats,
if she now supports ah threats um if you [?] threatened speaking event to get that cancelled, we will
be running a story on that um tonight, so just wondering if she would like to make any comments, or
has anything to say in her defence before we run that story. And we have some of our members
looking into it further and her background as well just to see why she would make a decision to um,
stop free speech, and to um - all she doing is promoting violence and threats because now people
are threatened and stop speakers, they’re emboldened and she she’s contributing to the problem,
ah she’s contributing to violence and threats in New Zealand, so does she think it’s OK, if for
instance, our group started threatening people we don’t like as well, would she then ah, think it’s OK
to stop free speech. So those are our thoughts on the matter, ah so once again ah, from the National
Front, if she could contact us via our website we have a contact details there if she wants to get in
touch with us, otherwise if she ah, has anything to say in her defence we will just run the story. Ok,
thank you, have a free day, bye bye.
(5) Wed 8/08/2018 1:57 PM
Hello, I’m a concerned citizen and rate payer of Palmerston North, and I’m absolutely horrified at the
decision that yourself as Vice-Chancellor has made to ah ban Don Brash from speaking to the
Political Group on campus today. Um, I am very very concerned at our lack of free speech, I mean
the best I’m considering that your possibly cowardly, at worst that your part of a um, a liberal left-
wing point of view which wants any conservative voice shut down. This is really really concerning to
myself and my family. Um New Zealand has, well it’s gone down the gurgler pretty much. You know,
free speech used to be something that New Zealanders were truly proud of, and I’m utterly ashamed
actually to be a New Zealander, and be part of this University town when the Vice-Chancellor acts in
this terrible way. So I am urging you to gather up some courage and act like an adult and allow um
Don Brash to speak to the political group and you know, not act in this arbitrary, totalitarian way.
Um my name is [WITHHELD], myself and my husband and my family, we are just disgusted. I hope
you will take this on-board and change your view and your decision. Thank you.
(6) Wed 8/08/2018 4:55 PM
Um hello, I’m saying that um regarding the cancellation of the Don Brash [?] unacceptable and I
think the Vice-Chancellor should resign because its a public university, if they don’t want to have
freedom of speech they should, this university should be cut of public funding, that’s how it works,
and it is just insane that you should use hate speech as a reason to cancel it, because who who
defines hate speech, who defines it, we would all have different versions of what it is, the best way
to run things is to have free speech, that is just so simple. And also regarding [?] it was a lie that the
Vice-Chancellor was cooperating with the Police, another reason she should resign, and you
shouldn’t give into violent threats, you just shouldn’t. Of course there are points where, you know,
someone calls in a bomb threat, you know, you might want to listen to that, but you can’t just take
every violent threat as a reason to stop something cause if that’s what you do, then you know what
happens? Its so many things will be cancelled just because people have received a message. Hell, I
don’t like this thing that’s going on but you know what that other speech got cancelled due to
violent threats and they’re going to do the same, you have to set a good precedent, not a bad one,
because this is one of the worst precedents that’s ever been set in New Zealand history.
(7) Tue 7/08/2018 4:58 PM
Um, hello. I’m calling to say that I think it is atrocious that the Vice-Chancellor cancelled, didn’t allow
Don Brash to speak there because of just caving into threats of violence, that is ridiculous. Massey
University is a public university, it is for all types of points of view to be spoken, and this is just going
against freedom. If a university is just going to shelter their ki-, their students from hearing different
points of view then their then they clearly are just not thinking clearly because at a university you
are supposed to hear different points of view, its where you really think about what kind of view
you’re going to have and you do that by hearing all sorts of points of view not just hearing ones that
point in the same direction, you need to be able to look at many different points of view, and I
actually think that, like, honestly the way this is going in America where they have all this kind of
outrage over different points of view at Universities, those of us in New Zealand who can see what
the future will be like, I I really think this outrage is going to be massive and I really think the Vice-
Chancellor should resign, if you are going to be just crushing freedom of speech, it is insane it is
against one of the most basic human rights. It is a human right, no one can give you the freedom to
speak, people can take it away from you but no one can give it to you, because it is a right, and that
it what a right is. So I actually think, I think there should be a protest [?] I would be happy to go, and
I, I don’t even live in Christchurch and I mean I don’t I I, I assume this is on the Manawatu campus,
ah yeah this is all rush rush you know I had to call in, so I don’t know exactly what campus, but its all
the same really, and..I…would…do..like, I would, I would go through a lot of effort to be able to
protest for this cause because I think people protest is so important, and not caving into threats of
violence because that it is when you lose that is when you get the fascist who, who, you know like
to call other people fascists all the time, like you know you see in America, they/ve got the terrorist
organisation [?] that literally, they claim people that they are being violent towards are being fascists
but they don’t see the irony in how they’re actually being fascist by trying to control peoples
opinions through force. So…yeah…it is just completely insane, you can’t let the people who are
going..you can’t decide that the people who are going to guide your decisions are the ones who are
being violent, who are threatening violence. If if anyone’s meant that [?] you would have a lot of
violence in the world. So if you want your university to stand up to violence and say hey that’s not
going, that’s not going to [?] our free speech, then you’ve got to stand up for freedom of speech and
make him speak. Let him speak. It is as simple as that. Or you know what David Seymour is wanting
to happen and I’m a sure a lot of other agree with him. You know Chris Bishop is another example of
someone whose, you know, outraged about this, you know what will happen? Massey University’s
taxpayer money will be cut, and it’ll be all the fault of the Vice-Chancellor. [?]..listen to my message
and you can call me back on [WITHHELD]. I go to school, so, you know, maybe out of school hours. I
hope you take my message to heart because I think freedom of speech it literally, the most
important right, other than the right to literally just breathe, and not have someone, you know push
you under water, so you can [?] your right to breathe, the right to freedom of speech is the most
important right. In a country where we like to call ourselves free, but it is debateable that we are
free due to circumstances like this, we really have to send a message that no violence is going to
take away our freedom.
(8) Tue 7/08/2018 12:57 PM
All you can do now you vile fucking communist is run, run and fucking hide.
(9) Wed 8/08/2018 12:42 PM
Yeah the Vice-Chancellor of Massey University is a vile cunt of a bitch who should be fucking sacked
from her job immediately for infringing upon basic human rights.
(10) Tue 7/08/2018 12:56 PM
Fuck you, you vile fucking communist, infringing on our basic fucking human right of free speech.
You’re fucking disgusting. Where the fuck is the human right commission in investigating your
fucking violation of our basic rights? Oh that’s right, they’re also fucking vile commies just like you.
Blood will be spilt, your fucking blood.
(11) Wed 8/08/2018 1:20 PM
Oh hello, [WITHHELD] speaking. I just wanted to give my support to Massey management for
cancelling the Don Brash speech. We don’t need him here, shooting his big mouth off, he should stay
in his own area and do what he likes up there. OK – well done, thank you.
(12) Mon 13/08/2018 4:05 PM
Good afternoon, it’s [WITHHELD] calling from Central Hawkes Bay. I’m a graduate of Canterbury
University and I’m very unhappy about the fact that your Vice-Chancellor has refused Don Brash
permission to speak at the University, I think that goes against everything the University stands for.
So as a result, I will not be sending my children to Massey University, under any circumstances. So if
you could pass that onto the Vice-Chancellor I’d be appreciative. Thank you, bye.
(11) Tue 7/08/2018 1:01 PM
You’re in an institution violating the fucking basic human right of free speech. Quit your job and walk
away for supporting the vile fucking communists or we will be coming for you. We will not forgive,
we will not forget. You are violating our fucking right to fucking freedom of speech. We will not give
into the terrorists fucking threatening fucking actions of violent and disgusting fucking threats, ok?
We will not fucking give into them, we will fucking win. Goodbye.
(12) Tue 7/08/2018 2:58 PM
Hello, my name is [WITHHELD] ah, I’m hoping to get a copy of the University’s statement um, on the
banning of Don Brash from your campus. Ah, my email address, if you could sent it to me is
[WITHHELD]. Ah I’d also like to record obviously my ah concern at hearing the news thus far. Um if
you would be able to send us a copy of your media statement that would be great. Thank you.
(13) Wed 8/08/2018 3:08 PM
Hi, my name is [WITHHELD]. My son is ah due to graduate from college very soon, and we’re looking
at Universities and Massey was one of them, but ah, a little bit concerned about what I’ve heard
about some free speech restrictions on campus. So I was just wondering if someone can just explain
to me what the situation is because I certainly don’t want my son to go a University where there is
restrictions on free speech. If you were able to call me back on [WITHHELD] be grand. Thank you.
(14) Wed 8/08/2018 1:04 PM
I just want to leave a message for the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor that I am appalled that a
New Zealand university does not believe in the freedom of speech anymore. I find the Vice
Chancellor’s decision to withdraw an invitation for Dr Brash to speak the most ridiculously politically
biased and frankly totally out of left field, ah decision that I can ever imagine being made in an
institution of learning, and that is all I wanted to say – I am totally appalled thank you.
(15) Tue 7/08/2018 4:42 PM
I just want to register, my um, complete abhorrence at the Vice-Chancellor’s decision to ban free
speech on the campus. I think its absolutely appalling and she should be ashamed of herself for
coming across at such a terrible call. And I just don’t know where the University is going, if this is any
indication of what’s likely to happen. I think she should reconsider the decision immediately, and
take some sound advice on free speech and have a look at Don Brash’s background, he is not that
bad. He’s a former Governor of the Reserve Bank, a leader of the opposition and he very nearly
became Prime Minister of this country. Perhaps she should become a bit more aware of his history.
Ok that’s all I’ve got to sat, but it’s absolutely appalling. Goodbye.
(16) Wed 8/08/2018 8:54 AM
Yes good morning my name is [WITHHELD] from Auckland. I am calling to register my disgust about
the childish and infantile and idiotic banning of Don Brash from speaking by Jam Thomas. I listened
to her interview with um Larry, ah on the drive time on News Talk ZB last evening, and she wasn’t
telling the truth she has ums and ahs to be [?], she hesitated, she just didn’t like what Don Brash was
saying and using her position to ban him from the University. This sort of thing will actually do more
to damage Massey’s reputation than you could believe, and a lot of people there obviously do a lot
of good work, but this stupid person, has um, damaged Massey’s reputation and a as and to call
itself a university is a joke. So um, you’ve got a clown for a Vice-Chancellor, sorry to say. Goodbye.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc: Don Brash
Subject: [#457760] Cancellation of Don Brash"s Invitation to speak.
Date: 7 August 2018 4:41:35 PM
Good afternoon,
As an enforced supporter of your University’s activities, I am shocked by the news of your

intention to prevent the meeting with Dr Brash from going ahead.
The growth of Totalitarianism from both the Left and the Right in politics has been marked
in the world by decisions such as yours to deny people the right to hear and decide issues
for themselves. No doubt you will claim that you are not preventing the right to speak,
simply the right to use the University Resources. This is lame, but is in keeping with the
abhorrent activities of University Socialists – now empowered to distort the processes of
democracy by their threats of violence to either the Speaker or the Venue.
You stewardship of the University and its environs is entrusted to you by the tax payers of
this country, and your failure to allow them to be used for the purposes of discussion and
debate is a mark of how far the concept of “University” has crashed in the 21st Century. I
would not have come to hear Dr Brash, but I defend to the death the right of others so to
do. And since I was born during the Last Unpleasantness which underlined views on the
uses of free speech with a startling similarity to yours, I tell you that I live in hope that
very soon people will rise against your actions and the right you believe you possess to
enforce them against others.
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07/08/2018 16:28:12
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: "Massey University bans Don Brash from speaking"
Ki ora Jan,
My name is .
I’m currently enrolled in MA sociology, and in the final stages of writing-up my Thesis. My Thesis is broadly
about
One of the main points that ties the Thesis together is the idea that we need to have
discussions about racism in our society or else racism will become a taboo subject. That is, if discussions are
blocked, or banned from happening, it will be perceived that, by and large, racism doesn’t exist in our society.
All the while, it is (re)produced at a systemic level, which is clearly evident if we consider the
overrepresentation of, particularly, Maori statistical rates in areas such as employment, prison, suicide, and so
on.
I understand that you must be in a predicament. The current social climate is telling us that we can’t have
discussions about issues of ‘race’ for ‘health and safety’ reasons. Any decision to hear-out extreme right-wing
views would be hard to make.
I would like to offer you a solution. Don Brash being able to speak at Massey should in no way be a ‘debate’.
We need to, however, have a conversation about it. This would be a way for the larger public to understand
the reason behind Maori being the recipients of affirmative action, and for the public to understand how
ridiculous extreme-right wing groups’ arguments are. We need to have a conversation otherwise racism could
become a taboo subject.
Recently Massey hosted a forum whereby those opposed to Maori wards were able to have their say.
However, one (or some) of the people that opposed Maori wards left the room during the mihi. I want to
suggest that a mihi should be symbolic of the fact that indigenous rights are not up for debate.
Rather than having a debate, I hope that you would carefully consider allowing a conversation to be had at
Massey; with, of course, having a mihi to start-off the discussion.
Yours sincerely
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: 2005 Alumni
Dear Jan,
I am an alumni of Massey University Palmerston North campus (Bachelor of Applied
Science (Hort) - 2002-2005.
Today, Massey University lost a great deal of credibility as a learning institution and I'm
embarrassed to be associated with my former University, one of which used to pride itself
in the upholding of free speech and free expression.
In your banning of Don Brash speaking on Massey Campus because of your own personal
political views, you have disgraced yourself and the institution you supposedly represent.
Not only did you undertake this banning of free speech because of your personal views,
you then lied to the public and used the guise of safety concerns to hide your own
disgraceful hypocritical behavior.
Please do the honorable thing and resign as Vice Chancellor.
Yours Sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: A bit of moral support
Dear Professor Thomas,
I'm unconvinced about your decision re Don Brash, and have said so. Nevertheless, I can
imagine the digital mob has come for you quite hard right now. My advice is not to let the
torridness get to you. I certainly hope you don't make any personal decisions based on the
torridness. The Internet has no sense of proportion but it also has a short attention span.
If you don't give battle to it, it soon tires itself out and fixes itself on its next arbitrary
target.
I think you should rethink the decision but just that. Within a few days, some new shiny
object will come by and the matter will be at an end.
Kind regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: A brief lecture on free speech that you urgently need
"The primary function of a university is to discover and disseminate knowledge by

means of research and teaching. To fulfill this function a free interchange of ideas is
necessary not only within its walls but with the world beyond as well. It follows that the
university must do everything possible to ensure within it the fullest degree of
intellectual freedom. The history of intellectual growth and discovery clearly
demonstrates the need for unfettered freedom, the right to think the unthinkable,
discuss the unmentionable, and challenge the unchallengeable. To curtail free expression
strikes twice at intellectual freedom, for whoever deprives another of the right to state
unpopular views necessarily also deprives others of the right to listen to those views."
http://catalog.yale.edu/undergraduate-regulations/policies/free-expression-peaceful-
dissent-demonstrations/
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: A dangerous precedent
Good Afternoon Jan
Your decision to bar Don Brash from speaking at Massey is starting down a very slippery
slope towards creating an environment where we have public organisations picking and
choosing whose freedom of speech rights to uphold based on their personal preferences or
the preferences of their stakeholders.
As a student at Otago University for a number of years I have seen on the speaking agenda
people whose opinions were far more deranged, damaging and lacking in any factual
relevance than those of Don Brash, yet they were given an audience just like many great
speakers who held views I agreed with wholeheartedly.
Mr Brash as the ex-leader of the National Party, member of parliament and governor of the
reserve bank is obviously a highly regarded and intelligent member of society in the eyes
of a lot of people. While his views are not shared by all, this is the nature of a democratic
society where by we have the right to hold different views freely, safely and with
conviction.
You and your organisation should be mature enough to allow debate around varying views
or at the very least accept peoples differences and their right to express them to a group
who chooses to associate with them.
There is no compulsion to listen to Don Brash or anyone else speaking at an event or on

the TV or radio so I’m not sure what the issue is?
If its safety based then you need to look very hard at the type of students you are producing
at Massey and the values you are instilling in them. As if its deemed acceptable to simply
threaten those who don’t hold your views and as such those views are censored by
institutions then in fact they have managed to supress them through thuggish behaviour
and with your cowardly act of banning Don from speaking you are pandering to and even
encouraging them.
There any many things in life I can’t stand hearing and completely disagree with, as is my
right, and I exercise that right by not attending these events or listening to these peoples
views, I don’t threaten them or attempt to censor them.
I implore you to take your role as creating a safe environment for people to express
different views, hold informed and mature debate while upholding the mantra of freedom
of speech more seriously and reconsider your approach on this matter.
You are setting a dangerous precedent.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: A query for your response
Hi Jan,
As a student at Massey University its disappointing to hear that you have cancelled the speaking event with Don
Brash and it seems to be a worrying trend of the vocal minority flexing their strength to cancel peoples right to
speak, and others to listen. However, I do understand if threats were made to student safety and that is
something that would have to be taken under consideration. I am interested to know the facts of the matter and
what lead you to cancel an event organised by a student association? Free speech is a core tenant of western
society, especially in Universities, and I don’t think events should be cancelled unless extreme cases warrant so.
I’m sure you’re aware of current polls on nzherald and stuff that are currently sitting at about 85% of survey
participants who think you made the incorrect decision.
As a representative of mine, I look forward to your response
Kind Regards
From: Ponder The Path 1611
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: A rookie move, but a welcome one to be sure.
Dear Ms Thomas,
I hope I find you well.
After reading how Don Brash has been uninvited from speaking at Massey University,
I couldn't help but think how you're helping the hardline right wing, free speech solidify
and connect with each other.
By denying anybody a platform that was previously promised to them, and maintained for
several months until just before the event,
Frankly smacks of a political stunt (a welcome one).
You haven't succeeded in hurting Mr Brash's reputation, not hurt any cause he represents.
No, all you've done is put more fuel on the fire that's currently raging as a result of this
past weekends events involving (or excluding) Miss Southern and Mr Molyneux.
Right wing and conservative organizations (who I might add, have real jobs, and hold real
economic persuasion, unlike left wing activists who are professional protesters and
amateur artists) are currently meeting, discussing how to appropriately (and peacefully)
retaliate to any and every attack on freedom of speech.
This includes spineless cowards who reneg.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: A Sad Day Indeed For Free Speech
It saddens me to hear the outcome of a proposed visit by Dr Don Brash. What were you
thinking?
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: A very poor decision, poor judgement to uninvite anyone from speaking on campus.
Date: 8 August 2018 8:53:17 AM
Unbelievable that a threat from an individual scares Massey Uni into uninviting a speaker. Are
we going to be ruled by the minority who make threats.
The correct action would be to persecute those who make the threats !!
I’m ashamed of my alma mata.
“Nothing in the past is dead to the person who would learn how the present came to be”
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Actions of University management
To Professor Jan Thomas and members of the University Council, Massey University.
8 August 2018
Dear Vice Chancellor:
I served as the to Dr Don Brash during the period he led the New Zealand
National Party. (This period, I understand, was to be the topic of his address today to
politics students at your university before you unilaterally cancelled it on “security”
grounds, while at the same time criticising some of Dr Brash’s political views).
Over that period, I spent more time with Dr Brash, both at Parliament and travelling the
length and breadth of New Zealand, than any other person did (including his own family
who - unfortunately - got a pretty raw deal when it came to the work demands placed on an
Opposition Leader in the service of his country - no doubt the family of William Ferguson
Massey experienced similar in his day).
In more than fifteen years of knowing Don, including that very intensive work period from
to I have not ever heard him utter - publicly or privately - a single word that
could be regarded as “hate speech” or racist in nature.
I am therefore astonished at your decision to block Dr Brash, an eminent New Zealander

who has given decades of service to this country, from speaking to politics students at your
campus today. I am disappointed and dismayed by your continuing muddled statements to
the media drawing inferences to hate speech and race. These are profoundly ill-informed,
inaccurate and unedifying comments from the academic leader of a public institute of
higher learning.
My connection to Maori and to education is strong. I attended a state secondary school in

the Eastern Bay of Plenty with a roll comprised every year of more than 55% Maori, the
vast majority of whom elected me to represent them on my school’s board of trustees. My
tertiary studies were completed at Waikato under the tutelage of esteemed Maori law
professors and a former Attorney General and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
My mother attended a primary school in rural Manawatu with a roll of more than 95%
Maori students, many of whom became lifelong family friends. And in fact my last visit to
your region was to attend the tangi of a close family member held at a local marae in the
Rangitikei district. So I know the people, I know the issues, and I have certainly come
across some prejudiced and racist types in my time, (including while working with
indigenous communities in your homeland of Australia), but Don Brash is certainly not
one of them.
In respect of education, I have personally known and at various points engaged with nine
of the past ten consecutive New Zealand Education Ministers over the course of my career,
including the incumbent. I have worked extensively across the sector, serving as both a
student union leader in my early days and as a consultant to a university vice chancellor.
I therefore feel quite confident in contrasting your behaviour this week with that of your
predecessor, the Hon Steve Maharey, who I had a little bit to do with in the past. We may
have disagreed on a number of fundamental political and social issues of the time,
nevertheless he was always appropriate and decent in his language towards me and my
colleagues, unafraid of rigorous, respectful debate, and he was in turn always warmly
welcomed at my campus to express his opinions, offer his views and provide counterpoints
on political topics to my interested student members. It shocks me that the University he
went on to lead now believes that censorship of opinion is more important than intelligent
debate, and blithely deems Dr Brash’s substantial contributions to public policy to be
somehow inconsequential to students of New Zealand politics. This is a public university
and a place for the fearless expression of ideas, not your private fiefdom.
One final point I would like to make on the curious issue of “security” which you claim as
the basis for cancellation. As Reserve Bank Governor for fourteen years, Dr Brash knows a
thing or two about security. And as Opposition Leader for three years with an enormous
public following, he often had a security detail that was larger in size than that of the Prime
Minister, a team both he and I worked with extremely closely on a daily basis.
As a former Member of Parliament, and indeed even just as an ordinary citizen, Dr Brash
is entitled to the protection of the New Zealand Police if his personal safety is ever at risk.
I note reports yesterday in which Police say that at no point were they contacted by you to
raise concerns over threats to Dr Brash's security, or to the security of your students or
campus, in advance of your decision. Had they been, I know from my extensive experience
working with them that a risk assessment would’ve been swiftly undertaken and, were it
necessary for Police intervention, support would have been provided without hesitation.
That you somehow believed a “threat” to be sufficiently credible to cancel an event but not
sufficiently serious to notify Police in the interests of the personal safety of other citizens
is a dereliction of duty for which Massey University should profusely apologise.
This incident has been a very regrettable stain on the reputation of Massey University, and
in dealing with it further I encourage you to take better counsel than that which you are
currently receiving.
Yours sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Alumni appalled at your Brash decision.
To Jan Thomas
I can't believe what you've done today. Your earlier column against
so-called hate speech was bad enough - because hate speech gives a small
clique charged with interpretation power over my free speech and free
speech proper - but banning Brash, a former leader of the opposition and
Reserve Bank governor, for heaven's sake, for the dual reasons of the
threat of violence by your dreadful current student body (which is a
police issue, by the way) and because, worse, you don't agree with
Brash's views, is the gutter for a university.
I have two degrees from Massey, Business Studies in accounting and first
class honours in accountancy, both degrees with an A+ average, but I
feel like they are junk and I'm thinking of sending them back to you.
What value does a degree have from a university that doesn't support
Enlightened values and scholarship vis a vis the cut and thrust of
diverse debate and the free flow of ideas?
You might be aware of David Farrar's well-read Kiwiblog. He has just put
a post up suggesting nine ways to protest your academic negligence:
https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2018/08/massey_vc_kills_off_free_speech_on_campus.html
I disagree with David on his first method, that of employers boycotting

Massey graduates, as I hate that progressive tactic of boycotting and
silencing, and going for people's livelihoods, but I can guarantee you
some business people will take up that cudgel. You are doing real harm
philosophically, and to the real opportunities and futures of Massey
students and alumni.
Reassess your principles, please: personally, I don't think you belong

in a university.
Yours faithfully, with no respect,
--
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: As a fifth generation NZ.......
Dear Ms Thomas
It is incomprehensible to me that a person of Don Brash undoubted intellectual ability could be denied the right
to express his ideas in a NZ Tertiary Institution; the silencing of any valid, contradictory position, without
debate, in any argument completely undermines the precepts of traditional University Campus's.
Yours faithfully
Sent from my iPad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: As an Allumini and Employer of Massey Grads I am appalled!
Ms Thomas,
As a Massey graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) I am

absolutely appalled and bewildered
at your current stance around free speech. University is a place of
debate, a place to safely listen, debate
all ideas, no matter what side of the fence you are on. In fact thats
where we develop who we are and
where we can safely say whatever we think. No more. Massey has become
an unsafe environment
if you think or even want the debate outside of the popular view.
Whether or not you agree with Don Brash (or I do for that matter) is
beside the point. He was the leader
of the National party for heaven's sake. Who on earth do you think you are?
Your stance that it is based on threats of violence is hollow.
My understanding is that there were no threats of violence. There was

one letter from a student.
However if there was a threat then it is your duty to inform the
appropriate authorities and provide security.
Instead you have bowed down to the thug. It will be a wonder if you get
anyone speaking at the University as in your
book it only takes one thug to veto and determine who speaks.
My perception of you and reading what you have said about him its more
likely that when you dont agree with
someone you close them down.
You have said that Brash is a 'hate speaker' which is ridiculous and
narrow minded. If you think you
can close down people's ideas and opinions because you decide to, then
you lose the opportunity
to find out what people's ideas are and perhaps in debate you all come
up with better ideas.
Thats the premise of the University surely - to debate all ideas. Its
called 'free speech' and is the
foundation of society.
I am ashamed of you and to be associated with Massey University. I have

employed many Massey University
students over the last 20 years. But no longer. I make a stand not to
employ your students. Because
thats one thing I can do to show you the depth of feeling I have about
what you have done. Clearly your students
will be indoctrinated with only the ideas you allow and thats not good
enough for me as an employer.
The rich fabric of society is built on a myriad of ideas, not what you
consider to be the 'right' idea.
From:
To: Alumni Relations; Thomas, Jan
Subject: Ashamed to be a Massey Alumnus
Hi Jan,
I have been reading with chagrin the coverage of Massey's cancelled event in the
Manawatu campus with guest speaker Don Brash.
A university is supposed to be the very place for students to challenge their own and
others' ideas and engage in a healthy debate with others. The most impactful learning
experiences occur during a healthy debate with someone of opposing views
To avoid being offended in pursuit of creating a "safe space" will undermine your
students' ability to be intellectually honest in pursuit of the truth. In fact, beyond the
university, in any environment one has to risk being offended in search for truth and
knowledge.
It is understandable to try to err on the side of caution in order to "protect" your Maori staff
and students, and I appreciate you must have felt some pressure post the wrongful banning
(in my opinion) of Stefan Molyneux and Lauren Southern's event. Any member of staff or
students that for some reason feel offended by the very presence of Don Brash have two
options:
(1) Do not attend the event or engage in any conversation of the event
(2) Engage in the event, attend the talk and challenge Don Brash in a Q&A or privately
The environment in colleges in the USA are becoming increasingly polarised as certain
institutions have made decisions similar to yours. This is fast becoming a social problem in
the USA - please don't let this happen to Massey and New Zealand either.
I am not expecting a private reply - but can only hope you will consider my email
seriously. Or maybe watch a couple of videos and podcasts of the brewing problem in the
USA. I recommend watching full-length videos/podcast interviews and articles from a
diverse set of opinions to avoid being misled by clickbait and sensationalistjournalistm
(Stefan Molyneux and Lauren Southern are victims of this).
Kind regards,
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Australian concern
Please leave my country, you are not welcome here!
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Ban Don Brash-and there is more!
Date: 8 August 2018 12:15:05 PM
Dear lady,
And there are more(even from a left wing commentator) I suspect that by now
you will be regretting this decision..
https://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2018/08/stephen-franks-on-massey-universitys-law-
breaking/
Kind regards
FREE Animations for your email Click Here!

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Ban Of Don Brash
Madam
Until today I never believed I would live to witness such craven capitulation by a New
Zealand university to bullies and thugs as evidenced by your cancellation of Don Brash's
engagement at Massey University tomorrow.
The quality and inaccuracy of your comments about Brash and his views make me wonder
how in God's name you got the job you currently - and I now hope, temporarily - occupy.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Ban on Don
Date: 7 August 2018 10:04:50 PM
"Massey University is a powerhouse of intellect, invention and creativity."

but obviously not political debate!
I am not a National Party supporter, but do have a degree of respect for Don Brash, former
Reserve Bank Governor and Leader of the Opposition. I think he deserves better treatment
than this
I probably have more interest in hearing his views now that he has been banned than I ever
did before.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Banning Don Brash from speaking at Massey
Dear Ms Thomas,
I am absolutely shocked to hear that Don Brash is banned from speaking at Massey,
because not all his views are acceptable to you and you fear some ‘violence’. If this
suppression of #FreeSpeech goes on in New Zealand, I greatly fear for our democracy.
These are socialist/Marxist tactics and that’s not what our family immigrated to this
country for in 1980!
Phil Goff seems to have started a downward roller coaster with banning Lauren Southern
and Stefan Molyneux from civic venues. Most people don’t even have a clue what they
stand for and simply spout the lies of the left Mainstream Media. Have you listened to their
videos? I doubt it!
I also very much like Nigel Farage, Douglas Murray and Jordan Peterson and see that their
visits might be in danger. What is happening to this country, if different opinions are no
longer allowed to be heard??? We are on a very very dangerous path!
A very concerned citizen

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Banning Don Brash
Dear Massey University - Vice Chancellor Ann Thomas
What a memorable and very sad day for academia in New Zealand., and especially so for Massey
University. Your unilateral decision to ban Don Brash from a speaking engagement at the Massey
University campus is a deplorable abuse of your position. The decision is without question a
demonstration of an ill equipped and weak leader who cannot display courage and is incapable of
providing a role model to students and wider society to robustly debate matters and promote open and
academic discussion.
Your behaviour has made my decision about which university my children should enrol with, very
simple - it will NOT be Massey University. I cannot abide the thought of my children being under the
“leadership” of a reactive , ill-informed, and demonstrably politically biased and prejudiced vice-
chancellor.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Hi Jan Thomas,
I am a Massey alumini (PN campus 1990-1994) but I must say I am not very proud of that right now after
witnessing your actions to curtail free speech at a leading NZ University.
What an absolute disgrace and shame on you.
Very weak and as it turns out false claim about the security threat. The PN police haven’t been consulted about
the matter so that statement was a lie.
You educated elites from around the world who are pushing your idealistic, namby pamby, politically correct,
liberalist, antifa nonsense on all these young people - for what reason? As soon as they get out and get well paid
and meaningful work they inevitably vote conservative because they see the mouldy liberal/labour/green
agendas for what they are - intellectually devoid policies which is why we have so much virtue signalling
politics now days. It is easy and doesn’t take a lot of brains to squeal “racist” or “victim”.
I would urge you to retract your stupid and embarrassing decision regarding Don Brash (superb speaker &
intellect and a great NZ’er) and resign as expeditiously as possible.
Bests,
Papua New Guinea

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Banning Free Speech
Date: 9 August 2018 12:24:11 PM
As a member of an extended family which has 23 with part-maori ancestry, I

object strongly to a so-called haven of free speech, a university, stopping a
speech by Don Brash (the content of which it is said you were not even aware
of). I believe that you should have reported the threats that you got to the Police,
who have said they never heard from you. The alternative, which you chose, is a
step backwards to tribalism based on physical dominance through violence,
which my family have left behind. Even if Dr Brash's speech had been pre
published, and found to be not acceptable to tribalists, he should have been able
to make it.
Very poor management, and a bad reflection on academia.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Banning hate speech on campus:
Try banning sausage rolls you fat pig.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Banning Mr Braash
Dear Ms Thomas.
Your decision to ban Mr Brash from speaking as an invited speaker to a

student group is absolutely appalling.
The reasons you have given of
1) fear of violence by opponents (that is what the police are for)
2) your opinion that he would be stating hate speech (how so you know
what he was going to say? We are all entitled to say what we wish.
However if we extend to hate speech then we suffer the consequences of
police action. It is NOT your job to censor free speech in this country)
3) your opinion that he is a racist. (He is actively opposing all the
institutionalized racism that is endemic in this country)
are all not valid in any way whatsoever. As a person of standing in the
University you should be ashamed of yourself.
Our ancestors who fought in the world wars to give us the rights of
freedom (including the right to free speech) would be totally ashamed of
you.
I hereby implore you to correct the huge mistake you have made by
reinstating Mr Brash' opportunity to speak and by making an apology to
him.
If you feel that you are unable to do so, then I suggest you reconsider
your position within the bastion of free thinking and free speech that
is a University.
Yours sincerely
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Banning of Don Brash
Date: 8 August 2018 11:08:37 AM
I am now into my 7th decade and until now I have never been moved sufficiently to take
the step of actually communicating my "outrage" at a decision or event.
That has changed. As a Massey Alumni I am apalled at the step you have taken to ban Don
Brash. Regardless of the reason you choose, security or hate speech, it is either a craven
response to a questionable threat or an attempt to muzzle the opinions of others who you
disagrre with in order to advance your political agenda.
Either way you have taken a completely inappropriate course of action and you need to
take responsibility for your poor judgement and admit it publicly. It is not your job to
restrict free speech and involve your office in politics
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
The banning of Don Brash from speaking at your university is really quite atrocious, an act
deserved of mockery and bad publicity. Who will defend freedom, if not a university?
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
I would like to express my alarm at your attempt to muzzle any thoughts or ideas that do not
match your warped view of our society.
IT’s an absolute disgrace and I feel sure the majority of the community will be very alarmed at
your descision.
Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Dear Jan Thomas,

I am utterly appalled that you have bowed to pressure from people threatening violence and are refusing to
allow Don Brash to speak on Massey’s campus and I’m actually in favour of Maori language and biculturalism.
I come from a long line of free thinkers who don’t adhere to the religious dogma of the day.
I am fast becoming a dissident of this society which enables people in the media, politicians or university
chancellors to presume to censor ideas and thereby protect me from myself.
What are you afraid of? Being criticized by your staff and pushed out of your job? Just because those that would
advocate for free speech aren’t the ones that threaten violence feel safer siding with the violent ones?
That there will be acts of violence carried out by advocates of free speech to join with the threats of violence by
the totalitarians who would shut them down?
Can you not see how you are getting your lefts and rights confused?
The Nazis were the National Socialist Party.
Siding with the thugs is a very Nazi thing to do.
Yours sincerely
Sent from my iPad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Date: 9 August 2018 10:07:13 AM
Hello Jan
I am sorry to hear of your recent decision to ban Don Brash from

speaking at Massey. I am a licensed private investigative blogger,
white-59 yo male, a non denominational conservative Christian, with
probably opposing views on many issues to yourself.
Thank you though for motivating me to research and dig into your role
at Massey and this decision which I find to be interesting and
unusual.
Please copy me into any formal reply from either yourself or your
employer to public comment so that I may understand your position
correctly. Thank you
--
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Banning of Free Speech
Dear Professor,
It's disappointing to learn that people like Don Brash can't speak at a University due to security
concerns.
It seems whenever the hard left disagree with a speaker, they resort to the threat of violent protesting
and this results in the event being cancelled and/or moved.
Many Universities throughout Australia and New Zealand seem have been taken over by "career
lefties" in their faculties many of whom have never experienced a working life outside of the campus.
In my opinion, this is leaving students poorer as universities should be a place of learning and robust
discussion from both sides of the political spectrum.
I have two young children and I would like to think that after school they would attend a NZ University
like I did.
I hope that by this time, the principles of free speech will be applied.
Regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc: c.hipkins@ministers.govt.nz
Subject: Banning of Speakers on campus
http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/news/article.cfm?mnarticle_uuid=B3E11F9F-2C2C-4E9B-
A0AD-352E72A76BB6
I am appalled that the first time I hear about our University's new leader you are banning innocuous former
politicians from speaking at my university. Like many of these unwarranted banning its merely raises the
profile of the person banned and so should you be so deeply ashamed of his views ( treat people equally?)
banning them certainly has raised the issue even higher.
I presume you would ban the current Minister from speaking for the same reason or similar reasons should you
either personally disagree with their views or fear a minor insurrection, and should any threats be received about
any teacher you would similarly ban them. I would suggest you may need to ban yourself soon as you will
cause many students to rise up against such tyranny.
I am a Massey University alumni 1983, and a Trustee of my old High School and am deeply saddened that the
level of victimhood and fear that pervades our education system
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Baring Don Brash
Dear Jan Thomas,
I have recently learnt of your decision to bar Don Brash from speaking at the MUSA Clubs
and Politics Society.
I am extremely worried and disappointed with this decision. To simply ban someone from
speaking because a student may not agree with what they say is ludacris and sets an
extremely scary precedent.
University's are a place of open and free thought where ideas are meant to be challenged.
Quite frankly I can't believe you did what you did. If we can not have free speech and free
thought at universites , where can we possibly have it. Are we to silence any speaker or
lecturer who says something that a student may not agree with.
I urge you to re-think the potential consequences of your decision.
Regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Book burning
Date: 7 August 2018 10:13:07 PM
Jan,
Please clarify how your publicly funded university’s stance in denying a speaker is anything but book burning?
Thanks,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Brash ban
Dear Vice Chancellor
So, you have banned Brash because of security concerns? You realise this is just a dumb tactic by
the left to ban speeches by people they hate, eh?
This will now be the case for any “conservative” (whatever that means) speaker in New Zealand.
They will set up a venue, and some knuckle dragging moron will make a violent threat, and they
will be banned.
Because no-one in New Zealand has any spine or backbone anymore. Like you. For fear of having
“peoples feelings hurt”, or some such namby pamby BS.
Utterly disgusting.
So left me make a blanket theoretical threat to all so-called “left wing” speakers at Massey then.
Because I am not a violent person at all, and would never harm a fly.
Here is the theoretical threat – I will initate violence against any left wing speaker who speaks at
Massey University. What will you do? Ban all them from speaking as well, because of “Fear” that
I might actually carry out that threat?
Obviously I wont, because i would never break the law and I have never lifted a finger in violence
against anyone in my life, but you see my point – where will this end?
So what I want you to do is take my theoretical threat of violence against any and all “left wing”
speakers at Massey (whatever “left ewing means, being a sweeping generalisation), seriously.
And therefore they will all be banned! Simple!
Oh that’s right. I would never stoop to the tactics of the idiot knuckle dragging left and issue
actual threats. You will never see me stoop that low.
So for God’s sake grow up, let debate happen, and if you think you ar right (which of course you
think you are, because you think you are so fucking superior to everyone else), then allow
debate to flow freely. I mean, why are you scared of a tired old man? Where is your courage, the
strength of your convictions? Oh of course! You dont have any! BECAUSE YOU ARE A
COWARD!!!!!
Let the old man speak. If you think you are so right, no-one will turn up to listen to him
anyway.
Yours Sincerely (and meant with the utmost sincerity)

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Brash Ban
Hi Jan,
Your speech ban on Don Brash is appalling. I don't agree with Don Brash on many things, but
a former Reserve Bank Governor and leader of two political parties should be allowed to go
and speak to a university politics society. Free speech should flourish at universities; not be
suppressed. As a student myself, I am thoroughly unimpressed.
Very poor form.
.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Brash ban
Jan,
I believe your stance on Don Brash speaking on campus is wrong. I am a believer in the
quote " I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”, and I hope for our
future as a country that most New Zealanders believe in it too.
I believe we should all have the right to offend someone as long as it doesn't defame them or incite people to
violence or physically threaten that person.
I hope you will reconsider what is a slight on your University and its charter.
Kind regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Brash cancellation
Good afternoon, Jan,

I was surprised, alarmed, certainly deeply saddened, to hear that you have cancelled a
planned forum at Massey where Dr Don Brash was apparently scheduled to speak. Is this
correct?
Our universities have a proud reputation for encouraging open debate and discussion,
even protests on all manner of subjects-Vietnam, Feminism,All Black tours of South Africa,
even neo- Marxism, which has many current adherents amongst the academic staff. How
on earth can students be adequately informed if they are not allowed to hear proponents
of a wide variety of ideas? I understand you took this view on health and safety grounds?
You would have to have had sound grounds for taking such a serious decision. But you also
unfortunately took this opportunity to accuse Dr Brash of espousing views which you claim
come close to “hate speech’? You are very poorly advised if that is the case and I would
expect that whoever advised you on this matter be sanctioned.The Human Rights
Commission has a very high threshold of what constitutes “hate speech” and you and your
staff would be well advised to familiarise yourselves with the HRC standards before
retreating to accusations of “hate speech”. I have never heard Dr Brash offer anything
other than an alternative view to enforced biculturalism, which is a mile away from any
interpretation of “hate speech”?
No need to respond, I am sure there will be plenty of other alumni and friends of the
university who view your unfortunate comments in a very poor light.
Kind regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Brash speech
I couldn’t agree with you less. You are the embodiment of all that is wrong in this country!
Sent from my iPad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Brash talk to student club cancelled due to security concerns
Dear Professor Thomas
Like many New Zealanders, probably a majority, I am extremely concerned about the recent and
serious curtailment of our right to free speech, of which you are now a part of.
Your press release regarding the cancellation of Mr Brash’s invitation to speak at Massey University
states:
Our ultimate responsibility is for the safety and wellbeing of students, staff and members of the public
on our campuses and under those circumstances cancelling the booking is the right thing to do.
It is very obvious that this is a ploy to shut down conversations on matters that you, and others at
your university, do not agree with, exactly the same as the ploy Mr Goff and his council staff recently
employed in Auckland. It is obvious that this is so because nowhere in your press release do express
any abhorrence or displeasure at the threat of violence on your campus. Any decent, fair minded New
Zealander would have at least expressed their frustration at these developments.
I do not agree with most of Dr Brash’s views but whether or not you or I agree with him is irrelevant.
All of sudden New Zealand seems to be on a slippery slope to becoming intolerant, agitated and
divided as has occurred in many other nations around the world. The right to free speech must be
protected and enhanced with a steely determination. It is extremely disturbing to me that your
institution, of all places, would cave in so easily to the threats of violence.
It is also telling that you did not offer more assistance to the student’s politics club to control the
possible mob who were threatening violence. Did the university discuss any of this with the police?
There is no mention of these steps being taken. I am therefore left with the impression that you are
entirely comfortable with groups threatening violence so that they can use a “thug’s veto” over groups
who wish to simply debate ideas. One word sums up your position; Spineless.
You should have done much more to uphold and protect New Zealanders right to free speech.
Regards
Christchurch
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Brash talk
Hi Jan
Some say that universities are a left wing culture. Freedom of speech is an idea embraced
by liberals, until recently. Now opposing views are forbidden.
But more to the point, caving into a threat is understandable for a meek personalty. But
you Jan are a chancellor, and are expected to make tough decisions. If you buckle at any
threat some factions will know they can stifle free speech with a bit of a threat.
Your actions reinforce most Kiwi's view that Universities are no longer places to train the
mind to think and evaluate, but are centres of indoctrination
T^his may be frightening for you personally , but you need to show some leadership and
allow contrary opinions to be aired.
Looking forward to the announcement

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Brash visit
Date: 8 August 2018 10:16:12 AM
Dear Dr Thomas,
This is just to let you know that when I read about the banning of
the Don Brash talk I felt ashamed of, and concerned for, the
university where I served as a lecturer for 30 years. That action
seemed to be the antithesis of everything for which a true university
stands. In the early days we put much effort into developing Massey
University to the stage where it was recognised (by most) as an
institution on a par with the older New Zealand universities but I
feel that your latest action has resulted in a step backwards.
Sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Brash
Another cowardly twat,why do you people give in to these lefty neanderthal thugs. They
have no idea what they are against and they have the nerve to think they have the right to
dictate what is hate speech and what is not and to decide for me who I can listen to, They
certainly showed their colours last Saturday when they confronted that counter group.
They are braindead and the only way they can get others to conform is to use stand over
tactics such as threats and the use of words like bigot and racist and phobic and fascist.
They obviously have no brains because they are the fascists. A fascist suppresses
knowledghe and information,just as these clowns are doing.
To think adern says these people are good and she is running the country. God help us.
Regards
TeAwamutu
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Cancelation of free speech at Massey university
Jan
Any person who is an advocate for individual freedoms including free speech is very concerned with your
recent decision to kneel to the demands of a minor few indecent people.
I think one needs to be brave and righteous and stand for liberty even if you disagree with the views.
A very sad day for New Zealand liberty.
Please think this position over
Kind Regards
Sent from my iPhone

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Cancellation of Don Brash speech to Massey University Politics Society
I read with dismay this afternoon that you have announced the university has cancelled the
speech pre-booked by Don Brash with the University's Politics Society, in which I believe
he was asked to speak about his experience as Leader of The National Party.
You have given into the so-called heckler's\thugs veto in taking this action. You are letting
a vocal minority of narrow-minded thugs and bullies get their way. These bullies are anti-
free speech and their motives are purely political.
You and people like you, are giving validity to this tactic, where anyone can shut down
speech they disagree with by threatening violent protest:
Your actions are in complete contradiction of a publicly-funded universities’ role in

hosting robust debate and the free exchange of ideas.
You should reconsider your decision. You should instead, work with authorities to
provide a safe environment for the expression of ideas on the Massey campus.
As an alumni of Massey, I believe that the fundamental role of universities is to
foster dissenting views, debate, throw light on and challenge the establishment,
but certainly not shut down speech.
Which side of history do you wish to remembered on? Presently you are on the
wrong side.
I urge you to reconsider your position on this matter. Should you decide to let your
decision stand, then you should reconsider your suitability for the position of the
University’s Vice-Chancellor and resign.
Yours faithfully,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Cancellation of Don Brash Speech
Attachments: Lindsay Shephard Lawsuit.pdf
It would appear that the University of Massey, in caving to a “thugs veto” and then cancelling the
Brash speech, are committed to heading in the same ideological direction as Wilfred Laurier
University.
I have attached the affidavit of Lindsay Shepherd, who is suing Wilfred Laurier –you may
recognise some of the behaviour in yourself, and some of your Faculty.
Unlike the extreme-left, I won’t be threatening you or anyone else about your decision.
I will simply support any move going forward to de-fund your organisation, as your views are an
anthesis to liberty and freedom.
You and your organisation are an educational disgrace.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Cancellation of Don Brash Speech
Your decision today exhibits extraordinary arrogance of the rights of

Free Speech in New Zealand.
It is obvious from your stance you have capitulated to a minority who
are threatening to our right to freedom of speech. Deplorable.
Stand down and let someone with a stronger belief in our rights take
charge and challenge faceless bullies.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Cancellation of Don Brash
As an alumni of Massey University, I am greatly concerned by the actions taken by

yourself in cancelling the appearance of Don Brash at Massey University. I do not believe
that their were security concerns, and if such concerns existed then they should be
managed by campus security and the New Zealand Police.
Preventing a conservative speaker (and former Leader of the Opposition) from having a
platform sets a standard that does not bode well for the future of either the University or
New Zealand. His speech is not illegal. If he is blocked from speaking on the grounds that
you and others at the University disagree with what he has to say, then what is to prevent
any future speaker being denied a platform if those in authority deem their speech to be
"offensive"?
Universities are places where young people go to learn how to think critically, to prepare
them for the challenges of life. If they are prevented from being exposed to certain ideas,
then their ability to undertake critical thinking will be diminished. How are they supposed
to form coherent arguments against ideas that you find offensive (or defend them, if that is
their inclination) if they are being prevented by you from hearing these ideas in the first
place?
It was with shame that I heard of this action taken by you. As a Massey alumni, this
decision reflects poorly on me. It is small comfort to know that it reflects on you far worse
than it reflects on me.
I urge you to reconsider your decision.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Cancellation of Don Brashs speech
Professor Thomas,
The cancellation of Don Brash’s speech is disheartening and presages an age where views that
are contrary to those in power are automatically suppressed. It is an essential aspect of
democracy that people’s opinions are given an airing, especially in publicly funded fora. My large
annual tax bill is spent by the government on an expensive and extensive range of socialist
activities that I do not approve of, but I pay those taxes given that those in power participate in a
democratic system that gives voice to all citizens and their concerns. When those in power over
public funds and facilities deny a voice to those whose taxes provide the funding, it marks the
beginning of a breakdown of the social contract.
Your attempted rationalization that the suppression is due to ‘security concerns’ is shallow and is
not merely ‘victim-blaming’ but worse, it is ‘victim-punishing’. When we are denied speech
because of uncertain and veiled threats of violence against the speechmaker, we no longer have
law and order or a decent civilization.
I implore you to reverse your decision, and make a clear statement and a stand for the free
speech you claim to support.
Regards,
Wellington
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Cancellation of Don Brash"s speech
Good Afternoon,
I am writing to express my disgust with your decision to cancel Don Brash's speech
(ref http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/news/article.cfm?
mnarticle_uuid=B3E11F9F-2C2C-4E9B-A0AD-352E72A76BB6). Free speech is a
foundation of Western Liberal Civilisation, without which we would still quite possibly be
at risk of burning at the stake for heresy from the roman Catholic church or other feudal
lords. Your craven decision to give in to today's version of the Nazi Brownshirts - shutting
down political discussions that they didn't like with violence and threats of violence - is a
decision that history will not look kindly upon, and is a capitulation to the very worst and
most intolerant elements of society.
I urge you in the strongest possible terms to reevaluate your decision and commit again to
the values that make Western Civilisation the greatest civilisation in the history of the
world to date; one that all other cultures in the world look to with envy, and which we are
the extraordinarily lucky inheritors of.
The freedoms won by the sacrifices of our forebears; some of whom still walk the streets
of this country today, should not be so easily thrown away.
regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Cancellation of Dr Brash
I wish to register my complaint against your stance. Truth if it is in fact true should be
robust enough stand attack and examination. .your stance and from what I can ascertain as
well as your false stance on Dr Brash support of the two Canadian speakers have only
added a nail to so called freedom of speech .As an aside i would be interested if on Anzac
day you mouth the words of our fallen men about fighting for our freedom ? It appears that
nowadays that so called groups for rights have morphed into purveyors of false storylines
and they stand in judgement of people they have not met or debated with. The actions in
this case really shows that in certain groups truth is not being sought .To quote something
Mark Twain said " History may not repeat itself but sure does rhyme " I fear that while in
part your actions will feed the thugs to the times that Martin Niemoller. I would ask you
reconsider Thank you

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Cancellation of Massey University as an option
Importance: High
Dear Jan,
We have a son who is presently considering University options, Massey University being one of
them.
However we are now able to cross Massey University off this list. University is the one time in life
students have the time to sift through and debate a variety of different world views in a
passionate manner, as it allows them to think through and formulate their own viewpoint.
Your decision to cancel Don Brash's speech just because of a possible threat to "security", and
your admission that you don't agree with Brash's views, is very worrying: it sends the message
that any speakers views that you or others at your University don't agree with be shut down.
Your role is to stay neutral and you have not done this.
I don't wish my son, who is currently observing the issues of freedom of speech in his Humanities
class today, to be put in an environment such as the one you are condoning.
I trust that I will not be the only parent who discourages their children from attending Massey
University as a result of this unfortunate decision.
Auckland
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Censorship of anything other than the views of the far left is unacceptable from a NZ University
Date: 8 August 2018 12:13:13 PM
I had the misfortune to study Arts at Massey University last year and as I tell everyone I know it was extremely
disappointing. It was evident then that management and teaching staff were far left, with censorship even
creeping into the marking of my short stories.
I am now absolutely disgusted to hear of the your latest far left decision to ban Don Brash from speaking at
your university.
Disgusting. It is time Massey had a complete overhaul, and the principles of democracy and free speech be
drummed into your staff.
I can imagine enrolments will be low for the next few years because of this debacle.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Censorship of Brash
Dear VC
Your decision on Dr Brash was appalling and shows a fundamental misunderstanding of
the role of a University and a lack of confidence in the resiliance of your organistion to act
as a critic and conscience of society.
What a great shame for Massey!

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Comment as a former Massey Council member
Hi Jan
As a former member of Massey University Council ( ) I am writing to express my

deep concern that you have cancelled Don Brash’s appearance at Massey as it reflects
badly on Massey as an institution. I understand the context in which you have made your
decision but I think it really is an over reaction. Being a Vice Chancellor of a major
University is a very important position in our society and free speech is a pillar of our NZ
society so you really should be standing up for this. Even if there is some vague threat of
disruption, I believe that Universities above all other institutions in our society should take
steps to ensure that there is a chance to debate major issues. If we give in to every minor
threat then what sort of society will we have in the future ? I was at Massey during the
height of the Springbok tour protests in the 1980’s where real violence and division in our
society was happening and even at that time Massey University still allowed open debate
on campus and it proved very valuable in allowing people to reconcile. I believe that such
debate offers the best way to repudiate unsound ideologies and that suppressing any aspect
of debate on these issues only encourages the conspiracy theorists in our midst.
Yours sincerely
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Comment from an ex student
I was at Massey in the late 70s on the student council at the height of the HART protests
around Sourh Africa . We also had Sir Bob Jones as regular speaker at the business school
. Never did we ever think of banning someone whose ideas we disagreed with .It is the
height of intellectual elitism to stop debate and give people the ability to argue the case
whether you agree or not ..I find you recent decision appalling and it is a horrible stain on
my old University's reputation!

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Concern for the future of MU
Dear Vice-Chancellor.
As a NZ tax payer, and therefore a provider of funds for your university, I am forced to
communicate to you how disappointed and stunned I am by your action to cancel the talk
by Don Brash due to so called security concerns. I am very much not alone in this as I'm
sure you will discover in the near future.
I assume from the position you hold you are quite smart, I must therefore assume that you
know full well what you are doing and the precedent you are setting, which is of much
concern.
Universities are a place of differing ideas that are supposed to challenge peoples current
held thoughts and beliefs, so that we can find our way to reality and truth without violence.
By being a coward and acquiescing to threats by a small minority, you are personally
allowing the erosion of the foundation of what actual universities stand for, and I would
argue, the eventual violence that will come due to society's inability to effectively
communicate ideas, and the truth.
Not only will this impact our country as a whole, but I would also imagine, and hope, that
you will see much reduced student numbers as more people realize that there is no point in
paying for, and going to, a University that isn't willing to challenge them in any way, or
show them the big picture.
If you have any shred of decency left, and to preserve the credibility of your institution,
you should resign immediately as you are clearly not fit for the position you hold.
If you are not personally to blame for this extremely concerning turn of events I rescind
my comments specifically directed at you, and urge you to take action!
Sincerely and without malice.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Concerning the rejection of Dr Brash
I write to express my concern at your decision to prevent Dr Don Brash from speaking at your campus, for the
reasons I shall outline.
The contest of ideas should be at the heart of the universities, and it is through free expression of ideas and
dialect that we can sift the good from the bad and to learn.
I am concerned about your decision and the precedent it sets. Having seen free association threatened by
confronting and aggressive protests by activists at the New Zealand Petroleum Conference in recent years, I am
convinced that we must not give in to threats and bullying. If we do that, free society yields its powers to
opponents of freedom, to our long-term detriment.
Lastly, and quite sadly I must say, you have damaged the reputation of Massey University by portraying that it
is not an institution that welcomes contrary views and critical discussion.
Regards
Resident of Wellington and graduate of Victoria University of Wellington
Sent from my iPhone

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Concerns regarding the banning of Don Brash from speaking
I am writing to you regarding your decision to ban Don Brash from a speaking event at the
Manwatu campus tomorrow.
As a second year mature student at Massey, I wish to highlight the dangerous precedent I
believe your decision has set. From what I have read online, your decision was based on the
inability of the event to meet the requirements around security and public safety. I gather this
inability was due to the posts being made on social media regarding a possible protest or the
like.
If these threats of hostility and opposition to Mr Brash speaking were the main cause of the ban,
what is to stop anybody from threatening the same against a speaker or group they disagree
with in the future? I am not a supporter of Don Brash nor the Hobson’s pledge group which he
was intending to represent, but I believe a university - of all places - should be a venue for open
discussion and debate to take place. I also believe that we cannot bow to those who threaten
violence or disruption, if anything, we should stand up to such threats to ensure voices are
heard, whether we agree with them or not.
We are taught at Massey to “think critically” and I believe, by banning Mr Brash from speaking,
you have removed the opportunity for students to practice what you teach.
Your sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Congratulations!
Date: 8 August 2018 11:18:59 AM

Congratulations on your recent action in barring Dr Donald Brash from addressing your Students.
As a card carrying member of the NZ Communist Party it is important that NZ Students are not
exposed to right wing views that subversives such as Dr Brash expose.
You will agree, I am sure, as you are also a member of the Communist Party, that we cannot
allow the right wing to gain any foot hold whatsoever.
We need, as you are no doubt keen to do, to follow the lead taken by American Universities by
tearing down statues of colonial figures that subjected our indigenous people to progress in their
drive to colonise New Zealand.
There are plenty of examples of how successful left wing politicians have improved the
conditions of their people in countries such as Iran, China and North Korea to name just a few.
Keep up the good work!
Karl would have been proud of you.
Your Comrade in Arms
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Contact from staff profile - free speech banned
Hi Jan,
I was saddened to hear that you , on behalf of the University had banned free speech, due to
threats of violence on social media.
That is clearly the wrong decision, as now there is no free speech in New Zealand.
The speech should go ahead and police should arrest any protestors who are violent.
The left ? violence threatening protestors have been allowed to triumph over the right of free
speech.
My father fought in WW2 against tyranny and violence, and by your compliance with those who
threaten free speech and debate, you have put that all at risk.
Universities are supposed to be a place where ideas are shared and debated, which your actions
have now precluded, so I guess you will have to change the title of your institution now?
Your decision is wrong, wrong, wrong.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject:
I have instructed the Trust not to fund any of my children or grandchildren to

attend any program or course at any Masey university campus again.
There are always consequences when you attack the freedoms our family spent
so much of our lives to protect.
shame on you and your administration
regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan;
Subject: Cowardice in Govt and Academia
Dear Proffessor Thomas.

A free and functioning democracy is only that with freedom of association, expression and
speach, the rule of law and habeas corpus.
A non politisised Judiciary, Police force and Govt organs, including Education.
Don’t let your university give in to the thugs. Don’t let cowardice prevail.
Stand up for everyone’s voice on camass.
1. Set the parameters of behaviour and discourse.

2. Have the NZPolice Arrest those who deny others their freedoms and learning
environment.
3. Rusticate those who do violence and create mayhem.
If you and the other leaders of you university can’t do this basic of things.
Then you should apologise and resign.
All kiwi citizens are equal regardless of how the forebears came to NZ.
Yours sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Curtailment of free speech
You are anti democratic stopping Brash from speaking

I thought Unversities were bastions of freedom of expression and contrary views
Shame on you Prof Thomas
Massey is diminished by gagging certain opinions
Sent from my iPad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Death of a free society
Dear J.B Thomas
I am writing to experss my disappointment in you activist behaviour in stopping free speech on a campus
which should embrace different ideas and ways of thinking.
What you are taking part in is nothing more the socialist Marxist doctrine to purge any counter thinking to the
group-think which educational facilities seem to have an monopoly on while brain wash our children & young
adults.
I myself never made it to higher education but consider myself lucky as I watch the hundreds of programmed
uni students enter the real world only to find you do have to compete and preform to succeed in life, also a
degree in arts Humanities or media has little to offer in job prospects but good income for a bums on seats Uni
program with little to offer in substance.
I will be watching with interest what happens when left leaning speakers come & the same tactics you are
embracing are used as it will because you & your kind have started something that will now set a standard.
To have such distain against opposing views on the world would render you unable to head an educational
facility that allows all voices to be heard.
You should stand down or we many have to take action to force the Uni to release you of your position for the
safety of all at the Uni.
I am not calling for voilance only feet on the ground or disruption of day to day operations at the campus in a
peacfull manner.
Maybe a boycott by trades and services could be on the cards.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Decision regarding Don Brash event
Kia ora Jan
I am 100% behind you on the decision you made to cancel the event Don Brash was speaking at. We
can't do anything about the racism that Don Brash spreads but removing a platform for him to do so
is a good move. I witnesses first hand the hate message Hobsons Pledge spread through the Maori
Ward referendum, including a debate organised by students at Massey. It was one of the worst
things I have ever listened through. As a Tiriti o Waitangi based organisation I believe it is in Masseys
best interest to support the call you've made. Good job, you've done the right thing.
Nga mihi,
Caution: The content of this email is confidential and may be legally privileged. If it is not intended for you,
please email the sender immediately and destroy the original message. You may not copy, disclose or use the
contents in any way. Thank You.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Defense of freedom
Ms Thomas
I read with intense displeasure and dismay of your willingness to kowtow to the bullying
you have recently been exposed to. As a result I felt the need to explain the concept of
freedom to you, at least from my uneducated perspective.
I am the son of a WWII veteran, and the nephew of multiple WWII veterans. Fortunately
my father and uncles came back from that experience with their lives, although one
returned on artificial legs, on which he spent 60+ years of his life. They were all different
people in their own way, coming from many different parts of the UK. However, they all
had one thing in common, their belief in what they were fighting for. And all of them
would have summed that belief up as - "I may not agree with what you are saying, but I
will defend with my life your right to say it".
There must be many New Zealanders who are the direct descendants of veterans of two
world wars who feel the same as me. We do not have any respect for the beliefs of right or
left wing thugs; we do not believe that people who preach hatred and discrimination are
morally correct; we do not want a world in which divisiveness and bullying are the order
of the day. However, we do believe that the best way to fight those attitudes and behaviors
is through education and words, not through the threat of violence.
I have a minimal education. I went to school to play football. I sat at the back of the class
and did my best to avoid the attention of any teachers. However, I have made a successful
career for myself, working in a number of countries around the world, and have managed
to provide for my family. I have done that as a result of living in a free society.
I am a white skinned immigrant New Zealander who came here in 1973. I was racially
abused by both white skinned and brown skinned New Zealanders. My wife is a brown
skinned New Zealander and has experienced racism in her life. We both abhor such
behavior and have taught our children our values. We are not frightened of words. We are
not, and will not be frightened by the words and behaviors of thugs. We ask you to emulate
the courage with which we try and live our lives.
You have betrayed everything that an institution like Massey University should stand for.
Such behavior 50 years ago would have seen the thugs of the Soviet Union take over the
world at the point of their guns. The free world stood up to that behavior then, I ask you to
stand up to the same behavior now. What would have been the point of us facing down the
threat of nuclear annihilation then, if we were to give into the same sort of behavior now?
Freedom means freedom for all. I urge you to rethink your position.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: De-platforming Don Brash
I'm writing to officially record my concern and disgust with your decision to de-platform
Don Brash.
I will keep it brief.
Your decision to silence view points opposite to yours, thinly veiled under a pretense of
concerns with "security" is transparent for what it is and fools no one.
This kind of de-platforming and smearing of proponents of alternative political views was
widely practiced in the former USSR. A country I came to New Zealand from.
A free, fearless and democratic New Zealand.
By using your position of privilege to silence legitimate political ideas that are supported
by many New Zealanders, you are being nothing more than a bully and totalitarian boot
lick.
I know you don't care, but I feel that you need to know that there are New Zealanders who
are watching people like you. We know what you are doing and we will stand up to you.
Kind regards
From:
Thomas, Jan
Subject: De-platforming Dr Brash
Vice-Chancellor Thomas
As someone who greatly enjoyed and learnt from the robust debates and contentious opinions of guest speakers
at Auckland University 50 years ago, and whose eyes were opened by distance-learning courses from Massey
40 years ago, I was quite disappointed to hear that Massey’s values now include giving into the heckler’s veto
and denying students and staff access to views which might differ from their own.
Universities, I have always thought, are institutions pursuing truth wherever it might lead, however unpalatable
to the orthodoxies of the day. Dr Brash might or might not be completely mistaken in his views, but unless
people hear his views in his own words, rather than filtered through someone else’s sensibilities, how can
anyone know? Are Massey University’s values really so fragile that they cannot withstand a possible challenge?
Sent from my iPad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Disappointed
I am writing to express my disappointment with your decision to ban Dr Don Brash from
speaking at the Manawatu campus of Massey University.
I hold a Master of Arts with First Class Honours in Politics from the University of
Auckland and was recently awarded the Robert Chapman Postgraduate Prize for my thesis
on the British and New Zealand Labour Parties.
Until yesterday, I was contemplating doctoral studies at Massey University in the future.
Sadly, I do not feel I can associate with an institution that apparently has such low regard
for intellectual freedom and the diversity of ideas.
It is not that I agree with Dr Brash. My own politics are broadly left-wing. But I am
appalled that you would deny anyone the opportunity to speak at your university simply
because their views might evoke a passionate response.
The implicit message you send is that any controversial speaker can be silenced by the
threat of violence. Rather than give in to such a hateful ideology, Massey University
should be calling the Police (if your concerns about security are genuine).
I hope the public response has given you pause for thought. But the damage is already
done. I'm very disappointed.
Yours sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan;
Subject: Disgraceful abrogation of your duty to protect free speach
I was extremely dismayed to see that you have prevented Don Brash from speaking at
Massey University due to concerns over security.
I am reminded of the protests against the South Africa tours in 9181, where the police
showed that they can provide protection against thugs who wish to prevent freedom of
association.
Here you have bowed down to the thugs' veto, cravenly letting violent left wing protesters
prevent a right wing politician express his views.
Don Brash is a former Leader of the Opposition, who has given much to New Zealand.
You have allowed the threat of violence to frighten you into abrogating your duty as a
senior academic to protect free speech.
This is disgraceful conduct on your behalf. I do not see how you can pretend to represent
the academic traditions of New Zealand universities
Yours sincerely
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Disgraceful banning of free speech on campus
Date: 8 August 2018 10:23:05 AM
As a New Zealand citizen your behaviour is to be expected from a communist but

remember what has happened to communist countries . You are so afraid that people
will come to a different conclusion to you so your intellengence will remain challenged.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Disgraceful caving to hecklers
Dear Professor Jan Thomas
Please register my dismay and disgust at your preventing Don Brash from speaking at a tax-payer funded
university.
Don Brash is a highly respected person with a long history in our politics and of service to the public. Your
treatment of him is absolutely disgraceful.
But that of course is beside the point.
Your cavalier disregard for the most basic foundation of university education - debate and free speech - clearly
demonstrates your unsuitability to be Vice-Chancellor of a New Zealand university.
No doubt it’s too much to expect any self-awareness, but if you had even the slightest, you would reflect and
then resign.
Yours sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Disgraceful Decision re Brash
Wotta racket! You who support the would-be perpetrators of violence use the possibility of
such violence to ban speakers with whom you disagree. You taxpayer-funded Fascists of
the Left in academia are despicable.
--
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Disgraceful
Hello Jan
Universities should be bastions of freedom of expression, debate and the exchange of ideas
and opinions. What you have done re the Don Brash visit is disgraceful and belongs only
in the nightmare of an Orwellian dystopia. I will be supporting any and all legal action
against you and calls for your immediate dismissal.
Kind Regards,
The information contained in this email, together with any accompanying attachments is confidential and may also
be legally privileged. It is intended solely for the addressee(s). Do not copy or distribute this email or any of its contents found
attached. If you are not the intended recipient(s), you are hereby notified that any use, review, dissemination, distribution or copying
of these is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender as soon as possible and permanently
delete the original message. Thank you.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Disgraceful
No doubt you consider yourself a liberal. Oh how much this term is the hat that no longer fits the head it was
made for. One day the left will realise how ironic it is that you have become the new fascists. The intolerant.
The self proclaimed police of this so called “hate speech.”
You should hang your head in shame and if you have an ounce of self respect remove yourself from your
position of authority as you have proved you are not fit for purpose.
Kind Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Disgusted at your actions....
Importance: High
Hi I have a diploma that I would like to send back, this is due to your gutless and totally
indefensible position on a bunch of thugs threatening violence/ disobedience to a
persons point of view that they don't agree with.
I was proud of my credentials but you've ensured it no longer has any worth at all.
As Winston Churchill said

"Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in
nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to
convictions of honor and good sense."
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Disgusted citizen
Dear J.B. Thomas
You have been placed in a great office of trust, administering an organisation that has a huge impact on the
minds of young adults.
You are neither elected in a democratic way or appointed by the people who send their children to Massey
University. Yet the impact you have over the young adults of our nation who attend the university appears to be
political.
When speakers deliver a message influenced by a different political persuasion than yourself, it is obvious that
you are leveraging the excuse of security concerns to keep your students influenced more by a particular
political ideal.
Such an attack on free speech is nether acceptable, nor tolerable. The majority whom you are offending will not
sit idly by much longer, and you will press them to rise up. I hope there will be no extreme right among them
who will ruin it for more conservative protestors.
Careful with which buttons you press, because it will not turn out well for your political persuasion. Look what
is happening in the USA. Your political ideology that was being forced on that nation produced a passionate
Donald Trump who is reversing all the left policy.
Balanced views is essential for peace. It's not the extreme left only who threaten violence, it is the extreme right
too. Let's not push it too far one side or the other shall we, it will turn out detrimental to everybody.
♦♣♠♥
♣♥♦♠
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash - Former Leader of the National Party
Dear Vice-Chancellor
It is with concern that I have been made aware of your cancellation of the event
involving Don Brash at your campus.
A university is an area where people can express views that one may not agree with.
I, as a taxpayer, I am concerned that a talk by a well known and respected New
Zealander, at tax-payer funded campus, has been cancelled because of political
opinion.
Our society is the lesser because of this.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc: nz.free.speech.coalition@gmail.com
Subject: Don Brash - reconsider!
Date: 7 August 2018 11:12:26 PM
Prof Thomas
Oh dear what is happening to NZ?
In NZ is a person not able to express concern about his country? Is a person not able to
express an opinion?
Mr Brash does not appear to be a person who would incite violence or spout any sort of
hatred. As far as I can see he wishes everyone to be treated equally. Is that not fair?
There cannot be any legitimate reason for cancelling the engagement. The NZ Police Force
is more than capable of dealing with any breach of the peace whatever the number of
demonstrators.
I saw a demonstration against the Canadian visitors. Clearly the activists hadn't a clue what
they were demonstrating against - just something plucked from social media. I expect the
unruly mob threatening to disrupt Mr Brash's talk are merely objecting to anyone having a
different view to theirs.

From:
To: ; Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash - talking at Auckland University on Thursday evening
Hi
I have just noticed that the attached media piece references the fact Don is scheduled to join a debate at Auckland
Uni – want to make you aware in case
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/don-brash-slams-massey-uni-vice-chancellors-disgraceful-
contradiction-after-talk-cancelled
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash - the news today and you failing to notify police
Prof Thomas
I find it very difficult to believe that you got a specific gun threat and did not report it to the police. Was there a
real threat?
Clearly, from what is being reported, your decision to cancel Don Brash's engagement is at odds with the
wishes of many of your students.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
Kia ora Jan,
I hope this email finds you well. I also hope you aren't receiving too many emails on this
topic today.
I'm a PhD candidate (sociology) up here in Auckland, and I also do some tutoring and
marking here and there. I wear multiple hats at Massey and voice my pride for being part
of this university at every chance I get.
Therefore, when I saw the news regarding your decision on Don Brash this morning I was
very concerned. While I understand it was a tough one for you to make and you have
made the decision you feel is best for Massey, I equally feel the need to share my thoughts
with you.
My PhD is in the area of Human Rights, specifically pertaining to the justice system and, as
you can imagine, this means I am working and studying in spaces where racism, hate
speech and discrimination is rampant. I'm also formally incarcerated and now a participant
in various activist circles. I have run into Don Brash more than once and have seen the
detrimental impact resulting from opinions like his both out here and inside. He is not my
favorite person and I disagree with almost everything that comes out of his mouth, even
back as far as the infamous Orewa speech (I live 5 minutes from Orewa).
However, and now I get to my point, the concern I have with banning Don Brash from
speaking at a Massey event is the conversation now shifts from those we must be having
(racism, disproportionate representations, etc.) to ones about free speech. Similar to the
recent uproar about our Canadian visitors, a conversation about free speech provides
society with an easy out from tackling and discussing the major issues brought to public
attention through comments and opinions like the ones expressed by Don Brash. The more
this man speaks, the more we can shut him down.
Banning specific people from speaking based on popular opinion is a dangerous precedent
to set and I am very concerned that Massey is now going down this road. As a university
(the best one in NZ!), should we not be a space where these conversations can be held,
debated, and challenged? Our beautiful country is rife with rose-tinted histories and we
seem to be fearful of the tough conversations.
Again, I understand this probably wasn't an easy decision for you and I respect that you
have made it. I trust you receive this email in the tone I intend, an expression of opinion
from someone who loves Massey and hopes to still be here when I hit Don's age.
Thanks for reading.
Nga mihi,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
Hello Jan,
I am a student from Victoria University of Wellington. After finding out about the current debacle that Massey
is going through with this event, I am now certain I made the right choice about what university to attend.
What you are doing here is laughable, and reflects the status of Massey University in my eyes. You are setting a
dangerous president here. Does this mean that when a former Labour, or left-aligned speaker were to come to a
university, I could complain and bar them from coming? I don’t think so.
Universities are meant to be places of education, not of political influence and holding a veil over students’
eyes. I think that it is a necessary skill for all university graduates to have to be able to weigh up and evaluate
debates or topics from both perspectives. By barring Mr Brash from your university, you are stunting the
educational growth of your students.
I would like to think that Massey University would be able to come up with some kind of reasonable response
to this, but I highly doubt it, based off what I have seen already.
I wish you all the best with pushing your (or the university’s) political agenda in the future.
Sent from my iPhone

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash and free speech
To Ms Jan Thomas
I am appalled at your decision to ban Don Brash from speaking on your campus.
In doing so you have allowed those who threaten to carry out actions that are against
the law to trump the rights of ordinary New Zealanders as guaranteed in the Bill of
Rights.
My daughter is a graduate of your University. Your action as cheapened the value of

her degree.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash at Massey
Dear Ms. Thomas,
As a retired academic physician, I wish to express my disagreement with

your decision to prevent Dr Don Brash from speaking on the Massey
campus. Whilst I share very few of Brash's political and social views,
he has the right to freedom of speech. Universities, in this day and age
, have a particular responsibility to uphold this right and it is
disappointing to me that this decision has been made. The excuse of
'security' is flimsy, simply a cop-out and the decision is fundamentally
anti-democratic.
Yours sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash backs Judith Collins as National leader
Dear Ms Thomas, I am writing to you to support you for what you did re;Don Brash.I just wanted to tell you
that he came to our place near Pukekawa2016
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From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash ban
As a graduate of Massey University, I wish to register my strong

disapproval and concern at your appalling decision to block Don Brash from
speaking at Massey.
Don Brash is a distinguished New Zealander who has served the country well
and made valid contributions to public discourse. His statements are in no
way "Hate Speech" but deserve discussion and clarification. It is
irrelevant if some people are offended by them: that is no criterion to
suppress the expression of controversial views in a free society.
A university should promote free enquiry and expression of different

points of view and not censor those which run counter to particular
political opinions.
Please reconsider.
Yours sincerely
.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash Ban
Date: 8 August 2018 12:42:20 AM
As an ex proud Massey student I am appalled and embarrassed by your ban on the planned
speech by Don Brash.
I am no fan of Brash, I was largely underwhelmed when I heard him speak many years
ago, but he is hardly radical and your branding of free speech as hate speech in his case is
pathetic, as is the security excuse.
An important role of any university is to debate ideas and it is no place for your personal
political censorship.I understand that Brash's most controversial theme is equal opportunity
for all races which hardly rates as hate speech, and I expect would provide good debate of
ideas between this and the merits of selective positive discrimination.
I have enthusiastically hired many Massey graduates over the last twenty years and have
recommended the University to many students. I fear I can no longer do so after your
terrible decision.
I am very saddened at the damage to Massey's reputation and urge you to rethink your
decision and role, or step aside if your personal politics do not allow you to undertake the
role objectively.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash banning
Date: 8 August 2018 10:35:27 AM
Dear Jan ,
I am not one to normally email anyone about this sort of thing but your actions seem so
incredible that I had to.
Surely you can’t seriously be suggesting that what Don Brash says is in any way approaching
hate speech. He is merely suggesting that we as a society should be DISCUSSING why we have
seats in various councils and in parliament that are secured based on the race of the applicant.
This is a view supported by a large proportion of Kiwis.
You also seem to be saying that you were afraid of violent protests ---I don’t think this is really
a credible threat and if you really thought it was you should have called in the Police . It is part of
their job to prosecute people who make threats.
It is probably too late to change your mind about Don Brash , but please be more considered
before banning other speakers . Your University should be like all Universities --- not afraid to
hear all types of opinion , you should be a forum for ideas .
Best Regards
Windows 10
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash cancellation
As a university graduate and as one who enjoyed the traditional freedoms associated with university life I am
appalled by your cancellation of Dr Brash’s proposed speech attendance.
I think you should be utterly ashamed -you have clearly let your socialist political views dictate your decision.
Yours
Sent from my iPhone

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash cancellation
Dear Vice-Chancellor Thomas,
I am writing to you to express my concern and dismay at the recent decision you made to
prevent Don Brash speaking at Massey University.
Whilst I am not a supporter of some of Don Brash's opinions, especially on matters relating
to Maori, this decision clearly impinges on his right to freedom of speech.
Of all places, a university should be a venue where free and frank exchange of ideas and
views should be encouraged and nurtured. The issue of security, if indeed this was a real
threat, should have been easily managed by security or police. We cannot have a situation
where threats of violence disrupt the exchange of views and opinions that are different to
our own.
I would ask respectfully that you reconsider this decision, apologise, and make a clear
statement supporting the role of the publicly funded Massey university to foster a range of
views and speakers in the future.
This is not the New Zealand I grew up in. Freedom of speech is a fundamental right of all
New Zealanders, regardless of their politics, ethnicity, gender etc. And I repeat, I am not a
Don Brash supporter.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash et al..
Dear Jan Thomas,

I’m writing to express my concern for the lack of support for the freedom of ideas being available
in a forum available to your students and am very saddened with the response from your
university. It appears to me that when there is any noise from either a majority OR minority
threatening violence, your institution is buckling under the guise of “safety”., and I finds that
reprehensible. Safety for who? Certainly not the students who need to be taught to sift through
many points of view. Your role I naively thought was to teach our young people to think.
Obviously not these days. Where does free speech live now? Certainly not in the institutions that
espouse it and are created to encourage it. You have abdicated your responsibility and role. Very
sad.
You’ll note there is no abuse or hate speech in this email.
Please receive it in the spirit it is written.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash Event cancellation from the perspective of an immigrant
Date: 8 August 2018 12:46:43 PM
Hello,
This is in regards to your decision to cancel Don Brash’s speech.
Let me start by stating a couple of facts about myself first:
1. I am a newcomer who’s been in in New Zealand for almost 6 years. I

am originally from the Middle East, specifically Iraq.
2. In this age of “identity politics”, I am “classified” as minority

both in New Zealand and the country I was born in.
One of the many reasons driving the decision to settle down in New
Zealand was the almost built-in tolerance of the people of this
country. I say “almost” because I see this slowly but surely receding
in favour of a trend that dangerously resembles the oppressive
political thought control that I am very well aware of first hand as I
have been subjected to as a child and young adult. The difference back
then was using Nationalism first then Religion, not Political
Correctness to shut others down.
Your decision to ban Don Brash a platform to express his views eerily
resembles decisions made by the previous Iraqi dictator and his thugs
to cancel events that do not align with their interpretation of “how
things ought to be” and “what people should hear”. The difference is
not in the attitude but in scale i.e. those who expressed views that
the regime deemed "offensive" and "dangerous" were sent to jail or
executed. Thankfully we are have not reached that state yet but do
keep in mind that the different Iraqi regimes back in the late 50s
until the mid 60s started by practicing what the “tolerant
gatekeepers” of this country are practicing now.
Claiming a so-called security concern to justify shutting down the

event is a pitiful excuse to say the least. You are effectively
acknowledging caving in to bullies instead of facing those so-called
threats by demonstrating to all that a free society shall not be
intimidated by thugs who threaten with violence. It is them who should
fear our commitment to voice different opinions instead.
I have no interest in Don Brash’s speech nor was I planning on

attending. I do not agree with a lot of his ideas but denying him the
platform where his arguments can be refuted means I could one day be
denied the same platform to voice my own concerns once a “gatekeeper”
deems them offensive to whoever fits the victimised group profile of
the day.
Don Brash has every right you and I and every other New Zealander has
and that is the right to express his or her opinion. Your decision
will not be able to stop them from voicing his views, certainly not in
this day and age. Instead, you have clearly demonstrated the inability
to counter-argue and legitimised his ideas.
As a person from a religious and ethnic minority living in this great

country; I neither want nor need you or others who “think” they are
doing “the right thing” by protecting “us victimised and marginalised”
groups. We are fully capable of voicing our concerns provided that we
have the platforms to do so; yet by denying others those same
platforms, I wonder when will you and other “self-proclaimed
custodians” deny us this right claiming “security” or other concerns.
Lastly, it is worth mentioning that I and few other immigrants from

the Middle East have actually supported the Free Speech Coalition
financially, not because we believe the rhetoric is necessarily true
but because defending the right to speak ones mind is defending ours
as well.
Regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash -free speech
Dear Jan
It is incredibly disappointing that you have cancelled Don Brash’s talk to Massey University.
I do not support you in this decision. New Zealanders deserve better than this, as do current and past students.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: DON BRASH FURORE
Good morning Vice-Chancellor.
I am writing this in connection with Massey University's rejection of the

address by Don Brash, scheduled for today.
Last weekend a few Auckland "agitators", were able to send a disgraceful

message to the World, smearing our country's reputation for responsibility
by claiming our intolerance toward Free Speech.
By yesterday's developments, you have been able to, single-handedly,

endorse what, by now, could falsely be our perceived repugnance for Free Expression.
You do not speak for me.
Yours truly
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash on RNZ
Kia ora Jan
I teach in Tū Tira Mai, the third year BA coūrse in which we grappled with the Don Brash
issūe and stūdent debate last year.
The key issūe is really context - can stūdents manage the safety and potential protests?
The politics clūb woūld have been better to condūct the meeting with Brash online or in a
lectūre hall with secūrity staff. Now dūe to the media attention it woūld probably be
necessary to be seen to have a balanced debate, with Maori leaders in the room.
I fūlly sūpport ūs being Tiriti-led, and have co-facilitated workshops on this with staff here
and in a previoūs tertiary institūtion in which I worked. However, I do not agree that Brash
shoūld be banned from Massey fūll-stop, as we shoūld be able to have political debate.
Brash is not as extreme as the Canadian dūo. His argūment represents a very conservative,
and he argūes that Maori do not have special statūs within a mūlticūltūral and Pakeha-
dominated (rather than bicūltūral) society, būt it is not hate speech.
Nga mihi, na
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash Politics Club Talk
Date: 7 August 2018 11:10:48 PM
Dear Ms Thomas,
It is with disappointment I write to you about the decision to cave into threats of violence
made by persons not in agreeance with the views of Don Brash, former Governor of the
New Zealand Reserve Bank and National Party Leader.
It is unfortunate that an academic institute such as Massey elects not to uphold the rule of
law but decides instead to be ruled by mob threats of intimidation.
I cannot say that I agree with everything Dr Brash says, but I will defend his right to say it.
The actions of Massey University can only be described as cowardly and not in the
tradition of intellectual endeavour where all points of view are considered and examined.
I am reminded at times such as these of the poem by Martin Niemoller the Protestant
Pastor who opposed the Nazis and was imprisoned for the last seven years of the regime
because of his outspokenness
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
I think you must reconsider and reinstitute the event Ms Thomas for to capitulate to
threats of extremism seems ill considered.
Furthermore Dr Brash's support of the Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux event was
alongside of persons such as Dr Michael Bassett and Chris Trotter.
Has the university any plans to rebuke or ban them in future?
I suggest you take courage Ms Thomas in your decision making around events such as
these, otherwise you become a conformist to tyranny of a minority.
Many thanks for your consideration.

Best regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash Speaking Event
Dear Jan,
I'm writing to express my great disappointment in your decision to disallow Don Brash to
speak at Massey University tomorrow.
As both a graduate and prospective student of Massey, I am ashamed that you seem to
have caved in to a small group that would aim to quash free speech. The university must be
a place where all ideas are heard and debated and where any violence towards the free
expression of ideas must not be tolerated.
As I explore further study for 2018 I will have no hesitance in looking to alternative
institutions.
Sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash Speaking
RE: Cancellation of Don Brash’s Talk
I have to say I was quite shocked to hear that a University in New Zealand has chosen to go against what I
thought New Zealand was built on - free speech and democracy.
To say what Mr Brash was going to talk about goes against the Treaty is quite frankly a sad indictment on you
and our country as a whole of late.
Surely New Zealand Universities are all about different opinion and arguments? This is what we want our
young citizens to grow up with. Listening to different opinions and either disagreeing OR learning something
new.
I have read enough of our history books to know that what is published and pushed in the media at the moment
is in a lot of cases a fabrication of facts.
How sad you are perpetuating a narrow and skewed view of our society.
I would love to know your reasoning behind this decision. I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash Speech
I was shocked to hear the upcoming event with Dr Don Brash had been cancelled - at the
11th hour.
This is extremely harmful to free speech in NZ. It's shameful to think that other New
Zealanders would shut someone down for their opinions, especially a former leader of a
major political party.
Peaceful protests are of course fine, but if students are creating security concerns on
campus, they should be disciplined for that. Certainly speech or events should not be shut
down. This simply encourages delinquent behaviour.
Please reconsider the cancelling of this event.
Kind Regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash speech
When I was a student at Massey we were encouraged to debate all sides of an argument.
We were taught HOW to think not WHAT to think. I am embarrassed to be linked with this
university now.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash talk
I am writing to express my deep concern about the cancelling, because of theats of violence, of the talk that was
going to be given by Don Brash. It seems that some people don't believe they have a good enough argument to
win a debate using words, so they threaten violence instead, and they are rewarded for their acts of criminality
by getting events shut down. This is a sickening and scary development in New Zealand.
It is imperative that free speech is defended in this country. The freedom we once had in this country, to be able
to exchange ideas in a verbal forum without violence, has gone and we are descending into anarchy. The
university should have taken a stand against the thugs, provided security so this event was able to go ahead, and
anyone threatening violence should have been reported to the police. A university used to be a place where
ideas of all kinds were debated, now it is just an echo chamber for a particular flavour of group think which is a
very dangerous development.
Sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash Visit
Hi Jan,
I have some empathy for you having been put into a position where it was even questioned
that Don Brash would be allowed to speak.
Can you outline what the pressures were so I can understand why this decision was made?
As far as I can tell it is a loud minority that seem to complain the loudest. Would you
agree? The silent majority Have no issue with Brash.
No left leaning speaker would ever be silenced, and/or for that matter protested against.
Would you agree?
I look forward to a response but believe this was an appalling decision.
Thanks
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: Don Brash
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/don-brash-the-leader-of-the-opposition-is-
the-toughest-job/
Dear Ms Thomas,
I applaud you for putting security first and not allowing Don Brash to
have a platform.
He is working for Judith Collins and they have perverted the course of
justice.
These people are constantly causing diversions away from the real
truth...Judith Collins has ignored a sworn affidavit with new
information regarding the Crewe murders..while she was Police
minister! She has the backing of Fletchers and
Don Brash
is doing the dirty work for Judith Collins!
I hope you don't think I am some sort of crazy individual...I can

assure you I am not.
A gun (rifle) which could potentially have killed
the Crewes was taken out of the district by the Chittys' farm workers
(at their instruction) is an absolute disgrace! The Chittys live in
Judith Collins' electorate and they are covering up for murderers!
r has instructed a Crown witness to lie...what part of all
this is good for NZ and Don Brash is a party to it all!
I am going to copy Mark Sainsbury off Radiolive this morning because

the topic is about Brash.
Kind regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
Silly woman. You have set an appalling precedent. Resign. Go. You are a waste of
space.
.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
Your decision to ban Mr Brash is contrary to the Massey University Charter and the
Education Amendment Act 1990.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
To the Vice Chancellor

I am very disappointed that Massey University cancelled a speech by Dr Don Brash. I do not
agree with his political opinions but I have never heard him engage in “hate speech.” He surely
has the right to express his views and any rebuttal should be provided through vigorous
discussion and disagreement. Particularly in a university, everyone should have the right to
express their ideas and cancelling his talk in this way has denied him the freedom of speech
which is rightfully his.
Yours sincerely
(Massey graduate)
From:
To: Thomas, Jan;
Subject: Don Brash

Attachments: MUSA%2FDon Brash Response.pdf
Kia ora korua Jan and
I hope all is going well for you both. I am sure you are both aware of our statement
released yesterday (attached FYI).
Could I please either meet briefly or phone Jan at some point today? MUSA is running
events from 12-1pm, 5-6pm, and I am with the Army from 6-8pm. Otherwise, I would
appreciate the opportunity for a brief korero when possible.
MUSA fully stands by our statements, however we do not for one minute support racism,
threats of violence, and abuse or personal attacks. It has been incredibly disappointing to
see the responses of many which are completely opposed to the kaupapa of MUSA and our
students. Unfortunately this issue and controversy gives these voices oxygen.
We hope you are doing well, no-one should have to tolerate personal abuse or attacks.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
Dear Jan Thomas,
I am writing to express my alarm at your suppression of Don Brash.
You were extremely vague and evasive when asked about specifics of the claimed threat
while interviewed on The Project tonight, leading me to conclude that you were hiding
your real reason for cancelling Dr Brash's speech.
It is clear that, to you, speech is "free speech" when you agree with it, and "hate speech"
when you disagree with it.
Your unilateral decision was offensive to all open-minded New Zealanders damaging to
the reputations of the University and New Zealand. It sets a dangerous precedent for future
discourse in this country.
Your only honourable choice left is to resign.
Yours faithfully,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
Hi,
Very disappointed to hear that your university no longer supports free speech and has
caved in to radical left.
On two years I won't be able to recommend that my daughter attends such a pathetic
university.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
Hi
I am a graduate from 1994, I have neither supported Don Brash nor voted for him, but I would like to
express my significant disappointment in your decision to ban him. I attended many political speeches
during my 4 yours at Massey, many of which were not political mainstream,
I expect to see better from Massey
BApplSc
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
At a meeting of a group of older women, all 1970’s Masters graduates of Auckland University, I agreed to write
to you expressing our shock and dismay at your precipitate decision to forbid Don Brash speaking rights at a
meeting of your Politics Club.
We understood that a university is the very place where students may learn to distinguish between ideas backed
by cogent and intelligent argument and ideas that cannot be sensibly defended. As a recipient of a scientific
rather than a liberal arts education we believe you are more interested in political correctness than in
understanding the role of a university in teaching students the great importance of being able to hear both sides
of an argument and to form their own opinions underpinned with knowledge of the subject.
Dr Brash, who is a man whose mind we all respect, was due to speak on his experience as the leader of the
National party. He was not apparently planning to peddle a political point of view.
We abhor your decision, made without consulting the students, and feel you are mistaken in it. You have
diminished the rôle of Vice Chancellor. Unfortunately, when a university forbids the past leader of a New
Zealand political party to speak, the reputation of the university is compromised.
Yours sincerely,
Sent from my iPhone

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
A real shame when a quietly spoken intellectual of national standing couldn’t speak at a centre of learning!
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
Jan Thomas,
I would like to voice my concern in regards to your cancellation of Don

Brash's speaking arrangements. While I can understand your concerns
about security I can't understand your subsequent actions. Empowering
violent individuals will only lead to greater problems and restrictions
in the future, this is just a temporary band-aid.
A university should stand for free speech and endorse intellectual

debate otherwise neither will be present in the future.
Please respond with a well reasoned response.
Regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
Hi
I am a retired citizen of considered views. I am not aligned to any organisation.
I find your decision to ban Don Brash from speaking at Massey outrageous.
You are denying free speech
You are setting a precedent in rewarding bullying and threatening behaviour. Where is that going
to end up do you think?
I hope you withdraw your decision and apologise to Dr brash, your academic colleagues and
students, and to the people of NZ
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
Dear Ms Thomas,
I was very concerned to hear that Don Brash cannot speak at Massey University. It seems
to me that free speech and the exposure to different ideas for students is integral to the
functioning of a university.
I would respectfully ask that you review this decision and reconsider allowing Mr Brash to
speak. His viewpoint would allow Massey students to engage with different ideas and then
form their own conclusions. Something which I believe is integral to receiving a liberal
education.
Sincerely,
Bachelor of Social Work

Massey University 1985
From:
Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
Hi Jan
As a Massey alumnus I am disappointed to hear that you have pulled the event where Don
Brash was scheduled to speak.
I am sure this isn't an excersise in censorship and rather a reaction, as you have indicated,
to a threat of violence against innocent people.
Please keep me updated on the investigation into the person responsible for the threats. If it
turns out they are a student I expect you will expel them immediately. I'm sure you agree
nothing is more important than the peaceful exchange of ideas and we need to bring the
people who threaten this to justice.
To let me know you have read my email please reply with the subject heading DBrash.
I really appreciate you taking the time to sort this out and will look forward to hearing
when you have rescheduled the event.
Regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
Hi Jan
Your calling off Don Brash’s talk at Massey University I find very troubling. That this should happen in one of
our universities is beyond my comprehension.
If noisy violent people are able to shut down speakers they disagree with then we are headed in a very
dangerous direction. If Don Brash’s view are to be disagreed with then that should take place in a free
discussion, and people can make up their own minds without be led by arrogant threats of violence. I hope you
have notified the Police of these threats so they can pursue whoever is responsible.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
Dear Ms Thomas
I am appalled at your decision to not allow Don Brash to speak to your student body.
NZ has always been a country of many varied views. Both sides of the debate need to be
listened to, analysed and discussed in detail . To run a University where the next
generation of Kiwis are only allowed to hear one view is very concerning.
As Vice Chancellor you should immediately resign and apologise to your students.
Even the Prime Minister has said that you have over reacted.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
Attachments: Reward_Email.png
Hi Jan,
As an Alumni of Massey University (Class of ’93) and also as a former colleague and a
current friend of Dr Don Brash, I wish to express to you my dismay about your decision to
prevent him from speaking at Massey University.
Personally, I don’t always agree with what Don says - actually more often than not I
disagree - but he is an elder statesman in this country and regardless of his political views,
I think he should be treated with dignity and respect and it concerns me that Massey
University has not done this. Would Massey University ban Helen Clarke from speaking?
For many people at Massey, especially those of a farming background, Helen Clarke’s
views are quite opposed to their own. I doubt it and quite rightly so.
As a friend of Massey University, I urge you to please reconsider.
Kind Regards,
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this letter/email is given in good faith and has been
derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, neither Redward Associates
Limited nor any of its employees, directors or shareholders, gives any warranty of reliability or
accuracy and shall not be liable (whether in contract, tort (including negligence), equity or any other
basis) for errors or omissions herein, or any loss or damage sustained by any person relying on such
information, whatever the cause of such loss or damage.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
I wonder if our PM was invited to speak at Massey and a right wing person
made a unpleasant threat if you would have cancelled the speech. I think
not Jan- just another liberal left wing plonker.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
good afternoon Jan,
how disgraceful that you have allowed threats of violence by socialist thugs as an excuse
to cancel the event.
what sort of message does it send when you cave in to what is essentially temper tantrums?
have you reported these threats to the Police?
it is clear that you have no interest in free speech and are quite happy to have used these
threats as a way to justify implementing your own agenda.
you are a disgrace and should resign immediately, although I imagine it would be difficult
for you to remove your snout from the trough.
regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash

I consider your cancellation of Don Brash's upcoming speech on your
campus to be an absolute travesty. You are clearly not well informed
and are not doubt a supporter of the ALT-LEFT. Your insinuation Brash
is a supporter of Southern and Molyneux is wide of the mark as well. I
too financially supported their right to speak freely in New Zealand but
it doesn't mean I agree with everything they say.
You are doing a considerable amount of damage to the University

system and Massey in particular. Universities are supposed to foster
and encourage radical ideas and free speech, not choke it. Free speech
is free speech - no ifs or buts ...
--
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash,
Get some courage, apologise to Don, reverse your decision which is ill founded, there is
still time to save face.
regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash
Jan Thomas
Hi.
I am a 63 year old businessman from Nelson with wide interests and employing hundreds of people
I am expressing my utter dismay at your decision to cancel Don Brash’s talk at the University
Siting safety concerns is absolute rubbish. More likely your personal view that some of his views are
objectionable.
I haven’t got words to express how outrageous your decision is other than extremely misguided and unfortunate
and in many peoples minds , incompetent
Don Brash is speaking as a past party leader not as a Hobson’s Choice leader. Even if he was speaking to his
views they are not particularly outrageous. Certainly not hate speech Indeed clearly his views are shared by a
large portion of NZers - his Orewa speech took him to within 1% of being NZ Prime Minister
It is deeply concerning that an institution such as one of our major Universities is being governed by such
blinkered narrow mindedness
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: don brash
Date: 7 August 2018 11:29:36 PM
Your decision diminishes your office.
You should go
Sent from my iPhone

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash"s appearance
Dear Professor,
I am scared! Yes, scared. Simply because I see, in the gathering resistance against
anyone the Left fear will put out information which might affect their growing power, such
a repetition of the situation in Hitler's Germany in the thirties. Will they insist on book
burning too?
I do hope that you, as an educated person, will resist any efforts to stop Don Brash
speaking. We simply cannot let the Thugs win.
I write as an 87 year old, who has experienced in Europe, what totalitarianism can cause.
I remember that all Don Brash asked for some years ago, was equality!
How can that possibly be wrong?
Sincerely,
.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Don Brash"s visit
Shame that Massey University is now seen as not upholding the right to free speech.
Also not fronting up with the reason. Police were consulted?
Good Auckland Uni takes a more sane view

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: don
Date: 7 August 2018 10:16:56 PM
do what ever you want. who cares
--
WARNING This email may contain information which is CONFIDENTIAL and may be
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otherwise.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Dr Brash
Dear Jan,
I am extremely concerned over your actions to cancel Dr Don Brash from speaking on campus. Dr
Brash was leader of the largest political party in New Zealand and your action is insulting to
democracy and a step backwards for our country. What is most concerning is that you did not inform
the police of a potential threat. It is the Police's job in this country to protect citizens from threats and
their job to assess any potential threats. Rather than reporting this possible threat, you took it upon
yourself to cancel the event.
Your action is part of a concerning growing trend in universities in the west that goes against
everything a university should stand for - the free expression of ideas and opinions. I heard your
interview on Radio Live and I understand exactly what your views are about any speaker who does
not profess a leftist agenda.
Universities must realise that the only society that is worth living in is a society where all ideas and
opinions can be voiced.
It seems as though you think you have the right to censor any views from reaching the ears of
students at Massey University. You do not have this right.
This incident was badly handled and I want to express my disappointment in the strongest possible
terms as I am worried that if a speaker of Dr Brash's standing is treated in this way, then I am
mourning for free speech in Aotearoa.
"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" Carl Sagan

"Most people would rather die than think. And most people do." Bertrand Russell
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Dr Brash
Date: 8 August 2018 11:16:32 AM
Attn Vice Chancellor Thomas -
To minimise your damage to NZ, please consider;
1. Retract your decision to bar Dr Brash from speaking.

2. Publicly apologise to Dr Brash.
3. Resign.
I doubt your damage to Massey or yourself can be limited without 3. above.
Without Regards
ex Massey student
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Dr Brash
Go join Mayor Goff, Wanganui High Admin. and every other left wing libtard
In the SHAME ON YOU, SHAME ON YOU, SHAME ON YOU, Chair.
I have never felt so at a loss to hear and see what is begining tohappen in this country I love so much. 25% of
the people threaten with disruption - 75% of us are irrelevant.
Sent from my iPad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Dr Brash
Dear Madam,
I find your action to bar Dr Brash from speaking unacceptable.
Your actions have brought Massey University into reproach.
To restore public confidence in and the mana of Massey University you should:
Retract your decision to bar Dr Brash from speaking
Publicly apologise to Dr Brash
Resign
Sent from my iPad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Dr Brash"s speech
I am deeply disappointed by your actions with respect to Dr Brash's speaking event on

your campus.
Sincerely,
The University of Adelaide

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Dr Don Brash
Attachments: image001.png
Vice-Chancellor Massey 070818.pdf
Professor Thomas
Please find attached a letter to you regarding your decision today banning Dr Don Brash from speaking at
Massey University’s Palmerston North campus.
This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not
disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-
mail from your system.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Dear VC,
I heard you speak on the Larry Williams show, to say I was angry is an understatement.
I lost count of the times you said ‘em’ not a good sign from an Academic especially a so called VC.
I truly hope you are dismissed from your position or better still RESIGN, save the University money.
Yours sincerely,
Sent from my iPhone

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Dear Doctor Thomas,
I was saddened to hear your decision to ban Doctor Brash from addressing your students.
I always believed that our Universities where the platform of free speech and places for the formulation
of ideas that over time have influenced the direction, and way our society has evolved.
Your reasoning was a Security issue that you claimed you had discussed with Police. This was denied by
Police, which means you lied on National Television to Doctor Brash , your students and the people of
New Zealand.
One can therefore only surmise that you banning Doctor Brash from the debate is because you don’t
believe what he stands for and do not wish this eminent New Zealander to share and debate his
philosophies with your students.
Like most New Zealanders I abhor “ Hate Speech” and whilst I do not agree with Doctor Brash on many
issues, he is miles away from what most would remotely consider “Hate Speech”. For the record Doctor
Brash is not a supporter of The Southern/ Molyneux pair. He is a supporter of their right to speak in NZ.
If as you say, “your staff, particularly Maori staff” are “ concerned” about some of Doctor Brash’s
views, would his presence on Campus not have been a great opportunity for them to discuss and
debate these issues? Perhaps you where concerned they do not have the mental ability or agility to
debate with Doctor Brash?
Hopefully you have now had time to reflect on your decision and are ashamed of your performance. At
the very least you own Doctor Brash an apology.
A very sad day for Democracy and Massey University.
Regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: DR DON BRASH
Dear Vice Chancellor,
My compulsory income tax ( and other taxes) have built your assets at Massey and pay
your salaries.
Free Speech is very dear to me and all of us thinking New Zealanders.
You have forgotten 30,000 precious New Zealand lives were lost in WW1 and WW2 to
protect our freedom.
You are completely wrong to ban anyone to speak on your campus.
I will copy this to The Massey University Council.
Yours sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Embarrassed to be an Alumni
Date: 7 August 2018 10:58:10 PM
Hi Jan
Today, it became embarrassing to write my education (Bachelor of Aviation, Massey

University) on my C.V.
It is clear to me that you must resign in order to restore any lingering ounce of integrity
this university still has left.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Erosion of New Zealand Values
Professor Thomas,
The motivation behind the following email is in response to your dis-inviting of Dr

Don Brash from speaking on site at the University you run.
Actions such as these devalues the credibility of your achievements as an academic

and of the institution you run. For someone who's profession it is to come up with
new research that challenges the status quo and change people and an entire
industry's world view, I cannot understand why you are denying students of your
university the chance to witness an alternative world view, stand up for their world
view, or perhaps amend their own?
Just exactly what are you afraid of about letting Dr Brash's world view be heard on
campus? Is it that your world view may be proven false, or perhaps you justify your
actions by believing that Dr Brash's presence on campus will lead to "security
issues" and may lead to people getting hurt, emotionally, physically, or otherwise.
Your actions, should they continue or fail to be redressed, will significantly lower
the threshold and set a new precedent of what will be deemed "hate speech".
Political differences are not hate speech, unless those differences explicitly call for
audience to engage in active and premeditated violence, something I do not think
Dr Brash has done or will be doing any time soon.
Far from protecting freedom of speech, your actions erode freedom of speech in
New Zealand and affect ordinary New Zealanders that you have never come across,
such as myself. Your actions strike at the heart of democracy, and is one typically
expected of those engaged in the ongoing culture war happening across the United
States, and not in New Zealand. You have stained New Zealand's reputation as a
free and fair country and one day your actions may bite you and me when we want
to air our political differences and find ourselves gagged for want of not inciting
what an egregious, unwarranted, self-appointed arbiter of speech deems "hate
speech".
I am no fan of Dr Brash's view, but your actions is yet another example of the so-
called "Barbara Streisand Effect", where in the effort to censor something, it
inadvertently draws a larger crowd instead. People across the country, including
the 900,000 people who voted for National when he was its leader will be
energised to respond to your actions. In dis-inviting Dr Brash, you have given him
ammunition through a wider audience. You may have broadened his support base,
as I am sure the additional spotlight has piqued the interest of those who
previously ignorant of Dr Brash, but may be sympathetic to his world view.
The way forward now, Professor Thomas, is to rescind your dis-invitation. You
should not tar New Zealand's reputation as tolerant, fair and free society, and you
should not tar the academic credibility of the university you are in charged of.
Ask yourself this, Professor Thomas - will you be on the right side of history?
On this issue of banning so-called "hate speech" on campus, I hope you are not -
for the sake of all New Zealanders wishing to express freely and peacefully their
views.
Best regards,
A concerned member of the public,

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: Ex Student and Graduate.
Date: 7 August 2018 11:06:26 PM
Hello Vice-Chancellor,
I studied at Massey Uni from 1989 through to 1992, graduating with 1st class honours as a
Master of Business Studies. I have fond memories of Massey which, until this week at
least, have never been soured.
Media reports concerning your decision to ban Dr Don Brash from speaking on campus
beg the following questions - please answer them all so that I can convey to others in the
Alumni what you assure me to be the truth in this matter:
1. To what extent did your political support of Maori Wards play a factor in your decision
to deny staff and students their right to hear Dr Brash's opposing political view?
2. It's been reported that you've alleged 'hate speech' to be of primary concern. Please
disclose the definition of 'hate' that you applied, along with any supporting evidence of Dr
Brash being guilty in this regard.
3. Is it true that some thugs threatened violence at the planned speech? If so, what evidence
do you have of this, and was it ever passed onto local Police who are duty-bound to
identify and reprimand any person threatening harm to staff and/or students?
4. Did you at any time before announcing your decision contact local Police to report
and/or discuss your concerns? If so, precisely when? If not, why not?
Unfortunately, whether you realise it or not Ms Thomas, the message that you have given
Massey students is that free speech is fine so long as it conforms to the political views held
dearly by those in authority...which in fact 'free speech' requires that people are afforded
the freedom to hear ideas similar to, different to, and very different to, their own.
That is something that by your actions it would appear you've denied people under your
authority and care...but I shall await your response to my questions, suspending judgment
until you've had a chance to reply - sometime this week if at all possible.
Thanking you (in advance),

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Faith in the future generation.
Jan Thomas,
As vice chancellor you are tasked with operating a learning institution in a way that
ensures financial viability and academic success so that Massey may fulfill its civic
responsibilities of equipping young people to contribute positively to society.
The ability to speak freely is fundamental in bringing about change within our society.
It’s not your role to decide who should / shouldn’t speak on campus - If it’s a
genuine security issue the police will intervene and those who push the limits or break the
law will face the consequences.
If you do not have faith in your students to uphold common courtesy by allowing others
the right to express themselves freely, then how do you trust them to contribute positively
towards society ?
If the answer is you can’t trust them your students then I’d suggest you’ve failed and
should resign.
Sent from ProtonMail Mobile

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: Fascism
Dear Ms Thomas,
It is very rarely indeed that I am moved to make a political protest. I am a 70 year old NZ’er with
a post graduate degree in politics and history -mercifully not gained recently from Massey
University if intellectual enquiry there is valued as lowly as you seem to exemplify by your
decision to ban Dr Don Brash from speaking on your campus.
I note the almost universal brickbats coming in your direction, even from the usual suspects on
the left, who are usually keen to ban anything that doesn’t concur with their worldview.
Nevertheless, I still feel encumbered to add my voice to the clamour for you to rescind your
decision. It may have been taken in haste, given your obvious distaste for Don Brash’s politics,
but surely, in retrospect, as an intelligent woman, you can now see it is wrong. We cannot have
the thug’s or heckler’s veto prevail in airing our public debates. I urge you to reconsider and
would be most pleased to read of your change of heart tomorrow.
Otherwise, failing that, I think it would be most expedient of you to resign your position. You
would have proved you don’t have the judgement or wisdom to occupy the position of Vice
Chancellor of Massey University. Continuing to remain in your post will only attract derision and
contempt.
Your sincerely,
Director.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Feedback
Greetings Jan
I have been following the free speech discussion over the past few weeks ... and have contributed financially to
assist the alternate view to be heard and defended ..
As a leader of a university I’d have thought you would be motivated to encourage and sustain open discussion
and debate as an essential characteristic of a free and open society ...
Cleary not so ...
Two observations which are apparent to me..
1. You have pre judged Don Brash’s content .. in effect appointed yourself as a censor ...
2. You have cowered in the face of the threats from a vocal minority ....
A couple of further points ...
1. Firstly, your salary and all of your colleagues, is funded by ALL tax payers
2. Secondly, the Massey University facility is funded by ALL tax payers ..

It’s a publicly owned asset ..
To close
1. Balance and debate is important ... or used to be ... similarly ... leadership requires courage ... I’m seeing an
absence of it in your decision making in this Jan ..
2. ‘Group Think’ and cowardice as evident in your decision and recently Auckland Council / Power Station,
invite more bullying from the vocal few ...
Is that what we want for New Zealand ?
Best wishes
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Free Speach
Why do you consider that views that do not coincide with yours must
inevitably be wrong?
Why do you consider that students at Massey are so stupid that they need a
censor, to validate what they hear?
There is no way in the world I would attend or recommend others attend

such a closed-minded institution that allows only speech and opinion that
has been filtered by big-brother before being deemed suitable.
This is outrageous behaviour that parallels the restrictions imposed by

the former Soviet regime.
Professor, I suggest that in a position of influence such as you are, you

have become a serious danger to the education of students of Massey.
Yours Faithfully
Rotorua
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Free speech - Dr Don Brash
Dear Ms Thomas,
Thank you for your decision today which is breathtaking in its lack of thought and from a
university academic no less!
Many New Zealanders, including myself, do not like what Dr Brash says and would agree it
is the politics of division and frankly he is likely yesterday’s man. He is, however, entitled to
speak – like you or me. If no one listens so be it.
Perhaps you need reminding that free speech nurtures two essential aspects of a liberal
democracy: those of moral pluralism and tolerance. These two aspects in turn protect the
important normative and conceptually fundamental value of individual autonomy. In
other words, Ms Thomas, we – the people – can decide what we want to say and listen to.
We don’t need a university academic with qualifications completely irrelevant to the
matter at hand to decide for us. Or is it now the case that Massey University knows better
that me what I should think?
Just in case you have forgotten the basics of democracy, and it appears you have, speech is
the means by which we convey information, ideas, propositions and hypotheses which can
be tested against the speech of others. Ms Thomas, you quite outrageously, have taken
away the ability for people to test Dr Brash and more gallingly in an institution that calls
itself a university, where ideas and hypotheses should be tested as a matter of routine.
You are patronising your students and fellow academics and must be unconfident in their
ability to provide robust debate and test any controversial views Dr Brash may espouse.
Funnily enough, Ms Thomas, you have given Dr Brash way more air than he would have
received had he been able to speak freely.
Please reconsider your fundamentally flawed decision and reinstate Dr Brash’s invitation to
speak.
Yours faithfully,
University of Auckland
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Free speech and your ban on Don Brash
Date: 8 August 2018 12:08:51 PM
For your information in case you have missed it.
https://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2018/08/stephen-franks-on-massey-universitys-law-
breaking/
Regards

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Free speech at Massey
Date: 8 August 2018 11:20:59 AM

I’ve been waiting for an explanatory email from you to all Massey staff and students all morning
so far. Nothing! I am shocked and saddened.
Chris Kelly, a previous Chancellor of this university (and a highly successful vet), was forced to
resign, despite apologising, for making an off-the-cuff comment about female veterinarians. The
femi-nazis made sure he was a goner.
Your stance on free speech at Massey and the hullabaloo that has resulted has been disgraceful.
I’d never heard of the two Canadians before you mentioned “hate speech” in one of your e-logs
a few weeks ago. You and Phil Goff have shot yourselves in the foot and given the Canadians the
very best publicity and credibility they could ever have dreamt of. You need to apologise to Don
Brash, the National Party and a large number of disgusted New Zealanders who are tired of this
Left wing intolerance. Your comments and arrogance are to be deplored. On TV3 last night you
said there was a threat of guns being brought onto campus. GUNS!! What evidence do you
have? Have you reported that to the police? In my opinion, you need to do the honourable thing
and resign as VC of Massey University immediately. Otherwise, if you don’t, it will show that
sexism is also alive and well at this University.
Yours sincerely
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Free Speech at Massey
Hello, I'm a former Massey student and I'm deeply concerned by the barring of Don Brash.
Massey University is currently an institution that is looked up to as a place of education,
but how can we be educated if we allow speakers to be banned because of someone who
disagrees?
During my time at Massey, I encountered some abuses of power by lecturers, including
one lecturer trying to force us to perform a protest against the current government as part
of the curriculum. She even stated they had performed this protest in previous years,
graded of course. Luckily someone else had a more interesting idea that she liked, or I
would have had to protest a government I voted for. She would often complain about
people who thought differently to her, and encouraged us to drink alcohol for inspiration.
Why should someone like that be allowed to be hired by a university, but Don Brash can't
even come to speak to people who want to hear him?
Please reconsider. For free speech, for human rights, for education. Someone has to stand
up.
BA in English and Japanese, Massey Palmerston North

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Free Speech Debate
Dear Ms Thomas,
I’m writing to let you know that your decision to cancel Don Brash as a speaker at a NZ
University is a very weak spirited one.
Freedom of Expression is the most important way to offer counterpoint to ideas one
doesn’t like. The mark of a developed mind is to be able to entertain a different idea
whilst bracketing one’s own, for the purpose of diverse discussion.
It’s a shame you have shown yourself not to be in possession of one.
Shame on you for upholding such an authoritarian stance that is more in keeping with the
anti free speech traditions of Stalin and Mao rather than Western liberalism.
Disgraceful!
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Free speech stiffled
With respect I am appalled at your decision to prevent Dr Brash from his speaking engagement at your
university.
NO excuse is acceptable.
You should be ashamed of your decision.

From:
To: don.brash
Cc:
Subject: Free Speech

Don Brash,
I can not believe how many times your name has been in the headlines
lately which indicates to me you are attention seeking.
Remember your visit to our place early 2016?

Shame on you Don Brash is all I can say...'free speech' seems like it
is only ok for the likes of you?
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Free speech
Congratulations for outing yourself as a supporter of anti free speech , and also I will do
what ever it takes to make sure my 4 kids never step foot on your shitty campus .
Kind regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Date: 8 August 2018 12:12:20 PM
We were appalled and shocked that you did not allow Dr. Brash to speak at your
University. Who has the hate factor? I would suggest it is you. I am a pakeha but my
husband is Maori and we both would like all of us to be equal to the Maori who have a lot
of privileges denied to us ordinary New Zealanders. My husband and I are long ago retired,
he was a veterinarian, and he is very involved with the Hobson’s Pledge group who want
us all to be equal New Zealanders and there is certainly no hate with that group as you
suggested. Maori do not pay business taxes or TV taxes, is that equal? They have all the
opportunities we all have so why do they need special wards for just Maoris? I heard Ron
Mark say he doesn’t think they should as he has got where he is without any special
conditions. A couple of nights or so again we heard a Maori female MP from the Green
Party speak and we were appalled at her racial views which are apparently OK for a Maori
to say. We have several good Maori friends who feel the same way as we do and I know
many many non Maori who think the same but are too scared to say anything because it
would be considered racial. It is not racial though coming from them or some of them. You
probably know that a few years ago in Wairoa, a predominantly Maori area, a poll was
taken and 80+% wanted things to stay the way they are as they didn’t feel they weren’t
equal and neither do we.
With people like you stopping free speech it is no wonder most of our friends are too
scared to speak but I am not. The reason is my husband is Maori and can say as he likes,
and does, without being thought racial. People like you are encouraging this view.
Thank you for “listening”.
Kind regards,
.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
As a Graduate of Massey who also sent my children there I am enraged by your actions to suppress free speech
because a few Maori staff threatened disruption of Dr Brashes speech. I will do everything in my power to see
you forced to resign for the abuse of power and freedom that you have shown. While at Massey I went and
listened to Rob Muldoon and found his veiws confronting but as afree democracy rather than a facist or
communist state we are all free to be heard. Maori are New zealanders like all the rest of us and under the
Treaty they can be arrested and jailed for breaking the law as of course can Don Brash.
I will never give up on your case AKE AKE AKE

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Dear Jan
As a graduate of Massey University, I am disappointed and angry with your decision to deny a
platform to a speaker (Don Brash) on spurious grounds.
Disappointed because Massey University should be better than this. Higher education should be
about the debate of ideas, regardless of how comfortable we are about them.
Angry because you have taken it upon yourself to try to shape what New Zealanders should be
able to think or say. Presumably you think you know best. In your role you shouldn’t, and you
don’t.
And I’m not buying your story about keeping the peace. It might be convenient to cower to the
shouty mob, but the Police have shown that the emperor has no clothes.
My alumni membership of thirty-nine years standing will be terminated today.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Date: 8 August 2018 10:41:21 AM
Hello Ms. Thomas,
I am so disappointed by the growing intolerance of the left to opposing

views, and its growing disregard for the principle of free speech. In
the past, the left has been the best defender of free speech, typified
by the Berkeley free speech movement. How did this happen?
Of all the classical liberal values that come down from John Stewart
Mill, freedom of speech is the most important.
What were you thinking?

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Dear Professor Thomas – I am writing to express my surprise and displeasure at your

action in closing down Dr Don Brash’s invitation to speak to a Massey politics student
group. This is a direct assault on the foundations of the university, and the Act under which
it operates.
Western civilisation has only progressed with the lifting of oppression at all levels in our
societies and it is this lifting of oppression which has enabled people to express their
freedoms with opinions, and this has given society the ability to progress beyond the Dark
Ages.
I have read Dr Brash’s speech notes. They contain nothing that could even be described as
controversial. Indeed, I would think any political studies student would be very pleased to
listen to Dr Brash, given the content of his notes. He was a central figure in an important
part of our recent political history, as well as our governance and commercial history.
That you banned him for whatever apparent reason is a disgrace. It reflects only on your
poor judgement, your lack of real life knowledge, and the status of Massey under your
stewardship.
Howick, Auckland
Virus-free. www.avast.com
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Dear Jan,
Your ill-considered actions have brought your university into disrepute and embarrassed New Zealand on the
world stage.
The only decent thing you can now do is resign, and I encourage you to do so.
Kind regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Good morning Jan,
As an alumni of Massey University (BBS graduated 1991) I am very disappointed

for you to have breached both the Human Rights Act the Education Act and
not allowed a speaker to be on our campus.
You have enabled a “thugs veto” where any threat can cause free speech to
be closed down.
This is a dangerous precedent for New Zealand and you should hang your head
in shame.
Unless you rescind this disgraceful position I will no longer support Massey
University.
Kind regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Dear J B Thomas,
Yes, let's bury dissenting ideas. That makes for a healthy society - NOT.
What a woose!
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Ms Thomas,
Your position on the cancellation of the Don Brash speech is indefensible. You have successfully united the
country against the current frightening threat to free speech in New Zealand. Congratulations, a huge fail on
your part. You should of course apologise and change your decision. Failing this you should resign.
Sent from my iPad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
I am utterly amazed and bemused that you could make such a decision and especially
when very few or indeed any actual threats of violence were made .
And even if they had been I would have expected someone in your position to show great
courage and not to bow down like a frightened little rabbit.( kangaroo?)
More like that of a mindless unthinking chicken gutted Pc brigade leader.
Really frightening coming from a person on the top rung of a NZ University.
And of an Australian to boot. Good grief, thank you very much for nothing.
Everyone makes mistakes but you have indicated here that you are not fit to hold your
present position. Do you have the courage to resign?
Very sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Prof Thomas,
I am a graduate of Massey University. I still recall my ID number off the top of my head -
- and before today's event I proudly recommended Massey and Palmerston
North as a top class student experience and education to anyone I've known, managed or
work with over the years.
As Alumni, I have been very successful, in part due the educational habits I developed at
Massey. I regularly sponsor extended family members to attend Massey. I myself had been
in the process of enrolling in post graduate study in 2019.
I listened to your media interviews today and your claim to have health and saftey reasons
for blocking Brash is a blatant lie given you failed to consult with Police or Campus
Security. It was clear to me that your personal distaste of Brash's politics was the real
reason for his ban, especially given most of your air time was given to a personal critique
of his views that you apparently deliberately misrepresent: Brash does not support
Southern or Molyneux - he supports their right to free speech. Brash supports the idea of
one law for all New Zealanders regardless of their race - how is that racist? You clearly
disagree with Brash's views, as is your right, however it is a terrible shame that you have
such little respect for your student body that you feel they need to be protected from being
offended or from forming their own opinions.
After your actions today blocking Don Brash from campus and your clear contempt for
free speech, Massey University will no longer enjoy my patronage while you are Vice
Chancellor and continues to suppress genuine debate. As an academic leader, you of all
people should strongly support free speech on Campus and not be cowed by thugs who
threaten violence against someone whose views they do not approve. There are existing
laws to deal with so called 'hate' speech so make use of them, otherwise you should be at
the forefront of free and open discourse. This is your service to the public who fund you.
I am shocked and appalled by your actions and I truely hope you are never again in a
position to make such a decision but perhaps you should reflect on Oscar Wilde next time
you hear someone express a view you find offensive.
“I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an ass of
yourself.”
Oscar Wilde
Don't make an ass of yourself.
Yours sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
You are so wrong in your actions, you are allowing the terrorists to impinge on others
rights. Shame on you!
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Dear Ms Thomas,
I am extremely disappointed regarding your decision to deny Dr Brash his right to free
speech. I thought that universities welcome the free exchange of ideas.
Claiming that you support free speech but oppose "hate speech" is specious and without
merit. Who is going to be the arbiter of what constitutes "hate speech"? Much of what
leftist people may be deemed hate speech by those on the right and vise versa, so are you
advocating that they refrain from speaking to each other?
This is no trivial matter, history clearly shows that despotism invariably begins with the
suppression of free speech and the censorship of ideas considered hateful.
As you are associated with a university which is supposed to challenge it's students with
confronting ideas and to encourage open debate, I would suggest that you should resign
your position because of your opposition to these basic principles.
Regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Dear Ms Thomas,
Your decision to ban former leader of the Opposition, Don Brash, from speaking on campus at Massey
University is unacceptable.
Such a decision suggests your working from a basis of puerile emotionalism rather than rationality and
common sense and is unbecoming of a person in your position.
Universities are about ideas not censorship.
As a graduate of Massey University, I believe that Don Brash is owed a public apology.
Such actions denigrate the standing of a once well respected institution.
Regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Dear J.B. Thomas,
As alumni of Massey University, we are appalled at your decision to prevent Dr Don Brash
from speaking at Massey University.
Your decision is discrageful and shows no understanding of how New Zealanders think or
act towards those with whom we disagree.
Dr Brash was leader of one of our main political parties and should be shown some respect
for the role he had in leading our country. He has a story to tell about his time as leader of
the National Party.
We call for your resignation as V.C of Massey University. Freedom of speech is the
essence of universities.....a value you have just trashed.
Regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Importance: High
Dear Professor,
We are truly appalled at the application of arbitrary standards that lead to Mr D Brash’s talk
being cancelled. To describe his views, whether one agrees with them or not, as ‘hate speech’ or
‘approaching (really?) hate speech’, is to carelessly discard the fundamental right and indeed the
underlying value of free speech, which generations (like mine) have fought to both institute and
preserve. And that is of course to encourage debate, argument and counter argument. The best
way to negate the effects of speech with which you disagree, is better reasoned and more
persuasive speech, not banning it for God’s sake.
Such actions lend sobering credence to the views of Professor Jordan Peterson who maintains
that instead of teaching comprehension and reasoning, Universities and Academia are
propagating positively dangerous, collective ideologies. From where we sit, he seems to be
pretty much on the money …?
With kind regards,

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
What has happened to your once proud institution that you are prepared to give in to
threats of violence by a few thugs over the right of free and open discussion or do you only
want to hear opinions you agree with. ? I urge you to reconsider your decision urgently as
you are encouraging further threats of unlawful violence.
Kiwitea
Feildìng

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Your decision to ban Don Brash from speaking at Massey is a poor decision and has made you
look silly. We may not like Don Brash and his views but within the law he is quite entitled to hold
his views and speak to students. Your action has brought the university into disrupt. It appears
that the University is led by a “third rate academic”.
If you had any decency you would resign.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:

Your decision today to cancel an event where Dr Don Brash (not “Mr”), among others,
was due to speak is most disappointing and an extreme retrograde step in the evolution of
learning.
You have failed to distinguish between “hate” speech and the “right” to speak and accused
Dr Brash of supporting Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux. That is clearly not the case.
Further you state that Dr Brash’s views that he and its supporters espoused in relation to Maori wards
on councils was clearly of concern to many staff, particularly Maori staff. In this arena it is ironic that
the “one man one vote” principle is completely lost and it ignores fairness and equity. The extension
of this is your decision to avoid an open debate in case some people get upset.
Also you say that the views expressed by the members of Hobson’s Pledge come dangerously close
to hate speech. That is, patently, an untruth
All of the above reflects poorly on your judgement and your suitability to hold the senior role at
Massey University. Your decision is shameful and I join the chorus of those who call for your
resignation.
Howick
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Importance: High
Hello Ms Thomas,
I am much concerned that as the head of a NZ institution of higher learning you have
seen fit to prevent Don Brash from speaking on your campus.
The reasons you give for such draconian action simply do not wash.
Dr Brash’s proposed address had no connection whatsoever with the ill-considered visit
of Ms Southern and Mr Molyneux .
To suggest that Dr Brash’s presence in your bailiwick could necessitate police
attendance is a trumped up excuse and is an undeserved indictment on members of
your student body.
As the Vice Chancellor of Massey University you should be encouraging robust

discussion and exchange of views on matters of moment, not stifling it.
I suggest you reconsider your action and perhaps apologise to your students for
depriving them of the opportunity of debate with Dr Brash whose views obviously do
align with your own.
Sincerely,
Auckland
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Ms Thomas,
Your decision is pathetic.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Dear J.B.Thomas,
As an alumni of Massey University I wish to express my displeasure at your decision to

ban former Leader of the National Party Don Brash from speaking at Massey University.
Your action is a disgrace and flies in the face of the academic freedom and commitment to
open discourse and free speech that should be the hallmarks of any reputable university.
You have brought Massey University into disrepute and should resign your position
Yours sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
It is clear free speech is speech that you agree with and hate speech is that you disagree with. I
recall Germany in the early 1930’s had a group of people with views similar to yours.
They were called Brown Shirts.
Kind regards
Supporter of Free Speech that I dont agree with.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Good Afternoon Professor Thomas

I am a Year 13 student and in recent weeks, I had decided to study for a degree from next year at
Massey. However, I have reversed this decision today, as a direct result of your actions in
cancelling the event featuring Don Brash. I believe I cannot morally learn from an educational
institute which has a Vice Chancellor who does not believe in free speech - at a place which
should be the centre of free speech and open discussion. I believe, along with the vast majority
of New Zealanders, that free speech is one of the most important pillars of our free society, and
it has been used for so much positive change in our history, such as the women’s suffrage
movement. Having officials of our society decide what speech can be said and what is ‘hate
speech’ sets a dangerous precedent. I call on you to resign immediately or reverse your decision
with an apology, otherwise I, along with so many more, will not be attending Massey University.
This can be seen in the below poll with 2200 sample size of New Zealander’s opinions on your
actions:
Regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
I hope you are aware of the president you have created, violence wins
the day. So he who is the most violent gets to speak at Massey. I hope
you will consider resigning from your position as you have failed NZ and
the students on every count.
Regards
Dunedin
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Your decision is a complete disgrace and totally against any concept of free speech
Your use of health and safety risks is completely disingenuous and an abuse of your powers
You have severely devalued the University you are paid by taxpayers to lead. It is apparent that an inquiring
mind and hearing other points of view is not to be part of Massey University under your leadership
Promoting group think is completely contrary to the very concept if academic curiosity
You should be ashamed to take the taxpayers coin under the pretence of running an institution of higher
learning
I suggest you resign forthwith
NEW ZEALAND
From: n
To: Thomas, Jan
I am completely disheartened that you have refused Don Brash to speak.
Universities were created to encourage enlightenment and higher thinking. What you are
doing is promoting silence by force.
Don Brash has a wealth of experience and knowledge to share and shutting him out with
the excuse of thuggish behaviour is simply a cop out. Deal with the behavioural issues but
denying students the right to hear him or anyone else you and your ilk disagree with, will
put this country on a fast track to ruin.
Supporter of ALL free speech

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Professor Thomas,
There can be no free speech if you oppose ‘hate speech’. This is an oxymoron.
You make it plain in your statement regarding the Brash talk that you have considerable distaste
for his political views and leave yourself open to the accusation that this is your ultimate reason
for cancelling the event.
Simply labelling someone’s views as ‘hate speech’ is an intellectually feeble argument and
inadequate excuse. By falling in with the groupthink that it is somehow legitimately liable to be
suppressed you have encouraged the ‘mob’ to rule and you can expect their violence to escalate
the next time anyone who’s opinion they reject is invited to speak. You will be responsible for
encouraging that violence.
Spuriously introducing the Treaty shows your intention to signal your virtue, but only exposes
your desire to stir racism.
All in all, a poor performance. Please think more deeply next time.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Jan
Banning Brash is just nuts!

What is this world coming to?
You are obviously a lefty!
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Professor Thomas,
I was very disappointed to see that your University has declined the opportunity for Don
Brash to speak. I do not agree with his views and I will not reiterate the arguments for
free speech which have been articulated very well by others. The point I wish to make to
you is that by attempting to ban these views you are inadvertently giving them far more
exposure that they would otherwise have got. Who in NZ had heard of the Canadians prior
to the recent furore ? Many more now will have become familiar now with their views,
courtesy of the Internet. And they will have gained adherents they did not previously have.
Likewise your actions will have strengthened those whose views you oppose. An
unfortunate outcome. I believe a parallel is the vociferous opposition to Trump shown by
the US Press. I have no doubt it is justified but it will have angered the " Silent Majority"
and may lead to mid term election results favourable to the Republicans.
The law of unforeseen consequences should have been carefully considered before making
your decision. Phil Goff as a politician used to wielding power I can understand. From an
academic, I would have expected better thinking.
Deighton Developments Limited
Phone: 06 758 8821

Mobile: 021 373 955
www.riverviewestate.co.nz
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
You claim “diversity" but practice the most mind numbing conformity.
You claim to practice “tolerance” but move to suppress all dissent.
You claim that “race is a construct” yet advocate along racial lines.
You claim to be for “multiculturalism” yet denigrate white culture.
Your actions are the antithesis of freedom.
This email has been scrubbed for your protection by SMX. For more information visit
smxemail.com
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Let us not lose the precious right to free speech by giving in to thugs.
When free speech is contained, everybody loses out.
Even if you do not agree with what Don Brash has to say, he still has the right to say it.
But for how much longer... while people like you are in positions of power?
You need to reconsider your position on this, for the sake of our country, and the values
we all hold dear.
Either respect free speech or stand down.
This may be a 'Tax Advice Document' subject to non-disclosure rights under the Tax Administration Act 1994. You should
not disclose the contents to any party without first obtaining professional advice. Disclosure may void the non-disclosure
right. This electronic mail message together with any attachments is confidential. If you are not the intended recipient please
email us immediately and destroy the email. You may not copy, disclose or use the contents in any way. Thank you.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Do not give up on what makes our society great and functional, the ability to ask questions and discuss any
topic openly. By banning someone simply because of someone else's intolerance is setting a very dangerous
precident in NZ. Not only has the Auckland council capitulated to the intolerant few but now you too. This kind
of thing has been happening in other places in the world with violent results. Do not follow suit.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: FREE SPEECH
Dear Vice Chancellor ... Your decision to ban Don Brash from speaking at Massey
University is wrong and an attack on academic freedom. Like it or not Brash is a
respected New Zealander who reflects the views of many fellow New Zealanders. You
are not a New Zealander and, by your action, you have forfeited our respect. Reminds
me much of the underarm bowling incident orchestrated by your fellow countrymen.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: free speech
Dear Jan Thomas
I am deeply disappointed by your and your university's actions.

If universities will not uphold freedom of speech, who will.
I will no longer consider Massey University for future studies.
Regards
---------- Forwarded message ---------

From: Don Brash <nz.free.speech.coalition@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2018 at 13:01
Subject: Enemies of free speech feel emboldened
To: <t
Dear Supporter,
Tomorrow I was due to speak to members of Massey University’s Politics

Society in Palmerston North. I was invited by the group two and a half
months ago to speak about my experience as Leader of the National
Party.
This morning, the University’s Vice-Chancellor Jan Thomas announced

the University has cancelled the booking due to “security concerns”, my
involvement with Hobson’s Pledge, and my views on Maori wards on
councils, which she says “come dangerously close to hate speech” and fail
to recognise “the values of a Tiriti o Waitangi-led organisation”.
She also references my “support” of Lauren Southern and Stefan

Molyneux (which was in fact merely support of their right to speak, not an
endorsement of their views).
You can read the Vice-Chancellor’s full statement here.
I believe the Vice-Chancellor’s position is a disgraceful contradiction

of publicly-funded universities’ role in hosting robust debate and the
free exchange of ideas.
You can read the Free Speech Coalition’s media release in response
here.
On Thursday night I am scheduled to take part in a debate at the
University of Auckland. We now fear that the University of Auckland too
will give in to the vocal minority. The University must commit to providing a
secure environment for free speech, lest it spark a domino effect that will
wipe away the long-standing tradition of free expression on university
campuses.
These issues are not going away, and nor are they limited to university
campuses. The following visits from international speakers are now all
vulnerable to the “thug’s veto”, by which anyone can shut down speech
they disagree with by threatening violent protest:
Douglas Murray, Aotea Centre, August 17

Nigel Farage, SkyCity, September 4
Pauline Hanson, venue TBC, November
Jordan Peterson, venue TBC, February
It is clear that the thugs have been emboldened by Auckland Council’s

capitulation to protesters of the Southern/Molyneux event. This is why we
are continuing our fight to defend free speech.
Thank you for your support,
Don Brash
Free Speech Coalition
PS, if you feel as strongly as I do on these matters, please feel free to

email Professor Jan Thomas via J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz.
This email was sent to thevinocrat@gmail.com

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Free Speech Coalition · Level 4 117 Lambton Quay · Wellington Central, Wellington 6011 · New Zealand
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Dear Ms Thomas
As a concerned citizen I am writing to you to express my total and utter dismay at your
comments related to the speaking engagement that was to be held by Don Brash on the Massey
campus recently.
Rather than repeat the numerous counter-arguments against your view, most of which you have
no doubt already heard, I will simply ask you to substantially increase your respect for the Bill of
Rights Act and the Education Act, both of which I believe have now been substantially
undermined by your Institution, along with other Government and civic leaders.
Sincerely,
.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Date: 9 August 2018 10:16:38 AM
I write to express my disappointment at the action you have taken in deplatforming Dr Don Brash.
If we want to educate our young people to become thinking and productive citizens it is essential that our
universities are not only centres of academic excellence in t aching and research but also environments which
support, encourage and debate ideas.
Should threats of violence arise from this the police should be informed and the source of such threats exposed.
I urge you, for the sake of Massey University, to apologise to Dr Brash, your students and alumni and work to
ensure that your campus welcomes free speech at all times.
Kind Regards,
Sent from my iPad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: Free speech?
Warm Pacific Greetings,
As you might know, New Zealand is ranked number 1 on the global freedom index. A title worth protecting given the climate in other parts of the world.
The potential for violence should never deter free speech. In fact, that's exactly what the perpetrators are trying to achieve. When you cancel events, you give them exactly
what they want.
As an academic, it falls on you to safeguard the very freedoms that have helped inspire social and political development. Students look to you to model the values of the
free world.
I ask that you reconsider your position in light of the dangerous precedent that it risks creating. Jacinda Ardern called it an overreaction this afternoon.
I leave you with an appropriate quote.
Yours Sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Freedom of expression in NZ

I was very disappointed to learn that my friend Don Brash had been deplatformed for his
talk to the Massey University’s Politics Society in Palmerston North.
I am a proud Massey Chemistry alumni, supporter and donor to the refractory rebuild.
For Freedom of Expression in NZ

1. Section 14 of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (BORA) states that:
“Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, including the right to seek, receive, and
impart information and opinions of any kind in any form”.
2. Breach this freedom for so called “hate speech” under the NZ Human Rights Act 1993
sections 61 and 131 and you risk being charged.
3. It is for the courts will decide this - not some random politician or threat by protesters
or excuse of security problems by university or government agencies.
4. To inhibit free speech before it has been uttered is in breach of section 14 above and
should be upheld by yourself, the police and all government agencies.
5. I feel that it is important that we support this process and not surrender our principles in
our liberal democracy to these authoritarian opponents.
Please can you help and reinstate Dr Brash. We are all educated adults and can make up
our own minds about all forms of expression.
Yours sincerely
Sent from my iPhone

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Freedom Of Speech - and your Resignation
image002.png
image003.png
image004.png
I am a graduate of Massey University Palmerston North

So I have a real affinity
You behaviour with Don Brash is appalling and must be challenged
I also own and run a large Security company that handles many such events
So think I am pretty qualified to know what constitutes a “Security Threat”
We could so easily handle such an Event – no problem

We work with Police and the Event Organiser and the Venue and generally have good outcomes
But for you to hide behind “Security Risk” is pathetic and a failure of you doing your job.
Any decent Security Company could secure your Venue at Massey University
For you to claim otherwise is either ignorance or arrogance
Also Don Brash is a small, hardly offensive guy who has views that resonate with many many
Kiwis
What gives you the right to be the Judge about him?
Don Brash is a fine NZer and has done more for his country – than you – by your actions – are
ever likely to
I really think you should resign and certainly apologise

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Freedom of Speech a casualty at Massey
Kia ora Professor Thomas
Your decision to prevent Don Brash from speaking at the university will have serious
consequences for New Zealand's future.
As a Maori, Ngapuhi descent, I am very disappointed with your rationale behind the
decision.
What has transpired is a specific minority group now has power to disrupt and prevent
rational discussion.
This reflects poorly on us as a people, not being able to debate maturely a large range of
topics aiding New Zealand's progression.
Feeling strongly about this, I now intend to lobby government for a reduction of funding
for any publicly funded organisation which acknowledges and legitimizes groups who
choose to threaten violence.
Nga mihi
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Freedom of speech
“People who do that sort of thing may reap what they sow, but they also destroy the harvest of
those who are around them.”
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Freedom of Speech
I deplore your universities ban on free speech by de platforming Don Brash.
Universities were once at the forefront of free speech. But since social-Marxists have
dominated the non-science social sciences, opinions on the right have been silenced.
Emboldened by the election of a Marxist as Prime Minister the thuggish behaviour of the
left is being used to silence dissenting views. This is deplorable. A publically funded
university should be teaching tolerance of all views.
You position is a disgrace to all New Zealanders.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Coward. I now know it is true. The left are running our universities.
Disappointing Jan.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Freedom of speech - canceled because of a stupid, academic nerd, with little concept and
understanding of the real world.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Dear Ms Thomas
Your decision to attack the democratic traditions in this country will ensure you are regarded by history as a
pariah and a failed university administrator. Irrespective of your views of Dr Brash (and I do not agree with
much of his thinking) your decision to ban him, and therefore free speech on your campus, must appal every
supporter of human rights in NZ. You have assumed the burden of deciding what our citizens can and cannot
hear and you should be, at very least,
ashamed
Auckland
Sent from my iPhone

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
I am totally astonished at the gutlessness of your university in rolling over to threats of

violence and cancelling Don Brash's address.
You can't use the "hate speech" excuse. Don Brash espouses one law for all in New
Zealand. That is inclusive, NOT divisive, as our current political system is.
This is a day of shame on your establishment. Do Brash's ideas and opinions are readily
accessible in books he has authored. When do we get around to having a public book-
burning?
Please at least attempt to open your closed mind. I thought that would be a
prerequisite for a Vice Chancellor.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Freedom of speech(Which you appear to disagree with)
“People who do that sort of thing may reap what they sow, but they also destroy the harvest of
those who are around them.”
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc: Don Brash
Subject: Freedom of Speech.
Hello Professor Thomas.
When Phil Goff withdrew venues from Lauren Southern and Stefan
Molyneux I was deeply ashamed of the small mindedness of NZ. That you
have now banned Don Brash deepens my shame.
Our democracy is built on a set of foundations – solid if left alone but each
can be weakened and endanger the structure above. The rule of law,
property rights, separation of the judiciary from the executive and, yes,
freedom of speech are these fondations. In a short time you and Goff have
started to undermine the last of these.
Claiming security issues is a farce. We have a police and judicial system for
the protection of our citizens. Sometimes it will be inconvenient to rely on
these but better that than we rely on the judgement of an individual. Have I
read somewhere that you are concerned at the effect of something called
‘hate speech’ and that you considered that Dr Brash might espouse this?
Specifically that his views might offend some/all of his listeners and
especially the members of your staff who are Maori. I’m not sure what hate
speech is but if it is defined by the offence it might cause to some people
then I suggest that it is no more a justification for banning Dr Brash than any
other spurious reason. For what it’s worth I am deeply offended by heavily
tattooed faces which might be viewed as a protest against colonialism. I am
deeply offended when tongues are poked out from these heavily tattooed
faces or when the owners of these faces wish to bare their bottoms. Indeed,
the very intention of baring one’s bottom is to give offence.
However if people wish to disfigure themselves in the most appalling way,

if they want to cause offence through facial and other gestures this does not
give anyone the right to deny them the opportunity to offend me. I accept
that free speech means that people may be offended but as a cornerstone of
our democracy it is too important to be trifled with.
You would do all of us and your university a service if you were to resile
from your position.
Blenheim
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Freedom of speech.
It is with considerable concern, that I state to you that your personal prejudices are
preventing open debate by people broad minded enough to challenge politically correct
approaches to New Zealand’s future.
You are in a minority, and as external to NZ statepeople state ,that NZ is now becoming
not a democracy , but a way of allowing minority rule through expansion of opinion of
them versus majority agreement.
You may feel that your popularity is under pressure to allow Don Brash to speak, how
about your responsibility for free speech to New Zealanders of many races.
We are composed of many races, not just Maoris and white Anglo Saxon , and all deserve
recognition and rights.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: FREEDOM OF SPEECH
I am appalled that a place of learning would prevent a person from talking to his fellow Citizens!
How you can justify this decision is simply not possible.
You have disgraced the University and yourself
Sent from my iPhone

From:
To: j.bthomas@massey.ac.nz
Date: 7 August 2018 10:58:48 PM
Dear Chancellor Thomas,

Don Brash has the right to express his views whether you, or other individuals at your
university, support them or not. Freedom of speech underpins our democracy. People who
have an issue with that do not belong in this country. The fact that you cancelled Dr.
Brash's scheduled speaking event due to a threatening minority of individuals and in so
doing, denied a respected political figure the right to express his views, is inexcusable.
Reverse your decision or resign.
Yours Faithfully,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
I cannot agree with your decision to dismiss an individual citizen’s right

of free speech which is in effect an attack the democratic freedom of all
New Zealanders.
Irrespective of your views of Dr Brash, the decision to ban him is an
affront to the majority of New Zealanders.
Free speech has been hard won and is a valued Human Right. The
latter, a point you have either forgotten or chosen to avoid?
Respectfully, I do not agree with the majority Dr Brash’s thinking and

opinion, but certainly support his right to free speech and without
interference our individual freedom to agree or disagree with him.
You have in effect made a decision on what New Zealand citizens can
and cannot hear, read or communicate. Your decision must be against
all principles of free and democratic expression and may also be a
totally opposite to the ethical values of Massey University.
I can only hope that you have the decency to apologise to Dr

Brash and to the Nation.
Auckland.
New Zealand.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: Free-Speech Outrage
‘Professor’ Thomas…
We join the incredulous outrage being voiced at your outlandish attempt at

superimposing your own narrow prejudices on your students and the general public by
attempting to ban one of the country’s most highly regarded public figures from
speaking at Massey. How you could be so out of tune with the current sensitivity to such
overt action from the left is beyond comprehension… let alone doing so from a position of
deemed responsibility for the preservation, no, encouragement, of the democratic
principle of free expression. And taxpayer-funded to boot.
We are appalled and trust you will be censured professionally and appropriately called to
account for this transgression.
You are an embarrassment and a threat.
Auckland
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: From the Son of a Previous Assistant Vice-Chancellor
Dear Jan Thomas,
My father,
Dad lived as an adult during years when both the National party and the Labour party
underwent a lot of radical changes and he disagreed with many things both parties had
done over the years. He also approved of other things each party did. And in regard to that,
it depended on which decade he was talking about (and in some decades, he thought both
parties simultaneously had wrongheaded policies, and the public couldn't win either way).
When MMP was introduced, he took interest in minor parties and how they could
potentially influence the decision making of these two major parties.
Dad had mixed views on Don Brash, agreeing with him in some ways, and disagreeing
with him in other ways. As a person who was interested in farming, he didn't agree with
everything Don Brash did as the reserve bank governor in response to the floating NZ
dollar (in relation to overseas currencies). He also didn't think Don Brash was a viable
leader for National, in comparison to say, John Key. But he wasn't against all of Don
Brash's positions by any means.
Dad also told me that there was a time in New Zealand when the level of unemployment
for both European and Maori New Zealand men was very low, and employment gave men
a sense of purpose, pride and a sense of belonging to a wider community. That, along with
good parenting in general, also set an example for children born and raised in such
families. He also believed, despite the 2-dimensional picture painted today about New
Zealand before the Maori Renaissance period, of, say the 1970s and onwards, that race
relations in New Zealand were relatively good in a lot of ways, and European and Maori
men often worked alongside one another—and were often friends with each other. I've
seen with my own eyes and experienced first hand that the same holds true today a lot of
the time. But there also is a lot of antagonism at the abstract level. There is also a lot of
isolation that comes from unemployment, and the continuation of that problem becomes
more inevitable with inter-generational unemployment. In saying all of that, there are a lot
of people in New Zealand of Maori ancestry who are doing very well.
My Dad used to talk sometimes about the downsides of unions, when union leadership
would take their members for granted and had personal agendas that didn't speak for their
members. He also talked about University academics who sometimes had a myopic view
about how money should spent that in truth wouldn't serve the wider University, or the
University in the longer term. He also used to talk about the way modern representative
democracy often isn't what it's cracked up to be, and that elected people often don't serve
the people they voted particularly well.
Dad died in 2015, but I can assure you, he would be against Massey University's position
to cave to a group that wishes to prevent a person like Don Brash from speaking. The very
idea of that goes against what Universities were originally set up for in the Middle Ages,
and the University should see it as its role to uphold that tradition. Universities were set up
for people to test their intellectual ideas against the intellectual ideas of others, and
sometimes they may never reach agreement but they can at least reach clarity over why
they differ with one another (often because of different sets of factors taken into account
and given weight). It is that process of scrutiny that tests the soundness of those positions.
It is similar to the peer reviewing process that published academic writing continues to go
through today.
I believe that if Massey University invests in security measures to allow Don Brash to
participate in this debate and this becomes known, it will do the reputation of Massey
University a far greater service than the alternative will. I am telling you this as the son of
Bill Tither, who I know played a key role in projects that resulted in enrollment numbers
going up in the mid 1990s to a greater extent than several of the other universities in New
Zealand at the time.
I also believe that if the University changes it's mind, it will get bi-partisan approval by
leaders and of political parties and members of parliament, and may even get positive
international media recognition. And now that you have personally been mentioned in the
media, I also believe it will also do your reputation a lot of good. It will not be seen as
weakness to change your mind, it will be seen as a reasoned response that has taken all
factors into account.
There are Ivy League Universities in the USA that have been widely criticised in recent
years by people with liberal-leaning leftish perspectives, centrist independents, and people with
conservative positions for preventing a range of speakers from speaking on their campuses
because of the noise made by relatively small fringe groups who are out to vandalise,
terrorise and injure people who hold different abstract positions to them.
The student body is more diverse in thought than those groups. Many students aren't
willing to get into conflict, but they quietly hold a range of positions on these matters.
I hope this email among other emails will help you reconsider your position.
Thanks,
.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: FW: CULTURAL COMPETENCE - AN OUTRAGE
Attachments:
Dear Prof Thomas
IN CONFIDENCE – INSOFAR AS CERTAIN PERSONAL COMMENTS APPEAR

UNREDACTED IN THE ATTACHED
I have just watched your defence on TV3’s The Project.
In counterpoint, this obliges me to ask the question as to whether or not the issues
you cited around vilification apply in reverse. Please read the attached and, in
particular, my comments about Don Brash, whose views I do not subscribe to.
Curiously, I am yet to gain traction on the matter from any of our ranking politicians
and will very soon take the matter to the media. That is my last resort.
I am aware that delivered substantially the same message at

Middlemore Hospital recently. In other words, he continues with his particular
brand of mendacious invective, unchecked and unrepentant.
Couple that with the fact that , who did nothing constructive to
address this issue, was appointed
– 2 weeks ago.
Perhaps you may care to comment. Better still, to give Mr Hurihanganui the kind
of public outing that hucksters of this ilk so manifestly deserve.
Sincerely
From:
Sent: Friday, 20 July 2018 7:33 PM
To:
Subject: FW: CULTURAL COMPETENCE - AN OUTRAGE
Dear and
I address the two of you now because:

1 This matter has been before the Ministers responsible for over 2 months,
without any meaningful response.
14 May 2018 2:11 PM
To:
Subject: CULTURAL COMPETENCE - AN OUTRAGE
Dear Minister
Please confirm safe receipt and acknowledgement of items A and B immediately
above.
Thanks and regards

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: FW: Don Brash Speech / Free Speech / Denigration of Massey University
From:
Sent: 7 August 2018 2:08 PM
To: 'J.B.@Massey.ac.NZ' <J.B.@Massey.ac.NZ>
Subject: Don Brash Speech / Free Speech / Denigration of Massey University
Hello Jan,
I should like to let you know that your actions in cancellation of a speech by Don Brash is
absolutely unbelievable .
Apart from the fact that Don Brash is deservedly one the most respected economists in the
western world, you demonstrate either a total lack of courage or a political bias that has no place
in a University.
Freedom of thinking and free speech is a cornerstone of our Western society, and should not be
more paramount in anywhere else than a University .
You have in one action denigrated a previously well thought of University . Your action is to
Massey as Trevor Chappell’s under-arm bowl in 1981 to Australian cricket .
Your bias and or lack of courage and understanding are significant evidence of the fact that you
are not fit to hold the position you do.
The only way you can make amends is to reverse your decision, invite Don Brash to speak, and
then resign .
Yours faithfully
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Fw: Free speech,ban on speaker Don Brash
Date: 8 August 2018 12:02:02 PM
Hi,
Dear lady if you haven't read this contribution on your irrational decision to ban
Don Brash,then you should-especially the reasoned comments by by this blogs
readers.
https://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2018/08/some-good-ideas-from-david-farrar/
Regards

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: FW: Free Speech
From:
Sent: Wednesday, 8 August 2018 5:26 PM
To: contact@massey.ac.nz
What a joke your Uni has become. It used to be universities were for FREE SPEECE AND
DIFFERENT IDEAS, but now, if you don’t agree with someone, slap on the label HATE SPEECE and
say it’s too dangerous to have them speak. In the past, the police used to be there to cover
controversial events. There’s only ONE type of ‘’hate speech’’ going on here, and that’s from
Thomas. I really fear for New Zealand’s future with someone like her thinking she is doing
‘’right.’’ She is in fact doing the exact opposite and tearing this country apart. Why? Because
people who feel like me will think, ‘’this is absolute crap.’’ See what happened in America.?
People dig their heels in and vote for someone, ANYONE, who says enough is enough! And I’m
not even a Brash ‘’fan!’’
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: FW: How is the 21st century changing kiwi families?
Please see below my response to an email I received today. My response is directly related to your decision to ban Dr Brash
form speaking at a Massey function. Frankly your decision is a disgrace and I am, as I have said, ashamed to be associated with
Massey University as a result.
The information in this email message is confidential and may be subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not use,
disclose, distribute, copy or retain this communication. If you have received this communication in error, please delete the email and inform us
immediately.
From:
Sent: Tuesday, 7 August 2018 2:48 p.m.
To: 'alumni@massey.ac.nz'
Subject: RE: How is the 21st century changing kiwi families?
Thank you for this email.
I wish to let you know that I have no interest in continuing to receive such emails. In fact, in light of the VC’s decision to
subvert the principle of free speech by banning an address by Dr Dom Brash which she has decided in some way offends her, I
wish to terminate all association with the Massey Alumni and with the University itself. I will never understand why certain
individuals in academe see it as their prerogative to decide who I should and should not be able to listen to and to make up my
own mind as to what is good or bad opinion. FREE SPEECH AT MASSEY UNIVERSITY DIED THIS DAY.
I am ashamed to have to tell my friends, associates and colleagues that I am a Massey University graduate from this day
forward.
Please confirm receipt of this email and delete me from your records.
The information in this email message is confidential and may be subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not use,
disclose, distribute, copy or retain this communication. If you have received this communication in error, please delete the email and inform us
immediately.
From: Massey University Alumni Relations [mailto:alumni@massey.ac.nz]

To:
is the 21st century changing kiwi families?
Invitation to Massey University event

How is the 21st century changing kiwi families?
As the second decade of the 21st century draws to a close, there are some interesting social and demographic
trends that are changing the nature and structure of what was the typical New Zealand family. Some of these
factors are economic: the perceived vs actual cost of raising children, the conflict between earning an income
and raising a family and young adult debt and the increased cost of housing. While other factors are long term
demographic trends including, a decline in fertility, a delay in having a first child and the decision to have less
children than previous generations.
Join us as we uncover what is happening to the changing face of the kiwi family and if our policies are
appropriate and adapting to what is relevant to the 21st century.
Auckland
Date: 21 August
Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Venue: The Grand Mecure Hotel, 8 Customs Street East, Auckland
Registration
Register online or email alumni@massey.ac.nz
Privacy Page | Email Preferences | Unsubscribe | Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your browser
From:
To: Alumni Relations
Cc: Massey University; Thomas, Jan
Importance: High
FYI – I have included the VC’s email address this time.
Regards
From:
Cc: 'contact@massey.ac.nz'
Importance: High
As a Massey University graduate I am shocked and extremely disappointed at the action taken by the VC to
prevent Don Brash from speaking at an event on campus.
…and I would cc the VC if I could find her email address.
The reasons given are no less than pathetic – and for a university to curtail free speech just beyond ironic!
Please delete my contact details from any university contact lists – I no longer wish to receive any
correspondence.
Regards

To:
Subject: How is the 21st century changing kiwi families?
Auckland
Date: 21 August
Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Registration
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: Fw: Thank you
Subject: Thank you
Prof Jan Thomas

Vice Chancellor
Massey University
Palmerston North
Dear Prof. Thomas
Greetings & Good Morning
I would like to congratulate you on your firm decision not to allow Dr. Don Brash
(former National Party) to talk to the students and academic community at Massey
University.
Brash intends to deliver hate speech against Islam and Muslims in this country
and also attacks other ethnic groups so that he will be happy as his heart is not
clean. He needs to go and see a specialist or social scientist who can teach him
the concept of respect, moral ethics and sharing and caring for other human
beings.
He does not understand the meaning of public interest nor does he appreciating
the importance of respecting other races so that we will create social harmony in
our society which is already facing many social, economic and financial
challenges. After 22 years of living in NZ society, if we allow Brash to continue
giving hate speech and criticising Maoris and others without any solid foundation
this will lead to social unrest that is not good for all of us.
Thank you & kind regards

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: FW: The AM Show interview request - Chris Whelan - Wed 8/8
not doing the TV3 breakfast interview.
From:
Date: Tuesday, 7 August 2018 at 2:52 PM
To:
Subject: RE: The AM Show interview request - - Wed 8/8
Just heard back from that we won’t be commenting …
From:
Sent: Tuesday, 7 August 2018 1:50 PM
To:
Subject: Re: The AM Show interview request - - Wed 8/8
Thanks
On 7/08/2018, at 1:40 PM, > wrote:
Hi
I’m sure you probably have your hands full with this at the moment, but we’ve
been sent an interview request re the Don Brash cancellation. I’ve forwarded to
… it’s not the sort of thing would
speak to.
In case either of them does want to front up, would you be able to tell me who the
event organiser is – whether it’s the university, or a club, or an external entity
hiring a room on campus.
Thanks
From:
To:
Subject: The AM Show interview request - - Wed 8/8
Hi
We are following the situation unfolding at Massey University today with the ban
on Don Brash giving a speech about politics on campus.
Here's a link to the story on the Newshub website

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/08/don-brash-uninvited-from-
massey-university-speaking-event.html
Would or be available to come on the AM show

tomorrow to talk about the issue of free speech on University Campus' around NZ?
In terms of timing it would be between 0700-0730 am
Cheers,
--
http://cdn.mediaworks.co.nz/esig/group/1.jpg
Attention:
The information contained in this message and/or attachments is intended only for the person or entity to which it
is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination
or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the
intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender, and delete the material
from any system and destroy any copies.
Thank you.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: Fwd: The AM Show interview request - - Wed 8/8
FYI I assume will also turn it down
Begin forwarded message:
From: >
Date: 7 August 2018 at 1:40:21 PM NZST
To: " >
Subject: FW: The AM Show interview request - - Wed 8/8
Hi
I’m sure you probably have your hands full with this at the moment, but we’ve
been sent an interview request re the Don Brash cancellation. I’ve forwarded to
… it’s not the sort of thing would
speak to.
In case either of them does want to front up, would you be able to tell me who the
event organiser is – whether it’s the university, or a club, or an external entity
hiring a room on campus.
Thanks
From:
To:
Subject: The AM Show interview request - - Wed 8/8
Hi
We are following the situation unfolding at Massey University today with the ban
on Don Brash giving a speech about politics on campus.
Here's a link to the story on the Newshub website
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/08/don-brash-uninvited-from-
massey-university-speaking-event.html
Would be available to come on the AM show

tomorrow to talk about the issue of free speech on University Campus' around NZ?
In terms of timing it would be between 0700-0730 am

Cheers,
--
Attention:
Thank you.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Fwd: Untitled document
Attachments: Untitled document.pdf
Please find attached my letter regarding the situation involving Don Brash.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Good feedback for you
hi
We don't know each other and I don't know much about you. I'm emailing because the
attack and criticism aimed at you today doesn't seem justified to me. My son is
studying at your Wellington campus and rates his tutors, the campus and the university
in general very highly.
From a distance I would say that you and AUT are doing the best job in NZ for academic
institutions.
I have an older son at Auckland University. He does not speak highly of them.
Stay strong and keep going! Keep up the good work. :)
warm regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Good for you Vice Chancellor
No doubt your inbox has been working overtime since having made the decision to ban
Brash.
I just want to commend you on your stance.
As you are the leader of Massey University, it is up to you & your employer to decide how
the campus is run - not Bill Ralston, Paula Bennett, David Seymour, or anyone else who
has been calling for you to resign etc etc.
And let's be honest here, if people are so hell bent on hearing Don Brash speak, well then
tell them to invite him round for dinner. :-)
Best wishes,
Sent from Samsung Mobile

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Good grief..!
Dear VC Thomas,
Can’t imagine I’m the only emailer today.
I’ll keep it brief…
You let us down over the Southern/Molyneux fuss.
Now this. It is truly bizarre that a seat of higher learning, yes, a SEAT of HIGHER LEARNING,
should de-platform anyone who breaks no laws. You have no respect for the intellects of the
souls you claim to educate. Did you at any stage of your own education run across the big
thinkers through history???
It’s shameful.
Shameful.
Sincerely,
free. www.avast.com
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Good on you
Hi Jan,
Just sending you an email of support. We sometimes have to draw a line in the sand.
Cheers
Me tiaki, kia ora!

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Goodbye
Janet,
That “thing” that follows you around all day is called your shadow, you will be ok its nothing to
be frightened of, but you may need to keep purchasing nappies because you seem to be wetting
your pants a lot! Please don’t be worried I called it a “thing”, it’s just I couldn’t come up with
anything else to describe your shadow or in fact you…..
I do think North Korea is the place for you, then you can wear red and be a true communist.
Happy to shout you a one way ticket, you’ll love it!
Good Luck
From:
Thomas, Jan
Subject: Had your jackboots fitted yet?
Shame on you.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: "Hate speech"
Dear Ms Thomas
For 28 years, I was a professor in various NZ universities, first appointed in 1989 at Otago and
ending, with early retirement, last year at During that time, I worked with five vice-
chancellors and a host of pro-vice-chancellors. A few were good, some were bad, and most were
indifferent, but none of them, not even in their worst moments, came close to displaying the appalling
lack of judgement inherent in your recent decision to deny Don Brash the right to speak at Massey.
Almost as awful was your stated justification for doing so. Capitulating to the mob, on the flimsiest of
pretexts, would have been bad enough, but to then compound matters by accusing Dr Brash — a
man whose accomplishments and intellect you could only dream of emulating — of “hate speech” is
truly outrageous.
You clearly have no understanding of what a university is, or what it stands for. You have severely
embarrassed both Massey University and the entire NZ university sector, including all those who
work, or have worked, in it. You therefore have no option but to resign.
Go, before you do more harm!
Yours disgustedly,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: hate speech?
I want to register my extreme disappointment at your actions to limit the expression of free
speech on Campus. To claim that the former leader of the National Party, Don Brash’s
views on equality before the law, regardless of ethnicity borders on ‘hate speech’ is absurd
in the extreme.
To cancel an event because of the ‘threat of violence’ or disruption from those who oppose
our liberties is an act of cowardice, and one in which you should be deeply ashamed.
Universities used to be the bastion of free speech. What happened?
Kind regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Hi Jan
Hi Jan,
I’m writing on the off chance that you will take the time to read and understand the views of
those of us who see actions such as yours (cancelling DB talk) as the thin end of a very
serious/insidious wedge.
I suggest you think long and hard about your decision and the longer term implications of the on-
going push by the far Left to shut down all views at odds with their/your own.
One day the boot might be on the other foot and we can all rest assured that in the longer term
there will be no real winners in continuing down this track.
Whether it be free speech or your relationships, if issues are causing concern, sweeping them
under the carpet or ignoring them is inviting bigger issues longer term. More discussion is far
better than less discussion.
Cheers
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Hi there
Date: 7 August 2018 10:26:47 PM
Just saw in the NZ Herald that you’re VC of Massey. I was there in the early 80s. Wonderful place. Well done!
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: I support your decision
Date: 7 August 2018 11:04:28 PM
Tena koe Vice-Chancellor Thomas
I support the decision to cancel the appearance of Don Brash.
This work he does hurts people.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: If good men do nothing evil will prevail.Just a 73YR old male father to 5 childeendren
ren 8 grandchildren a New Zealander.and tax payer i think your actions are heading down
a very slippery slope
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: I"m Sorry
Dear Jan,
I was so sorry to read in the media of your decision not to allow a

former senior politician to speak a Massey Political Society meeting.
I'm sorry too that the reported reason for you prohibiting Dr Brash
speaking was threats of violence against him or those other attending
the meeting.
I'm sorry that our universities, in times past a focal point for intellectual
& social debate, in my time on the Vietnam War, Springbok Tour, and
Gary Rights, are now so ready, even eager to stifle debate.
I'm very sorry that the development of our Universities devolved to this
point.
Perhaps I should blame my generation. We challenged our parent

generation, helping end the Vietnam War, Apartheid and nuclear
testing. We however have created an environment for this generation,
that the only real protect is over that potential of having their world
view challenged.
That used to be the role of a university, to challenge thinking. But no

more...
I'm sorry
No need for a response Jan, though I'd appreciate your thoughts.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: In defence of free speech
Dear Jan
You have done yourself and your university a disservice today.
You let a veiled threat from a posturing extremist stop the free flow of ideas.
You should resign or change your decision.
Warm regards,
- political radical, (no) do-gooder, bad boy 4 life

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Intellectual Integrity
Good Evening,
Having seen your decision to refuse Mr Brash speaking rights at your 'University', I have
been resigned to the fact your institution is just another pathetic tower of cards that will
collapse in a light breeze. Any intellectual worth their salt will tell you it is a slippery slope
yours and many other universities are on. Clearly you only value diversity of background,
not of thought.
Not that you owe me an explanation, but I would love to hear you give one.
Regards

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Lack of Free Speech at Massey University - ITS YOUR FAULT!
Jan Thomas
My father worked for Massey University in Palmerston North for many years as a senior
lecturer. He would have been disheartened, disgusted even,with your call to shut down
Free Speech by stopping Don Brash from speaking on campus.
Words frankly don’t really encompass or do justice with the incredible disappointment i
feel for you and Massey University and, were he alive, how my father would very likely
feel considering he put his life on the line for freedom and eventually moved his family to
New Zealand for, so I won’t drag this on suffice to state shame on you and shame on your
decision making.
You are not worthy of being Vice-Chancellor.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Let Don Brash speak!
If you, your staff, or your students disagree with Don Brash, why not let him speak and offer
counter arguments to the points you disagree with.
One of the foundations of learning is to be exposed to a variety of ideas and with an open
discerning mind evaluate the ideas on their merits. Then decide for themselves right from
wrong.
How do you expect young people to develop critical thinking and an enquiring mind if they are
only ever allowed to live in “safe spaces” and be fed ideas that suit your biased idea of what is
“acceptable”. Let’s not forget if we only ever discussed “acceptable” ideas people would still
think the earth was flat and it was the Sun that orbited the earth.
You should be teaching your students that the way to higher learning is not by ignoring people’s
ideas you don’t like, nor is it by silencing them, shouting them down, or threatening violence. It
is by listening to what they say, analyzing it, then give credit for the bits you agree with and
offering logical thought-out argument against the bits you don’t.
Your goal should be to teach people "how to fairly & critically evaluate ideas NOT what ideas to
evaluate!!!
Universities should be the very bastions of free-thinking, free-speech and freedom of

expression. Not only should be ashamed but this shows you are not fit for the Chancellor’s job
and you should resign.
Yours,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Letter for your attention
Attachments:
Importance: High
Dear Prof Thomas,
The attached letter is self-explanatory, with requests in addition to the official information
request emailed earlier.
Please confirm receipt.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Lol
Silly woman for caving to thugs. Im maori I read Brash's views and simply thought how
stupid then deleted them. Obviously you dont think your students have the intellectual
horsepower to come to that decision for themselves. All youve done is made a fool of
yourself and given Brash even more free advertising for an issue most people wouldnt
even have known about. Well done
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Re Don Brash ban.
I like approx 80% of New Zealanders strongly disagree with your decision to ban Don
Brash.
We are on a very slippery slope in this country.
Wellington
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Really , are we not allowed an opinion now.. And you are responsible for educating young people
to be open minded, you are a bloody disgrace.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Attn: Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas
With respect to your announcement to stop Don Brash speaking, I think the irony of this
action is that, it just makes violence more likely. It is effectively saying to thugs, if we
cause violence, we can stop our opponents from exercising their free speech.
I have spent some time listening to some of Stefan Molyneux's content, and it is a little
'suspicious' in its implications. i.e. He raises 'unqualified' affects as 'evidence' with respect
to 'race and IQ', on the premise that this is 'science'. I regard this as 'bad science', but is it
any worse that the science on the Left. The remarkable issue with Molyneux is that he
professes to be a 'layperson' on these issues, so why raise facts if you are not going to be
drawn into a 'commentary' (i.e. value judgement) about them. Facts don't speak for
themselves.
With respect to Don Brash. Isn't it a substantive argument that 'whites' might feel 'hard
done by' NZ under the treaty of Waitangi. This to me strikes me as another 'false economy'
by the Left. Denying 'aggrieved Europeans' their voice strikes me as only likely to lead to
greater mistreatment of Maoris. Don't the Left want to empathise with whites? Isn't
everyone worthy of empathy.
On these issues, I hope you are not drawn into the false dichotomy between 'left-right',
when logic-evidence-argument is far and away from the public debate on these issues.
Surely, its not elevated by stopping certain people from speaking.
Rather than thwarting debate, perhaps you might frame the debate in a way that avoids
violence. i.e. Creating the opportunity for everyone to participate in the issue in a
'controlled forum' online. Why does it need a 'physical presence' anyway. The issue is
'access to people', rather than infrastructure, staff or other amenities. What happen to
virtual education?
Regards,
Andrew Sheldon
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Very disappointing to think a New Zealand University would shut down the free speech of
a well regarded political figure like Don Brash.
Your students deserve better than to be sheltered from different perspectives. You are
actually hindering their growth as people.
I think an apology and another invitation are in order.
Regards
Disclaimer: This email message and/or attatchments is intended solely for the the
addressee names above. If you have received this message by mistake please inform the
sender.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
You are a racists femenazi peice of shit.
Get Outlook for Android

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Please pack your bags and go back to Australia, we don't need your sort trying to ban free
speech in our country. You are just a nasty agitator.
Kind regards
Proud New Zealander.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Hi Jan,
You would have received the below email from another person standing up to this
madness. I am re-sending, as it completely portays how I am feeling about this situation.
Please re consider your position on this and allow Don Brash to speak.
Regards,
Your decision to bar Don Brash from speaking at Massey is starting down a very slippery
slope towards creating an environment where we have public organisations picking and
choosing whose freedom of speech rights to uphold based on their personal preferences or
the preferences of their stakeholders.
Having attended Otago University for a number of years I saw on the speaking agenda
people whose opinions were far more deranged, damaging and lacking in any factual
relevance than those of Don Brash, yet they were given an audience just like many great
speakers who held views I agreed with wholeheartedly.
Mr Brash as the ex-leader of the National Party, member of parliament and governor of the
reserve bank is obviously a highly regarded and intelligent member of society in the eyes
of some people. While his views are not shared by all, this is the nature of a democratic
society where by we have the right to hold different views freely, safely and with
conviction.
You and your organisation should be mature enough to allow debate around varying views
or at the very least accept peoples differences and their right to express them to a group
who chooses to associate with them.
There is no compulsion to listen to Don Brash or anyone else speaking at an event or on

the TV or radio so I’m not sure what the issue is?
If its safety based then you need to look very hard at the type of students you are producing
at Massey and the values you are instilling in them. As if its deemed acceptable to simply
threaten those who don’t hold your views and as such those views are censored by
institutions then in fact they have managed to supress them through thuggish behaviour
and with your cowardly act of banning Don from speaking you are pandering to and even
encouraging them.
There any many things in life I can’t stand hearing and completely disagree with, as is my
right, and I exercise that right by not attending these events or listening to these peoples
views, I don’t threaten them or attempt to censor them.
I implore you to take your role as creating a safe environment for people to express
different views, hold informed and mature debate while upholding the mantra of freedom
of speech more seriously and reconsider your approach on this matter.
You are setting a dangerous precedent.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Dear Ms Thomas
I am writing to express my disappointment and opposition to your decision to block Dr

Brash from being able to speak as planned on the Massey campus.
The principle of free speech should not be subverted to the threat of disorder by persons
who oppose a speaker's views. The tendancy to label views with which one may disagree
as "hate speech" is a dangerous one. The history of liberal democracy is not so entrenched
that we should assume that the "right" view will prevail in society or government. Free
speech is intended to protect right-minded speakers and thinkers in the event that tyranny
prevails. In order to avail ourselves of that protection we must accept that in times of
order, people that we disagree with should be allowed to speak and be heard (lest we give
up our rights through hypocracy of action).
I strongly oppose the basis for your decision which is reportedly that disorder might
prevail should Dr Brash be allowed to speak on campus. This hands a weapon to those
who would seek to suppress speech with which they disagree by inciting disorder.
It is intellectually lazy to conflate support for a person's right to speech with support for the
content of that speech, which appears to be the approach of people who argue that "free
speech does not include hate speech". The answer to repugnant speech should always be
reasoned opposition, rather than suppression of those views. As someone who has studied
at Massey University I request that you reconsider your decision, or reconsider whether
you are suited to leading an important educational institution such as Massey University.
Yours faithfully
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Disgraceful banning Dr Brash,a victory for the left wing bullies. Shame on you.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
I am very worried about the lack of freedom of speech that your decision shows. Did you
really think this through?
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Your attitude regarding free speech is appauling, prepare for your impending sacking.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Massey is now the laughing stock of New Zealand Universities
Hi Jan
Massey University is now the laughing stock of the New Zealand business community.
Massey University is now the 'joke' institution and has become any sensible person's last
choice.
You have single-handedly cheapened all Massey University degrees.
I am interested as to why you have not resigned yet?
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Massey Qualifications
Good morning,
This email is just to let you know that your actions yesterday have made me ashamed of
having a Massey degree. I thought Massey was a university that valued open thinking and
free speech... clearly I was wrong.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Massey University and Free Speech.
I write to take this opportunity of saying that I believe Free Speech to be an essential
component of democracy. I don't pretend to understand what certain speakers stand for, but
I do understand that they have a need, and a right, to be able to stand and speak.
If we start treating those, whose opinions we oppose, as trouble makers or enemies, we are
closing down the very core of that which our predecessors gave their lives for in two world
wars i.e. freedom. The freedom to think and speak out what one believes, not just what we
are told believe, or not told the facts in order to process the same.
PC (or public crippling as it could be known) is already holding the reins and causing
people to be afraid to voice what they truly feel. But, it doesn't change what they truly feel,
it just suppresses it- until eventually a backlash bursts wide open. If 'thug's veto' is allowed
to also take the reins over what freedom people have to speak, under the guise of 'health
and safety' we are going down a very slippery slope to the giving away of people's power
to speak what they feel, and be respected, just because that is their right in a democratic
country, not because we agree with their views.
It is also fair to say that, 'dangerously close to hate speech', is not hate speech. And who in
fact is responsible for deciding what is hate speech? I would doubt it is the responsibility
of Massey University?
Most sincerely
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Massey University Ethical Conduct
Date: 8 August 2018 11:35:06 AM
Dear Ms Thomas,
I wish to express my dismay at your recent decision to shut down the speech by Mr Brash
at Massey University.
Universities were first created to be places that fostered the free discussion of ideas,
concepts and theories, so as to help the advancement of the world. You seem to have
decided that your university will not be like that, and it will instead do the direct opposite,
to actively shut down ideas, and to instead brainwash students to your own very narrow-
minded Marxist philosophy.
What is the purpose of having a university at all, if all of the students come out like
brainwashed robots, probably knowing less than if they had not gone to university at all,
but had simply been permitted to talk and share ideas with others, something that clearly
your university does not permit. Perhaps we need to consider whether as New Zealanders,
we want our government to continue to be funding institutions that are obstructive to a free
western society.
Clearly from your own comments in the media, you have also danced a tango with the
truth, having at one time stated that the event was shut down due to safety concerns, but
then separately stating that you personally shut it down, because in essence, you don't like
what you think Mr Brash might say. So which was it?
It appears that your actions are also illegal, being in breach of the Education Act, the
Human Rights Act and the Bill of Rights. I believe that these issues will be investigated
further by others involved.
I notice that you seem to have been spurred into action into stopping this event by just a
single agitator, who is a graduate from social sciences at Massey University. You must be
so proud that your university creates graduates who come back to agitate against their own
university.
You have shown total contempt for the values of free western society, and you have shown
that your university fosters views that are not compatible with democracy. Perhaps that is
your aim?
I expect to see your public apology, and then your resignation. I would also dearly like to
see an inquiry into the abhorrent ideologies being fostered by your university.
Yours Faithfully
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Media coverage of cancelled speaking engagement at Massey
Dear Jan
We have not been introduced, but I thought I would make contact given the media coverage, as per the link below, relating to
the cancelled speaking event at Massey.
Kind regards,
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Meeting
Date: 7 August 2018 10:51:51 PM
I am highly disgusted that you have chosen to cancel the speech by Dr Don Brash at your
University, but I am not surprised as I am seeing the progressive liberal (Communism)
point of view being pushed thru here in NZ and overseas Western countries universities
who don't believe in free speech except their own left point of view.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Money, religion and politics
Date: 8 August 2018 11:01:49 AM
For generations English colonies have culturally avoided talking about religion, politics and
money. Now we can't talk or think about any of them in a civil or critical manner. We have
lost the skills do to so.
Universities used to be the bastions of critical thought. Branding a conversation as

dangerous and therefore improper to discuss is not critical thought.
When bad ideas go unchallenged they are able to grow. Shutting down ideas is not
challenging them. Donald Trump was elected because discussions about bad ideas were
being shut down instead of debated, which meant the people subjected to them were only
getting one point of view.
Almost 70% of Palmerston North voted against Maori Wards, if there was ever a setting for
a debate on what you simply branded "close to hate speech" it was the biggest university
in the region. Your own politics clearly got in the way here as Karl Pearce has already
indicated there was no threat of violence in his letter. If there were threats or acts of
violence not mentioned in the media you need to report them to the police, it is the job of
the state to protect citizens from violence, not yours.
Universities are not just avenues to a job such as veterinary science, they are the ONLY
place in modern society that teach critical thought. Forget this at the peril of your own
politics and our society, the tribalism emerging is based on ideas that are going
unchallenged, until we start challenging them you can expect much worse than Trump to
come.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: No Wonder
No Wonder our country is going down the toilet with liberals like you
controlling young impressionable minds in both universities and
media.The reason liberals act like you is that the TRUTH is something
you can't deal with or answer to so you just turn to being yell-shouter
leftists.This country's future is so bleak because of people like
you.Quit Now!!
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Noam Chomsky
Dear Jan
If you don't believe in free speech for people whose views you despise,
you don't believe in free speech at all.
Noam Chomsky
Please take this on board and re-consider your decision.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Not allowing Don Brash to speak
You gutless idiots ;-(
You've given in to the loud, thoughtless, gutless, violent Left wingers (and their hangers on
- Muslims etc) over rational, peaceful, thoughtful and caring people.
Universities should be places that has the courage to hear all views.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Objection
To Professor Jan Thomas,

I wish to record my total disagreement with your decision to cancel the booking for Don Bash to
speak at the University.
The reasons you give are a nonsense when compared to the principle of free speech. To make
reference to hate speech is a cop out.
I’m ashamed of the stance you have taken as one our Universities leaders.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Open letter to Jan Thomas
Dear Jan,
Please resign.
Someone with your lack of understanding of the issues around free speech has no place
being the Vice-Chancellor of a New Zealand University.
It is unfortunate that you were ever appointed to such a position. Nevertheless it happened,
and you have now made some very bad calls and public pronouncements around the issue
of free speech. You have contributed to taking New Zealand society in potentially a very
dangerous direction.
In your retirement, you might like to educate yourself a little on the issue of free speech by
reading Nadine Strossen's recent (2018) book "Hate: Why we should resist it with free
speech, not censorship."
Regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Personal decision?
Good evening Professor Thomas

I have already expressed my opinion of your decision re Mr Brash in my email to James
Gardiner but I would like to reiterate that you are a disgrace to the University and should
either resign, be fired or try to make amends for your outrageous ruling. Even far left
progressive Ms Ardern has stated that your decision was extreme.
New Zealand is on a slippery slope with people like you trying to influence young minds.
Having seen you on the television news tonight, I gained the impression that your decision
was a personal one and not made with the safety of the faculty at the fore. New Zealand
has a very efficient police force; don't be afraid to call on them when you feel threatened.
I agree with Mr Seymour's opinion of you.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Please don"t let the bully boys win!
Dear Jan Thomas,
In response to the Don Brash affair, I would just like to note that when intimidation
succeeds in shutting people down, the bullies have already won.
The wisest response is not to negotiate with bullies, but to simply inform them and call the
police.
Btw, you might find this of interest. I believe it provides an excellent example of how
important it is for people to be allowed to have their (non edited) say. And in turn how
important it is to embrace and not fear other people's speech.
https://youtu.be/DzZyKsLj4ao
The New Zealand TV

Interview They Wouldn’t
Show You!
youtu.be
Donate Now:
http://www.freedomainradio.com/donate
Sign Up For Our Newsletter:
http://www.fdrurl.com/newsletter While on
the Australian portion of the S...
Please let's not signal that bullying can work.
Best wishes,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: Please Reconsider your assault on Free Speech
Dear Jan,
I urge you to immediately resign and issue a formal apology and retraction regarding your
illegal action in cancelling Dr Brash' speaking engagement at your university.
As the head of a government funded public institution it is your responsibility to uphold

the constitutional rights afforded to us, including the Bill of Rights. Your actions have
violated Dr Brash' rights to freedom of expression and your students rights of free inquiry
to hear what he has to stay.
Let me be clear, in New Zealand there is no such thing as 'hate speech'. Short of a direct
call to violence (which is close to what his detractors have promised) our democracy
almost absolutely protects free speech.
Universities should be bastions of freedom of enquiry of any domain, we cannot make

progress with
If the only speech you are willing to protect is that which you agree with, well then your
not an advocate of free speech at all!
It is very telling that you reference his association with the Free Speech Coalition
somehow negatively. Suddenly it seems being a free speech advocate has been tarred with
the hate speech brush. A very convenient tool of extremists to shut down any vaguely
dissenting opinions.
We cannot allow threats of violence from extremists to form a hecklers veto. Defending
free speech on our campuses must be protected at all costs. The cure for speech we don't
like should be better speech, and better arguements. Shutting down discourse doesn't make
unreasoned opinions go away, it drives them underground; the election of 'President'
Donald Trump being an excellent example.
Once again I urge you to reconsider this course of action.
Kind Regards,
Dunedin.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Please remove me from the roll of Massey Graduates
Dear Vice-Chancellor,
I read with absolute horror your comments on the Massey University website regarding Dr
Brash.
I’ll make this quick. I want to have no further association with such a fascist institution.
Being of jewish ancestry, and having close relatives dead due to the Nazis, I must stand
firm against the whiff of totalitarianism that Massey seems to embrace banning such
speakers.
Is there a way of striking me off your roll of graduates.
Yours faithfully,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Please resign, your stance is embarrassing to academic standards in this country.
Date: 8 August 2018 12:26:18 AM
Sent from my iPad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Please resign
And go back to Australia where all the racists live and you obviously belong.
Cheers
Sent from iPad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc: Massey University
Subject: Please Resign
Date: 8 August 2018 10:24:10 PM
I write to you as a Massey University Alumnus (B.Tech (Hons) 1999) and employer of a
number of Massey graduates.
I am dismayed by several of your recent comments against free speech which utterly
undermine the University's role in leading critical thinking. Your misguided comments
reflect so badly on Massey University that they devalue qualifications of past and future
graduates. I am frankly embarrassed to be associated with a University who's head
espouses the views that you choose to share.
Should you want clarification of views that I am referring to, I am more than happy explain
further, but with the widespread condemnation of them, I'm sure your are more than
aware.
Whilst you're welcome to personally hold the views that you do, I believe they are utterly
incompatible with the role of Vice Chancellor. I have been most unimpressed with the
explanations for them that I have read, and heard, from you.
Please do the right thing by the University and it's past, current and hopefully future
students, and restore some credibility by resigning your role.
Yours sincerely,
Director
__________________________
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: please reverse your Brash decision, more "free speech" coverage is intolerable!
Kia ora Jan,
I'm writing to ask you to please reverse the decision to prevent Don
Brash from speaking at Massey.
I do not believe there is a real threat to safety or reputation in his

speaking there even if many people choose to protest his presence.
His views are utterly dull and I wonder why anyone would bother inviting
him in the firts place but, as we heard when he was interviewed on RNZ
ealier in the year, the best way to refute him is to let him speak.
Perhaps wore than any damage to actual free speech is the fact that by
banning him you subject the entire nation to hours and hours of airtime
of deeply dull argument.
If you reverse your decision now, you'll nip the news cycle in the bud
and we will all be better off for it.
Nga mihi,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Political Correctness
Dear Ms Thomas
When I attended University we were taught the importance of critical thinking.
They have lost this ability in some Universities in the USA. as a small small minority are
'offended and upset' by those who posit views that do not accord with their own, and have
successfully prevented delivery of some lectures.
We in New Zealand have more backbone and the ability to make up our own minds on
issues.
I am therefore appalled at the cancellation of the presentation by Dr. Brash. I can only
speculate that you have some ulterior motive for this decision.
Yours sincerely
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Prevention of free speech
It is unfortunate that you and your facility have subscribed to the fallacy being propounded by the real
purveyors of hatred. The use of extreme claims such as “hate” to shut down any discussion is now
commonplace and the blame must lie solely on the doorsteps of the institutions such as yours.
Free speech is the ideological equivalent of technology wherein discussion must be had in order that progress
can be made.
The need to teach students to use their intellects to enquire and to question is one of the basic functions of a
university.
And you have failed your students!
Sent from my iPad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Questions in response to the news releases
Dear V.C. Thomas,
I am currently a student in the Bachelor of Communication programme at the Albany Campus.
I was doing research into news mediums for a media assignment when I came across the news
releases about the cancellation of Don Brash from speaking at a politics discussion in Palmerston
North.
From what I understand (both from the Massey news release and other releases), Don Brash was
scheduled to give a talk on his time in Parliament and not about anything related to Hobsons
Pledge. If this is the case, I am unsure as to why the event was cancelled.
I felt very conflicted after reading everything in the news and wanted to come to yourself for
clarification in the first instance.
Yours Sincerely,

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: radio interveiw
Hi Jan, I listened to you on the radio today and was shocked, I am just a blue collar worker but I
would have thought that an intellectual person like yourself would have more sense . I don’t
even like Don Brash, but everyone should be entitled to free speech in this country, Your
security concerns are a smokescreen. SHAME ON YOU
MAYBE when your looking in the mirror you will see THE HATER !!!!
Thanks

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re Cancellation of Don Brash Speach
I am appalled to hear that your excuse for a University, which should be a bastion of Democracy
and protector of Free Speech, has seen fit to cancel the proposed speech by Dr Brash based on
some spurious security concerns. If anywhere in New Zealand Dr Brash and others should be free
and able to express his opinions on a University Campus and “the Protesters” if violent should be
dealt with in accordance with the laws of New Zealand.
In the light of your action the value of any Degree or Diploma awarded to any graduate of
Massey from henceforth will be severely tarnished when considering what biased non
contestable opinions are being promoted at Massey let alone what those undergraduates will
be pressured to express to ensure they achieve acceptable grades
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re Don Brash cancellation
I’d like to express my disappointment that you have cancelled the speech on campus by Don Brash.
Universities should be one of the first places to encourage debate rather than shutting it down. While you
obviously have to take security concerns into consideration, you are setting the precedent that anybody in future
will be able to cancel any event they disapprove of by merely issuing a threat. Those who issue threats should
be dealt with by the legal system. We will be a free society as long as we accept that there will always be a
diversity of opinion and that allowing other opinions to be expressed is not dangerous in itself - rather, it allows
all views to be openly debated and challenged so that everybody can reach their own conclusions with as much
information as possible.
While people might think right now that they are doing a good and righteous thing by shutting down those
points of view that they find offensive, what they are actually doing is setting in place a rapid restriction on our
freedoms to associate and express dissenting opinion. Once we have lost such freedoms, it is very very hard to
get them back. When you cede power, those you give it to will not relinquish it lightly. Prevailing norms shift,
and those who are clamouring so hard right now to shut down other opinions will one day find themselves on
the flip side of their own argument - and then will realise that they have shut themselves down as much as they
once tried to do so to others.
Thank you,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re Don Brash speaking
Madam,
Such a ridiculous decision made by you, you are pandering to a violent minority’s left leaning ideology and so
called “Hate Speech”, hiding behind Health and Safety concerns citing this as the reason for banning Don Brash
speaking, so instead of cutting a voice of reason off at the pass and denying your students the ability to reason
on various opinions and subjects you are indeed doing them a disservice .
Why not bring the anonymous perpetrators out from behind their mask of the internet and report them for
threatening to breach the peace as that is the rot that has set in, but will you have the courage to do what is right,
probably not, oh don’t offend anyone, when did we all get so precious ???
There will be a serious non violent backlash to all this PC nonsense as the everyday Joe Bloggs wakes up from
their slumber.
You need to put this right, reinstate the debate and get on with Education as is your mandate.
Regards
Concerned New Zealander

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: re free speech
Dear Vice Chancellor Thomas

In regards to the cancellation of the Don Brash booking, if anyone threatens to stage a
violent protest against any speaker will you cancel the booking out of security concerns?
regards
--
You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re Freedom of Speech
Jan Thomas
Who in the hell do you think you are ! !

You are a public servant and have absolutely no ownership rights whatsoever the Massey
Campus
What gives you the right as to has speaking rights at the Campus ?
Get back to your overpaid day job and leave your Marxist politics at home !
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re No-Platforming Of Don Brash
Re No-Platforming Of Don Brash
Absolutely disgraceful.
Makes me think substantially less of Massey University.
This bitter, US partisan tactic has no place in New Zealand.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re your cancellation of Don Brash"s speaking engagement.
Date: 8 August 2018 10:09:38 AM
John Roughan, the Dialogue editor for the NZ Herald, wrote a commentary in
which he said that people who use the term “hate speech” are seeking to
shut the debate down.
That is what has happened at Massey and everybody with half a brain can
see that you don’t like Brash or his views.
But you acted as censor for the students, seeking to protect them from his
words.
You have obviously brought Massey University and the staff by association,
into public disrepute as an academic institution.
The right thing would be to tender your resignation to the Board and let
them decide.
A very sad day for New Zealand as a democracy.
Yours sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: re: Brash move!
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: RE: Don Brash
I was deeply disturbed at your decision to rescind Don Brash's invitation to give a talk at
Massey University.
As a University student we are taught to listen, debate and analyse all points of view. I
understand that Mr Brash may be seen as a polarising figure for some, but his right to free
speech and his right to be heard should never be taken away.
I fear your decision to revoke his invitation could set a dangerous precedent for other
tertiary organisations to not let all views be heard.
Universities must always stand with the right to free expression and never let fear
trump personal liberties.
Regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re: Don Brash
Hi Jan,
I'd like to voice my concern over the decision to prevent Don Brash from speaking at the
Manawatu Campus. Cancelling an event because it could lead to "violence and hate
speech" is a bit of a stretch don't you think? In a Country that is supposedly exercising Free
speech why would a speaker with Opposing views not be allowed to speak? In no way do I
agree with Don Brash's views however I am 100% in favor of a intellectual discussion.
Why not let the students ask questions and understand the views of Don Brash and allow
them to make there own opinion?
In no way do I agree with Don Brash's views, however I agree with allowing everyone to
voice there opinion on matters of politics. In my opinion, Massey University has
completely failed to allow the exercise of free speech.
Regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: RE: DR DON BRASH
I was dismayed to hear the news that you refused to allow Mr Brash speaking rights at Massey
University based on the possibility of a threat. I am a 62 year man yet when I was a 14 year old
school boy, I marched in the anti Vietnam war protests through Cathedral square in
Christchurch while being abused and spat at by those who refused to hear our voice. As a
university law student I also marched against the Springboks tour and received abuse, missile
attacks, heckling etc from hostile onlookers opposed to us. My flat mates girded themselves in
armour and took the full brunt of the red squad returning home bruised bloodied and battered
but look how much better the world is because people stepped up and stepped out in the
direct threat of violence. We have gone to war over freedom and my family members have died
protecting that right for you and others like Mr Brash.
You would be the bigger and better person to recant of your decision and allow Mr Brash to
speak at Massey and allow his views to be subjected to the cauldron of debate, we can only
learn from having open minds and that is what a university is all about. If this is the only letter
you receive in support of Mt Brash then I suggest its more than enough.
Yours sincerely.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re: Free Speech
Dear Jan,
If free speech and the wide exploration of ideas can't happen at university, where the heck can they happen?
NZ is a resilient country - I don't think our youth are sufficiently insular that they need protection from a wide
range of ideas and I would hope that they ask robust questions of any speaker that turns up on campus.
This is a retrograde step and I would urge you to reconsider this decision.
Kind regards.
From:
To:
Cc: ; Thomas, Jan; keith;
Subject: Re: Free Speech
Thanks for that I will have a read tonight when I get home from work
Get Outlook for iOS
From:
Sent: Thursday, August 9, 2018 8:22:23 AM
To:
Cc:
J.B.Thomas;
Don Brash,
I can not believe how many times your name has been in the headlines
lately which indicates to me you are attention seeking.
Shame on you Don Brash is all I can say...'free speech' seems like it
is only ok for the likes of you?
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re: Free speech
PS.
Your claim that you have cancelled this event because of safety concerns is nothing more
than an excuse. You are allowing the mere threat of violence from some faceless bigot to
control and restrict free speech, which is completely unacceptable. Taking this stand also
encourages threats of violence and may well lead to real violence.
On 7 August 2018 at 16:00, > wrote:

Dear Ms Thomas,
I am extremely disappointed regarding your decision to deny Dr Brash his right to free
speech. I thought that universities welcome the free exchange of ideas.
Claiming that you support free speech but oppose "hate speech" is specious and without
merit. Who is going to be the arbiter of what constitutes "hate speech"? Much of what
leftist people may be deemed hate speech by those on the right and vise versa, so are you
advocating that they refrain from speaking to each other?
This is no trivial matter, history clearly shows that despotism invariably begins with the
suppression of free speech and the censorship of ideas considered hateful.
As you are associated with a university which is supposed to challenge it's students with
confronting ideas and to encourage open debate, I would suggest that you should resign
your position because of your opposition to these basic principles.
Regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re: The Project TV3
Also, if you could please give me an emergency contact number for Jan, that would be
fantastic. Cheers!
On 7 August 2018 at 13:03, > wrote:

Hi again -
Just confirming the Vice Chancellor for an interview this evening with The Project.
Address for the feed-point in Palmerston North is Level 3,
The camera operator will be and he will be there ready to go

at 5pm.
Any issues this afternoon, give the segment producer a call - 0
Thanks again,
On 7 August 2018 at 10:08, G

wrote:
Hi there -
here from The Project on TV3.
We were hoping the Vice Chancellor would be available to come on our show this
evening, to talk about the decision to not allow Don Brash to speak at the university.
Let me know if this is at all possible. Thanks in advance.
--
--
--
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The information contained in this message and/or attachments is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and
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action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in
error, please contact the sender, and delete the material from any system and destroy any copies.
Thank you.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Regarding decision to ban Don Brash
Hi Jan,
I am disappointed to read today that you have made the decision to ban Don Brash from speaking on
campus at Turitea.
This sets a dangerous precedent of stifling open and spirited conversation at Massey and it is a mistake
to assume that students need protecting from certain ideas.
By taking this action you play straight into the hands of those with views more extreme than the ones
that Mr Brash holds.
I hope you will reconsider your position on this.
Massey Alum ‘06-‘09

From:
Cc: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Removal of contact details
Date: 7 August 2018 11:06:56 PM
Sir / Madam,
I believe the recent action taken by the University Vice Chancellor to

erode free speech rights on the university campus is contrary to the
principles by which the University should operate and therefore
completely unacceptable.
I am a Massey Alumnus and have been an occasional financial supporter of

the University. My small voice of protest against the Vice Chancellors
action is to request that you remove this email address and my physical
address details from all of your contacts databases and do not attempt
to contact me by either means again, other than to confirm the requested
action has been taken.
Many thanks
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Request for information under the OIA
Dear Prof Thomas,
This is a request for information under the Official Information Act.
Please provide all emails sent to you since 1pm Tuesday concerning your decision to cancel
the Don Brash event scheduled for yesterday.
.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan;
Subject: Request under the Official Information Act 1982
Date: 9 August 2018 11:32:04 AM
Dear Ms Thomas,
Please consider this e-mail to be a request under the Official Information Act 1982.
I request as follows:
1. Copies of all of your text message communications over the last three months regarding
any matter relating to Dr Don Brash, the event that Dr Brash was to speak at, anything
relating to information you received about the security situation, your views on the event,
or any information that you received.
2. Copies of all of your e-mail communications over the last three months regarding any matter relating to Dr
Don Brash, the event that Dr Brash was to speak at, anything relating to information you received about the
security situation, your views on the event, or any information that you received.
3. Copies of all of your physical or written communications over the last three months regarding any matter
relating to Dr Don Brash, the event that Dr Brash was to speak at, anything relating to information you received
about the security situation, your views on the event, or any information that you received.
4. Any other document held by the University regarding the event that Dr Brash was to speak at.
5. A list of all international travel that you have conducted over the last two years,
including copies of all expense receipts and costs of each trip. Further, please provide your
full itinerary, and details of any variations to that itinerary of those international trips.
Please provide details of any research funding you have received for any research you are
involved with, including copies of the funding agreements and any obligations you are
under having received that funding.
6. Copies of all of your expense reports over the last twelve months, including copies of all
invoices.
7. Please confirm how you learned about the proposed talk by Dr Brash and what
information was provided to you on the subject.
8. Please provide a list of all former and current politicians who have spoken at any
location of the University, or have been invited to speak at the University of the last two
years.
9. Please provide details of any proposed guest speaker to the University that has been
blocked by the University on any grounds.
10. Please provide details of any event that you have attended over the last year where the
concept of "hate speech" has been discussed.
11. Please provide all e-mail messages, whether you are the author or where you have
received the e-mail, where the term " hate speech" is contained.
You are on notice that information that you hold on your mobile phone is subject to the
Public Records Act 2005. You mobile phone is publicly funded and property of the
University. The material contained on the device is subject to the Official Information Act
1982, and we expect that you comply fully with the requests in this e-mail.
I also note that public policy considerations for the release of information are likely to
outweigh any grounds for release. Public policy considerations undoubtedly include
considerations under s. 14 of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.
You are also on notice that delaying the release of information to time against a news cycle
is not acceptable grounds under the Official Information Act 1982.
I look forward to your comprehensive disclosure of the information requested.
Sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Resign over your decision
Jan Thomas,
What an absolutely disgraceful decision you have made in banning free
speech on Campus. Are you the result of affirmative action? How on earth
did you get promoted to a point that you can have such a negative
influence over young minds in NZ? Your gutless, cowardly, craven,
useless excuses are pathetic.
You should immediately resign your position, in the hopes that someone
better qualified, and open to the ideals of free speech, can try and fix
your mistakes.
There is nothing you can say that can justify banning free speech.
For shame.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan;
Subject: Resign!!
To the Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas,

You are pandering to the "PC" mob.
Universities are supposed to be areas of free speech / discussion, you have betrayed that tradition - Resign.
You should be getting extra security to control the terrorists of the "Left", not giving in to blackmail.
John Brash has more moral fortitude than you.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Resign
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Resign
Resign
Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive,
and impart information and opinions of any kind in any form - NZ Bill of Rights
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: Reverse your anti-free speech decision
Jan
Your actions to ban the Hobson's Pledge Coalition from speaking at Massey University are
an absolute disgrace to the institution you serve, and to society in general.
Universities are a bastion for free ideas and free speech. Your actions have sent a clear
signal that at Massey University, only the "correct" views are allowed to be shared and
debated - and that you are the arbiter of what is a good or bad idea.
As someone who has taken an extramural paper at Massey University, I'm embarrassed
and highly regretful I ever selected Massey University.
As a former fees paying student, I request you reverse your decision and allow free speech
at Massey University.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Right to free speech
Open letter to Ms Jan Thomas.
Dear Ms Thomas,
Your obscene action of shutting down Mr Brash's right to free speech on a University
campus is tantamount to you positioning yourself as a dictatorial fascist.
You are a disgrace to the University, and I trust that your position on this matter is a
concern to all persons whom believe we live in a democratic country.
Yours sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Security Threat or Groupthink?
Date: 8 August 2018 11:48:43 AM
Dear Ms. Thomas,
If the security threat was real then this is a Police matter. The person making the threat
needs to be investigated for the safety of all students whether you believe Don Brash
should be silenced or not. What steps have you taken to assure that the lunatic who
threatened violence is not allowed to continue threatening the lives of peacekeeping
students? I think the students have a right to know if they are safe today, don't you?
Or was the security threat not real and did you just use it as an excuse to advance the day
of Orwell's Groupthink?
Yours Sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Selective banning of speakers at a publicly funded university
Date: 7 August 2018 10:10:17 PM
As a former student and graduate if Massey I am ashamed to be associated with the university. Selectively
banning speakers because they do not fit with the ideology of some who attend is against the notion of freedom
of thought and freedom of speech. The reasons given for cancelling Dr Brash’s speech reflect more an
underlying issue with the governance of Massey University (if you have fears about security and therefore
imply that you cannot control students on campus) and personal opinion rather that the ideology of debate and
free sharing of thought that should be prevalent in such an environment. Prior to attending Massey I gained my
primary degree from Auckland University and I am old enough to remember the days when Tim Shadbolt was
there and freedom of speech reigned. Thanks to him, there’s even a Speakers Corner in Albert Park, where
students and others massed. Healthy and open debate, rather than selective, subjective censorship helps
countries, schools and universities to flourish. Narrow and closed thinking such as that shown by you is
repressive, plants fear in the minds of students who might not share your opinion, and leads to an unwillingness
on their part to express their views for fear of being shut out or even not being able to complete their studies.
This is not an appropriate environment for a public university to create.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Shame on you
What an incredibly cowardly thing to have done.
You're not upholding the university's charter because of your political biases. You should resign
immediately. You have no place in a university.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: shamefully inappropriate.
Your partisan stance on the issue of free speech is unacceptable given that
you are supposed to represent a intellectual setting where free speech and
expression is an academic essential.
Don Brash called your outrageous action of cancellation of his speech
'Orwellian'and the Prime minister summarized this as an 'over reaction.
I WOULD CALL your near sighted and stupid decision an over kneejerking and
the Orwellian comparison an underestimation.
It is more comparable TO neo Stalinism. You have severely damaged Massey's
international reputation. I was proud to display my Batchelor of Ed
TEACHING 0-8 Diploma on my wall. I know longer feel that I wish to be
connected to Masse, Y?
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Shocked Am I living in NK?
Dear Jan
Just informing you of my disappointment at hearing the authoritarian approach towards banning
Don Brash speaking at an event at Massey that the students organised and invited him to speak
at.
Speech, banned from a state funded University?
Looked over Dr Brash’s speech notes, couldn’t see anything hate speech. (What ever that
definition is..?)
I heard you say there had been threats of guns and aggression on social media, yet your local
Police Officer and Security had no concerns with event going ahead?
Funny isn’t it.
Sure hope you made a statement to the police so these threats of violence can be investigated
and prosecuted. We must never let thugs get their own way.
Don Brash has been the leader of two political parties, Reserve Bank Governor and now part of
the Free Speech coalition.
You probably don’t like what he has to say on some topics, but some of your students will, it’s
not up to you to decide what’s good for them.
What an amazing opportunity you’ve taken from these students, not to mention that it appears
that Dr Brash could be bothered, he would have every right to take you to court.
You’ve truly gone what appears to be a step too far.
I believe at the very least, you owe Dr Brash an apology. Furthermore - You owe your politics
students an apology.
Shocked, concerned, dismayed.

Yours
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Shutting down free speech - Don Brash
Ms Thomas
I heard your radio interview today (Newstalk ZB) in which you attempted to explain your
recent decision to shut down an event at Massey University. You failed in all aspects of
your argument.
Your stance is an embarrassment to everything a University stands for and to the Alumni.
I am embarrassed to see what has become of Massey University and the stance you have
taken on this matter.
You devalue all that have studied there with your views.
.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Speech by Don Brash
Dear Professor Jan Thomas
I would like to voice my concern regarding your decision to un-invite Mr Brash to your campus.
Kind regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Speech by Dr Brash
Date: 7 August 2018 11:24:29 PM
I call on you to reserve your decision and allow Dr Brash to speak on your campus. If you are unable to do this
you must immediately resign. Free speech must be maintain in New Zealand, particularly in academic
institutions..
Kind regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Speech Cancellation - Unacceptable
Importance: High

I am astounded that a University in New Zealand, under your direction,
can cave in to some petty thug/bully’s vociferous actions,
to shut down a lecture by a guest Speaker.
This is appalling.
If a University wont allow the free exchange of ideas, because of ‘security’ issues,
then the Police need to be alerted to do their job.
How dare the University be blackmailed through threats.
Whats next?… A grumpy student threatening a Political Science lecturer,

because he doesn’t agree with the content?…
and the Political Science Course gets cancelled due to security concerns?
As a double Graduate, I feel very strongly that you urgently reverse your position.
Sincerely
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Speech
Attachments: 118080716275501855.png

I have been asked by one Don Brasch to express the strength of my feeling about the
purported right of anyone to say what they like in publicly owned venues.
I endorse your decision.
Dave Cull
Sent from my iPad
If this message is not intended for you please delete it and notify us immediately; you are warned that any further use,
dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this material by you is prohibited..
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Student Club Talk Cancelled.
Hi Jan,
Please, for the sake of cherished FREE SPEECH reconsider your view on what constitutes HATE
SPEECH.
At the very least may I ask you to broaden your width and depth of reading to help you take a
more balanced view.
As a child growing up in New Zealand, I remember a saying we used. "Sticks and stones may
break my bones but names will never hurt me".
We really have become too precious.
There is a Tsunami of opinion opposed to Political Correctness that has been awoken and it is
just over the horizon, heading our way. Are you prepared?
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Student Club
Professor Thomas,
Like many reasonable, thinking New Zealanders I am appalled at your decision to ban Don
Brash from speaking at Massey University.
Clearly it was perfectly acceptable to you when the booking was made months ago, yet now you wri…
“concerns around security after becoming aware of social media posts suggesting the event could
lead to violence.” And there’s a risk some people might have their feelings hurt.
So now all it takes to shut down free speech is a few spineless threats on social media, the home of s…
intolerant and usually foul-mouthed individuals.
This is just another dreadful example of the hecklers veto, and it’s completely unacceptable.
In fact it’s disgraceful.
Sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Stupidity in the extreme.
How does one become the vice chancellor of a university and be so incredibly stupid ?.
What part of free speech do you not understand ?. At the very least if you believe so
strongly on principle, then resign your position and let Mr Brash speak.
Auck.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Suppression of Free Speech
Good Morning,
I am writing to you as both a student at Massey University and a citizen of New Zealand,
to inform you that I am appalled at your actions in barring Dr. Don Brash from speaking
on Campus.
Whether we agree with what he says, or whether we find it distasteful is irrelevant, the role
of a University is to foster debate between many and varied opinions in order to form the
most informed opinion we can. By denying Dr. Brash his right to speak (which is exactly
what you have done by barring him) is to diminish the possibility of debate.
Your argument that the speech was shut down due to "security" concerns doesn't stand
well with me, if as you say a threat was made then the correct course of action would be to
contact the Police and if they deemed necessary then they would provide security.
Freedom of speech is the freedom to offend, and while we may not like being offended we
must remember that this right is one of our most valued and as Evelyn Hall wrote: "I
disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
Sadly I see our fair country starting down a dark road where a vocal, violent minority will
dictate to us what they believe is acceptable. This "heckler's veto" is what happened last week
with Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux, and it's happening now with Dr. Brash. Who gets
banned next?
I would appreciate a response to my concerns either from yourself or from the University.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Thank you for taking a stand
Dear Ms Thomas
I am just writing to express my support for you taking a stand against hate
speech in this country.
You have shown yourself to be more of a leader than many of those who sit in
our parliament.
Kind regards
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From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Thank you for your hypocrisy
It is with deep disappointment, but without surprise, that I’ve learned of your hypocrisy in
refusing to allow an advocate of free speech and equality of races to speak at your taxpayer
funded university.
There was a time when Massey was a College, not having attained the appropriate standard
for accreditation as a University. It would seem that a reversion would be in order.
I have to hope that your tenure is short-lived, and that your replacement will be some-one of
integrity, committed to truth, justice and virtue.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Thank you from
Date: 8 August 2018 11:44:17 AM
Kia Ora Dr Thomas,
Thank you for your decision to ban Dr Brash from your campus. The response has been to wake
up more ordinary kiwis to the leftist nonsense including an agenda against free speech. My
fervent hope is for this to continue, I view free speech as vital for NZs future development. And
with respect cant believe Im opposed by someone like yourself with high academic credentials.
My daughter went to Otago U, but if my kids were still looking at Uni your decision would make
me advise against your campus.
I agree with all the responses that David Farrar has suggested to your ban, that’s just to be
expected that your stance will incur pushback.
Im just an average guy, drive a truck, value Kiwi values (my parents were refugees to NZ from
Europe in 1951).
Kind regards,

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Thank you!
Tena koe Ms Thomas.
Quick email to say 'Thank you' for your brave decision this week regarding the planned
speaking event for Mr Don Brash. I am sorry for the backlash that you have been subject to.
Leadership always comes at a cost when you have to make the hard calls.
As the I am very aware of students who are sensitive to

marginalisation and find Mr Brash insensitive to their ethnicity and cultural background.
My understanding is that MUSA Clubs have a duty of care to uphold the values and promises
of Te Tiriti-o-Waitangi. Don Brash is unapologetically dismissive of tangata whenua and the
spirit of The Treaty.
In my personal experience having spoken with Don in the past (the first of which was when he
was leader of the Nats and I voted for him!) he will not shy away from his pro-British insistence
of a monoculture at the disregard for Maori concerns or values.
I saw this in evidence this year when he and his Hobson's Pledge stood around the statute of
chief Te Peeti Te Awe Awe in The Square in Palmerston, and hindered my Maori friends and I
approaching the statute for a moment of prayer and reflection. No hard feelings towards him,
but his actions that day were disrespectful.
I believe you made the correct decision. Again, as the I know

that others were intending on turning up to show their disapproval of Mr Brash’s views. I
myself would have personally confronted him asking him to leave.
I pray for your peace of mind and heart. I would like to buy you coffee some time (or maybe I
could bring along something stronger from the liquor cabinet!)
Nga mihi
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Thank you
On behalf of most of us here in Hamilton, I write to thank you for helping the University of Waikato avoid
being continually lambasted as the home of political correctness.
Many of us are deeply embarrassed by the rubbish that comes from our joke university, but we’re heartened by
your fifth-rate institution's efforts to one day assume the mantle of worst university in New Zealand, if that
didn't just happen.
I’ve heard it said many times that Massey isn’t a real university—offering degrees in airline hostessing and
other nonsense—but now that its general manager is one step away from burning books, I guess the rumours
must be true.
All the best for your continued efforts virtue signalling to other academic elites, and your isolated community’s
risible hatred of the high standards set by western civilisation.
Fortunately, I suspect academic elites of your ilk won't enjoy the same success they had in early-20th century
Germany and Russia, where they also banned speech they didn’t like. After hundreds of years of freedom from
authoritarian government, there are too many good people who know what a dictator looks like, and today in
New Zealand those people are looking at you.
Yours faithfully,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Thank you
On behalf of most of us here in Hamilton, I write to thank you for helping the University of Waikato avoid
being continually lambasted as the home of political correctness.
Many of us are deeply embarrassed by the rubbish that comes from our joke university, but we’re heartened by
your fifth-rate institution's efforts to one day assume the mantle of worst university in New Zealand, if that
didn't just happen.
I’ve heard it said many times that Massey isn’t a real university—offering degrees in airline hostessing and
other nonsense—but now that its general manager is one step away from burning books, I guess the rumours
must be true.
All the best for your continued efforts virtue signalling to other academic elites, and your isolated community’s
risible hatred of the high standards set by western civilisation.
Fortunately, I suspect academic elites of your ilk won't enjoy the same success they had in early-20th century
Germany and Russia, where they also banned speech they didn’t like. After hundreds of years of freedom from
authoritarian government, there are too many good people who know what a dictator looks like, and today in
New Zealand those people are looking at you.
Yours faithfully,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: The Banning of Don Brash.
To: Jan Thomas.
You have disgraced both yourself as a scholar and Massey University as an institution of higher
learning.
Shame on you.
.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: The cancellation of Don Brash
Madam,
By your actions you have endorsed mob rule! Your lack of moral fibre and your decision to hide behind an
excuse of public safety is nothing but ingenious and cowardly. You have shown the world that your university
does not allow the discussion of ideas that may be contentious and were I an employer I would question the
ability of any of your graduates to work or think critically or handle the rough and tumble of normal life.
You have obviously been living in an academic bubble for far too long. I suggest that you resign immediately,
get a proper job in the wider world, and get acquainted with life!
Your succumbing to thuggery does you no justice.
Sincerely,
Sent from my iPad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: The Don Brash decision did nothing to strengthen freedom of speech
Date: 7 August 2018 10:12:22 PM
Dear Ms Thomas
As an alumni of Massey University, and an educator myself, I was disappointed to learn of
your decision to cancel Don Brash's speech to the Politics Society. Universities have
traditionally been places where an extremely wide spectrum of ideas could be explored
and debated. From my own university days I can recall Dun Mihaka speaking on campus
and acting at times, in the most outrageous manner. And yet, I believe that it was
important that he was given the latitude to do so, in the name of free speech.
Rather than take offense at what Dun had to say (or the manner in which he said it), I
welcomed the opportunity to listen and learn about alternative ideas, and to have my own
worldview challenged. While I rarely agreed with him, Dun taught me the importance of
having the courage to stand up for what you believe in, and being willing to engage in
debate over issues that are important to you.
It is such a shame that universities are losing the appetite for debate and the open,
unhindered exploration of ideas. Not only does it inhibit the university experience for our
young people, it reinforces in their minds the need to conform to the predominant
attitude of the day, rather than having the courage to challenge the status quo. Censorship
rarely helps the world become a better place.
Yours truly
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: The Don
Silly little girl.....no further comment, mam
Sent from my iPad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: The fire brigade need to come and put out your Pants.
Intellectual Dishonesty.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: The Strangulation of Free Speech in Our Universities
Vice-Chancellor
Your craven capitulation to those others who would stifle free speech in our universities is beneath contempt.
Cordially
Auckland
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: This speech by Don Brash
Dear Ms Thomas,
Your stance on Don Brash’s speech strikes at the heart of democracy. You have given a
free pass to those who threaten violence to censor free speech whenever they like simply
by threatening violence..
You should have reported them to the police.
What has happened to “I disagree with what you say and I defend your right to say it”:
this is at the heart of democracy.
Your stance has no place in an academic institution. I suggest that you consider resigning.
Kind regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Thugs Veto
Shame on you for closing down free speech on your campus by caving in to the threats of
violence from an extreme minority.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Time to go
After your atrocious actions today, own what you have done and resign.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Time to resign,
89% of New Zealand don’t agree with you

Delete me, my opinion.
Free speech,
Not hate.
Sent from my iPhone
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Time to resign. You are part of the problem.
"Universities exist to promote robust debate, educate, and search for the truth. They
do not exist to coddle students and protect them from views they might disagree
with," he said.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12102601
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From:
To: Thomas, Jan; J.B.Thomas@massey.co.nz
Subject: To a most despicable creature
Date: 7 August 2018 11:31:29 PM
Are you trying to drag all the students down to your own narrow-minded, bigoted and
unintelligent mindset? Intolerant enemies of free speech like you are the worst scumbags
in society. Since you hate our free society so much might I suggest that you emigrate to
North Korea. That would be a huge positive for New Zealand and its future.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Undo your decision, you stupid woman!
Date: 8 August 2018 11:29:58 PM
From:
Cc: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Unsubscribe
I cannot believe the cowardly way you have handled the Don Brash affair.
I am embarrassed to call Massey my Alma Mater.
Please unsubscribe me from your mailing list.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Upholding the right to Free Speech and providing a platform for debate
I wish to express my disappoint and concern about your decision to cancel Don Brash’s
speaking engagement this week.
You have provided three reasons for cancelling the event: a perceived security threat, the
nature of Dr Brash’s speech bordering on hate speech, and incompatibility with the Treaty
of Waitangi.
Regarding the first, if a person or a group is threatening violence against university

property or anyone on campus, then surely the proper course of action is to issue a trespass
notice and prosecute if necessary. If this were the policy of the university and other
publicly funded speaking platforms then those who are making themselves out to be a
security threat would rethink their approach to tackling speech they do not like, and the
phenomenon of the thug’s vote, which is taking hold in this country precisely because of
decisions like yours, would be nipped in the bud. By caving in to threats you
have emboldened those who would make them.
As for your claim that Dr Brash engages in hate speech or something approaching it,
your assessment highlights why the modern concept of hate speech is flawed. An essential
component of hate speech, if the concept is to mean anything, is that ill-will is being
harbored and expressed towards another. If there is no actual hate then hate-speech is a
misnomer. Dr Brash has never expressed the sentiment of hate as far as I am aware. Sure,
he has ideas that you and others might not agree with and which challenge your own
ideas, but that is quite a different thing to engaging in hate speech as the term was
originally coined. The only hate speech I am seeing is that coming from some
of the people who are against Dr Brash and others speaking because they do not like what
is being said.
The real problem is that the modern notion of hate speech is an anti-concept, the purpose
of which is to deny the right to free speech by giving panderers to the politically correct
the power to stop ideas from being advanced that make them uncomfortable or challenge
their own ideas. It is the responsibility of a university not to shut down debate
but to provide a sanctuary where ideas can be explored.
Lastly, I vehemently disagree with and condemn any interpretation of the Treaty of
Waitangi that translates to the idea that the free exchange of ideas should be curtailed or
censored in any way under the law. That is not a right that can ever be signed away. The
Bill of Rights recognizes the inalienable right to impart ideas of any kind. What the Bill
doesn't recognize but should is that that right is underpinned by property rights. It is only
by means of property rights that rights can be implemented effectually and compossibly.
The alternative is a chaos of clashing views all claiming their "right" to be heard or
satisfied. No one has the right to be provided with a platform, and it is for that reason I
support your property right as administrator of Massey University to be ultimate decision
maker on the matter.
I have written in the hope that you will reflect and come to a different conclusion the next
time you are faced with a similar set of circumstances. Your actions have far-reaching
consequences for the future of this country and the legitimate rights of those of us who live
here peacefully, dissenting views notwithstanding.
Sincerely,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Urgent reconsideration
I’m neither right wing nor a radical - I do however mourn your decision to cancel the
speaking of our former Governor of the Reserve Bank and ACT party leader and MP, Don
Brash.
For the sake of free speech let ideas and thought be heard. Barring Dr Brash from speaking
on these grounds is a dangerous step towards the erosion of a right many of us take for
granted.
Please have courage in the intellect of your students to engage with intellectual debate and
make up their own mind about what they are too fragile to hear.
Dr. Brash’s freedom of speech might be barred today, mine or yours tomorrow.
Regards,
--
Sent from Gmail Mobile
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Video
Please take the time to watch this video of the hateful Southern and Molyneux.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Violation of Dr Don Brash"s free speech
Date: 9 August 2018 10:20:18 AM
Dear Prof Thomas,
I’m sure this is not the first email you have received on this so I’ll keep it brief. Your actions were a
disgrace and contrary to everything a University is meant to stand for.
In addition, I’m a Massey University graduate and I want nothing more to do with your institution.
Accordingly I am requesting that under the provisions of the Privacy Act, Massey University deletes all
private information it holds about me without delay. I know it does hold personal information about
me because I receive correspondence from time to time.
Please confirm this request has been actioned.
Yours sincerely,
From: Donald
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: What are you really afraid of ? Honesty ?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/106049564684/permalink/10155965658439685/
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: When are you going to LISTEN?

Still no word of apology from you. I’d like to know, is Karl Pearce your chief advisor? Your mentor?
There’s only ONE honourable thing for you to do, and that is RESIGN.
But I suspect you won’t. And that would be typical of your ilk. You used the mythical “guns” fantasy to shoot
yourself in the foot.
Yours
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Why free speech
Jan,
I am very disappointed at the decision to cancel Don Brash's talk tomorrow.
I will take this opportunity to explain why free speech is so important.
Let me start by making very distinct the difference between the expression of an idea and the acceptance of an
idea. I very much want my fellow people to reject some ideas. But I have no intention of denying anyone the
right to express bad ideas in the first place. But why? Why should I not just supress them?
Supression will not be effective, it will only give the opposition legitimate ammunition to use against you.
It also has a Streisand effect. People are going to go look at what was supressed out of curiousity. More and
more people will now be turning to Hobson's Choice to see what it is all about.
The proper response is to express counter-ideas.
The reason I want the ideas to be on the table is so that I can counter misbegotten conclusions with rigorous
argument and well researched facts that refute the claims being made. We cannot make counter-argument if the
argument itself cannot be voiced. And if there is no publicly available counter-argument for people to find and
learn from, then people considering views we disagree with will hear no opposing point of view, and easily slip
into harmful systems of belief.
It is especially important that people are allowed to discuss politically divisive topics. The ability to express our
opinion and speak freely is essential to bring about change in society. Without it, if we can only talk about what
is currently accepted, we can never change, never move in any direction, we can only think more and more
narrowly until eventually we find that we are living under a totalitarian regime with a single politically correct
way of thinking, as depicted by George Orwell in his seminal work "1984".
If police and security are not adequate to the situation, then you are admitting that civil society has already
broken down, that lawful activity cannot be protected, that we are living in a country ruled by thugs, ruled by
terrorists. If you are truly admiting that, people may actually start to behave that way.
I strongly urge you to reconsider.

From:
To:
Cc: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Withdrawal from Massey support
Dear
Please remove my name from the Foundation's contact list and from the alumni contact
list. (I am not a graduate, so I am on the alumni list only as a courtesy.)
As you know, I began to support the Foundation through payroll deduction as soon as it
was introduced, and have continued to donate to Massey since my retirement. However,
the recent statements by the Vice-Chancellor make it clear that in her view there are
certain positions which Massey endorses as a matter of organisational policy, and that
questioning of those positions is to be shut down with epithets such as "hate speech". The
nuanced and difficult balance required of a Tiriti-based organisation with the mission of a
university to advance knowledge through the open contest of ideas has been decisively
resolved, at least for now. A Vice-Chancellor of another NZ university once said "I don't
agree with him, but he is entitled to his opinion", but at Massey the current position is that
"Error has no rights", and Professor Thomas is to be the judge of error.
Massey continues to be an institution engaged in teaching and research, but is no longer

what I understand by the term "university", and therefore not an institution that I wish to
continue supporting.
Regards
--
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: You have my total support
Tēnā koē, Vicē-Chāncēllor Thomās ānd grēētings to thē govērning Boārd of

Māssēy Univērsity.
Dēār Vicē-Chāncēllor Thomās,
Your dēcision on Hēālth ānd Sāfēty grounds to cāncēl thē Brāsh spēēch wās
in my viēw thē corrēct onē, ānd I thānk you for upholding thē sāfēty of
studēnts, stāff, ānd thē public on cāmpus. You ārē doing ān āwēsomē job,
ānd I commēnd you for this, ānd ālso commēnd you to thē govērning Boārd
of Māssēy Univērsity in this lēttēr.
In māking your dēcision to bān ān ēvēnt thāt māy possibly hāvē includēd ā
rāciālly-biāsēd spēēch, ān ēvēnt thāt hās āttāchēd Hēālth ānd Sāfēty
concērns for thosē āttēnding ān opēn forum, you hāvē uphēld both
profēssionāl obligātions to govērnmēnt stātutē ānd ēxērcisēd ācutē
profēssionāl judgēmēnt in ā prēssurēd momēnt of dēcision-māking.
This lēttēr is not just ā lēttēr of support for you pērsonālly, ānd your stānd
this wēēk, but I ālso āsk thāt this is pāssēd on to thē Boārd ānd tāblēd in
committēē.
As you know full wēll, wē ārē in thē midst of ā bāttlē to dēfinē truth for our
timē, ānd profēssionāl lēādērship in thē ācādēmic ārēnā is in thē cross-hāirs
in this dēbātē. This is ān issuē worldwidē ānd in āll univērsitiēs. Whāt is
ācādēmic is politicāl. In this rēgārd, Primē Ministēr Ardērn's stātēmēnt thāt
your dēcision wās ān "ovērrēāction" is in itsēlf tritē; Ms. Ardērn is not in thē
position you ārē in in dēāling with ā budgēt ānd thē cost of ēxtrā sēcurity for
ān ēvēnt in ā cāsh-strāppēd univērsity ēnvironmēnt, ānd bālāncing
profēssionāl obligātions undēr thē Hēālth ānd Sāfēty Act. MP Sēymour's
commēnts ārē disturbing to sāy thē lēāst. Your āctions wērē wēll-informēd
ānd bālāncēd in thē circumstāncēs. Thērē wās no ovērrēāction on your pārt.
Thē spācēs of dēbātē nēēd to bē sēcurē ānd sāfē.
This issuē of frēē spēēch is vēry clēār, ānd no-onē is āblē to sāy whātēvēr
thēy wānt in thē public domāin. Frēēdom is dēfinēd by un-frēēdom - ānd
bordērs. Nēws outlēts hāvē this wēēk bēlātēdly bānnēd right-ālt spēēch in
trāditionāl ānd sociāl mēdiā outlēts worldwidē. Thē āuthority for lifē ānd
living in Aotēāroā, NZ, comēs from thē Trēāty of Wāitāngi, ānd thē
pārtnērship it sēts out, ānd not just from pārliāmēnt lēgislātion undēr thē
Humān Rights Act, ānd you ārē upholding both thē lāw ānd thē vāluēs of
inclusion ānd Tikāngā Māori ēxtrēmēly wēll, ālthough in rēcēnt timēs your
support for ā Māori Univērsity should ālso hāvē bēēn ān āction tākēn ās
Vicē-Chāncēllor.
In āddition, thē contēnt of Mr. Brāsh's spēēchēs āround thē country hās
bēēn uniformly ānti-Māori ānd divisivē for ā long timē now, ānd thēy hāvē
provēn offēnsivē to both Māori ānd Pākēhā ālikē. Wē know thāt whāt hē
sāys is āgāinst thē historicāl, lēgāl, ānd politicāl rēcord, ānd I find his viēws
offēnsivē.
I ālso considēr it ā politicāl ploy for Brāsh to hāvē hāndēd his spēēch-notēs
to thē mēdiā āftēr thē fāct, ānd clāimēd thāt hē wās only going to spēāk
ābout his timē ās ā govērnmēnt ānd politicāl lēādēr; thē ploy is to pāint
himsēlf in this unfolding drāmā in thē rolē of thē whitē, mālē victim who is
injurēd, innocēnt ānd dēniēd frēē spēēch, this much likē thē ālt-right Tommy
Robinson in thē UK. Likē Aucklānd City Council vēnuēs, Māssēy Univērsity is
public spācē undēr govērnāncē thāt must uphold thē Humān Rights Act.
Brāsh hās bēēn ānything but innocēnt in his ānti-Māori spēēchēs thāt
contāin fābricātēd idēās thāt undērminē thē Trēāty of Wāitāngi ānd cāusē
division in this country. God only knows whāt hē might hāvē sāid bēyond his
notēs in pērhāps rēpēāting thē sāmē historicāl ināccurāciēs to
fāculty, studēnt body, ānd public āttēndēēs; ānd morē importāntly, whāt
would hāvē bēēn thē rēāction ānd rēsponsē of thosē listēning to such
offēnsivē ānd hurtful lānguāgē, ānd to onē ānothēr.
Thē fācts of history ārē not in disputē, ānd Climātē Chāngē Dēniērs,
Holocāust Dēniērs, ānd Trēāty of Wāitāngi Dēniērs ārē cut from thē sāmē
cloth. This polārizātion will continuē for thē forēsēēāblē futurē, ānd ās Vicē-
Chāncēllor you hāvē bēēn cārēful to protēct pēoplē ānd propērty from
potēntiāl fāllout.
Good job ānd grēāt judgēmēnt, Vicē-Chāncēllor Thomās!
Ngā mihi nui ānd kiā kāhā,

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Your actions surrounding Don Brash contradict exactly what University should be about
Dear Jan
I came to Massey university to be exposed to new ideas and views. The position that you
taken has been to actively censor what views you believe me and my peers should be
allowed to hear. I believe this contradicts the purpose of University in our society.
I disagree with Don Brash's views on just about everything. But how can anyone challenge
his arguments, and his followers who share them, if we choose to ignore them entirely.
I want my own views to be questioned so they can refined, improved, and in some cases,
changed altogether. If I don't do that then those views are worth nothing in the first place.
Please reconsider what you believe a university should be. Because right now you are
facilitating groupthink instead of trusting your own students critical thinking.
Regards,
--
.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Your disgraceful decision
Jan,
Your decision to cancel the Don Brash talk is a betrayal of the freedoms
which people have struggled so hard to develop in the West for so
many decades. By allowing a threat of violence to override the rights of
people to engage in lawful speech, you are emboldening those people
who are acting exactly like the thugs of Hitler, Mao and Stalin. I did not
emigrate to New Zealand to see this happen.
There is a message that is crucial for young people to learn at an early

age. This is that, if society is to advance, a person must learn to
confront ideas they either do not agree with or feel uncomfortable
hearing and that they do not have the option to simply use violence or
the threat of it to suppress those ideas from even being discussed. If
the latter is allowed to become normalised and acceptable in the minds
of students, our society will regress and stagnate, both politically and in
the level of democratic freedoms we hold.
You should be reinforcing the crucial message that political debate is

essential to a society that wishes to test hypotheses about how we can
best live in this world and interact with others. In this respect, you have
failed badly with your decision to cancel the Don Brash talk. You should
exercise courage, reverse your decision immediately and send a
message to the thugs that it is not they that will arbitrate what speech
is acceptable. Not doing so now will embolden them and make an
equally violent backlash inevitable.
For all our children's sake, show courage and reverse your decision
now.
Regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Your Fickle Non-Thinking
I am dismayed rather than angry to learn of your decision to prevent Dr Brash speaking on the Massey Campus
at Palmerston North.
You appear to hold a hefty disdain to open learning, thinking and freedom of expression.
I respectfully request you to ponder resigning from your role. Your bigotry has no place in an institution of the
caliber of Massey University as you risk bringing the University mockery, derision and withered respect.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Your gagging of Dr Brash and free speech
Dear Prof Thomas

As a university graduate and an ex university Tutor, I write to you in absolute horror at your disgraceful
banning of Dr Brash’s speech on your campus.
I am neither agreeing or disagreeing with what Dr Brash has said in the past as that is beside the point. When a
university gets to the point of telling people what they can and cannot hear there is a problem, and you are
helping create this. What can you possibly be thinking of, Professor?
Universities are supposed to be places where ideas are put out there, where students are encouraged to evaluate
ideas for themselves. What a disgraceful move of you to shut down free speech. Shame on you!
Dr Brash may well have ideas that are distasteful to some, so let him speak and put up someone else with
opposing ideas to speak also. That is what the free world used to be about, or are we now living in a place
where a Veterinary Scientist tells us what we can and cannot hear.
I just hope that the controversy you have created brings such dreadful closing down of free speech to a rightful
end. We do not live in a country of thought police, although you would like to create such a place.
Sincerely,
Auckland.
Sent from my I-Pad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Your pickle
Oh dear, Jan.
Too many interest groups to juggle? Best step away and let them tussle it out.
Distributed wisdom beats concentrated decision-making.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Your resignation
I have just learned of your appalling decision to cancel the Massey University Politics
Society event at which Don Brash was due to speak. Your actions, and the misinformed
grounds for them, demonstrate that you are incapable of upholding the values that
universities must stand for.
I support the call for you to resign from the vice chancellor position so that somebody
committed to the principles of free speech and enlightenment can take over. I also presume
that any credible threats to safety have been handed over to the Police for them to take
appropriate action.
From: Contact Centre Team Leader
To:
Subject: FW: Please forward to Vice Chancellor Jan Thomas and Chancellor Michael Ahie
From: Massey University

Sent: Thursday, 9 August 2018 8:34 AM
To: Contact Centre Team Leader <CallCentreTL@massey.ac.nz>
Subject: FW: Please forward to Vice Chancellor Jan Thomas and Chancellor Michael Ahie
-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Wednesday, 8 August 2018 6:06:36 PM
To: Massey University
Subject: Please forward to Vice Chancellor Jan Thomas and Chancellor Michael Ahie
Thank you for your acknowledgement of my email, but I note that you have not indicated whether my
original email was forwarded to the intended recipients as requested.
You may care to forward this response.
It is no more than weasel words to cover an appalling decision. The media and public response to the
University’s cowardly action should tell you that you both should tender your resignations.
From: Massey University <contact@massey.ac.nz>

Sent: Wednesday, 8 August 2018 11:57 a.m.
To:
Subject: RE: Please forward to Vice Chancellor Jan Thomas and Chancellor Michael Ahie
Good Morning
The decision was not taken lightly. Safety is of paramount concern and the Vice-Chancellor has legal
obligations in that regard. Concerns about security, including an online suggestion of violence – one
comment said bring a gun – were raised by the students from the club that invited Dr Brash to speak to.
The Vice-Chancellor made the decision, taking that threat into account as well as recent events that
suggest the current situation is potentially volatile.
The statement we issued yesterday is on our website.
Nga mihi,
Massey University, National Contact Centre (PN141), Private Bag 11 222, Manawatu Mail Centre,
Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm
Telephone: Auckland 64 9 414 0800 Extn 82103 | Wellington 64 4 801 5799 Extn 82103 | Palmerston
North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
Website: www.massey.ac.nz
From:
To: Massey University <contact@massey.ac.nz>
Professor Thomas
I can only presume by now you are feeling more than a little stupid at your personal ban on Dr Brash
speaking on the campus of Massey University.
I used to work at the University of Otago where, while I was in the support team, relished the
opportunity to attend a huge variety of lectures, discussions and debates on a huge range of
subjects. It was enlightening, instructive and an open environment.
You, on the other hand, seemed to have adopted the view that views and opinions that may differ
from your own are not welcome on the campus. Either that, or you are part of the movement
determined to rewrite history in ways mainly described as PC. Frankly, as an extremely highly paid
employee, you are charged with defending a variety of views and the rights to express them. To
justify your ban by saying that someone had threatened to bring a gun to the campus could have
been dealt with by the Police – who I’m picking never advised you to ban Dr Brash.
You should consider resigning your position forthwith – I have no doubts that you won’t do so, nor do
I expect even the courtesy of a reply.
You should be hanging your head in shame.

To:
Subject: FW: Attention Mr Michael Ahie & Dr Helen Anderson
From:
Subject: Attention Mr Michael Ahie & Dr Helen Anderson
Dear Chancellor and Pro Chancellor
I had the misfortune to study Arts at Massey University last year and as I tell everyone I know it was extremely
disappointing. It was evident then that management and teaching staff were far left, with censorship even
creeping into the marking of my short stories.
I am now absolutely disgusted to hear of the Vice Chancellor’s latest far left decision to ban Don Brash from
speaking at your university.
Disgusting. It is time Massey had a complete overhaul, and the principles of democracy and free speech be
drummed into your staff.
I can imagine enrolments will be low for the next few years because of this debacle.
Palmerston North
To:
Subject: FW: Banning Don Brash
From:
Subject: Re: Banning Don Brash
Hello
Massey University disappoints yet again with this trite spin doctor, mass circulated “reply”. So please
explain how the university and the VC are progressing with the NZ Police to track down the terrorist
who posted the threat of a gun. I await your response to this serious criminal act.
Regards
On 8/08/2018, at 11:08 AM, Massey University <contact@massey.ac.nz>

wrote:
Hello
The decision was not taken lightly. Safety is of paramount concern and the Vice-
Chancellor has legal obligations in that regard. Concerns about security, including an
online suggestion of violence – one comment said bring a gun – were raised by the
students from the club that invited Dr Brash to speak to. The Vice-Chancellor made the
decision, taking that threat into account as well as recent events that suggest the
current situation is potentially volatile.
Regards,
Massey University, National Contact Centre (PN141), Private Bag 11 222, Manawatu
Mail Centre, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
Telephone: Auckland 64 9 414 0800 Extn 82106 | Wellington 64 4 801 5799 Extn
82106 | Palmerston North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82106
Please note: The content of this email is confidential and may also be legally privileged,
intended for the individual or entity named and should be read by the intended recipient only. If
you are not the intended recipient and have received this email in error, can you please notify
the sender immediately and delete the content from your system. Thank you
From:
What a memorable and very sad day for academia in New Zealand., and especially so for
Massey University. The unilateral decision by vice chancellor Jan Thomas to ban Don
Brash from a speaking engagement at the Massey University campus is a deplorable
abuse of her position. The decision is without question a demonstration of an ill equipped
and weak leader who cannot display courage and is incapable of providing a role model
to students and wider society to robustly debate matters and promote open and
The behaviour of your vice chancellor has made my decision about which university my
children should enrol with, very simple - it will NOT be Massey University. I cannot abide
the thought of my children being under the “leadership” of a reactive , ill-informed, and
politically biased and prejudiced vice-chancellor.
Regards
To:
Subject: FW: Banning of Dr Don Brash
From:
Cc:
Subject: Banning of Dr Don Brash
Attention Chris Kelly, Chancellor Massey University
Dear Dr Kelly
I am writing to express my deep concern that Massey University Vice-

Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas has decided to ban Don Brash from
speaking at the university. I am concerned about both the decision and the
reasoning behind the decision.
Before retiring I was an associate professor of Public Policy at Victoria

University. One of my key areas of research was ethnicity measures within
policy making. In an earlier time I worked at the New Zealand Planning
Council and through that work had some contact with Dr Don Brash. I am
not a member of Hobson’s Pledge but have read through material on their
website. What they are promoting seems well short of hate speech.
In recent years I have seen an increasingly repressive environment within

some universities. For example, in a similar pattern to that of Don Brash, a
colleague had his invitation to speak at the Otago School of Medicine
withdrawn at the last moment because some staff did not agree with his
views.
I find the statement below in the press release by Professor Thomas

especially disturbing. Debate about Maori wards and Maori parliamentary
seats is very important. I have been involved in forums where differing views
have been put forward in a robust way. But it seems Professor Thomas
wants this debate to cease.
“Mr Brash’s leadership of Hobson’s Pledge and views he and its supporters
espoused in relation to Maori wards on councils was clearly of concern to
many staff, particularly Maori staff.”
It is of deep concern to me that some universities now feel they can repress
robust debate.
Thank you.
To:
Subject: FW: Cancellation of don brash
From:
Subject: Cancellation of don brash
Shamefull decision
No justification
Security??? BS
Parnell Auckland 1151

New Zealand
To:
Subject: FW: Cancellation of Don Brash speech
From:
Subject: Cancellation of Don Brash speech
Mr Michael Ahie BBS (Hons)

Chancellor
Massey University
Dear Mr Ahie
I refer to the recent decision by your Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jan Thomas BSc Murd., BVMS
Murd., MVS Melb., PhD Murd., MACVs, FAICD, FAIM to cancel the upcoming speech by Dr Don
Brash based on the writing of some anti- free speech protestors.
I am seeking a responses from the University Council on this unilateral decision by your Vice
Chancellor, and whether it is university policy to now censor free speech.
It was my understanding that the ethos of universities is to protect the bastion of free speech, it
seems that Massey may have forgotten that and now cowering behind the “hate speech”
rhetoric of a few.
You and the University council have been silent on this matter, and as such I presume you
support the decision of your Vice Chancellor. If so, you are culpable in the destruction of
democracy.
Nga mihi
P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

To:
Subject: FW: Cancellation of Don Brash"s address
From:
Subject: Cancellation of Don Brash's address
I am totally astonished at the gutlessness of your university in rolling over to threats of

violence and cancelling Don Brash's address.
You can't use the "hate speech" excuse. Don Brash espouses one law for all in New
Zealand. That is inclusive, NOT divisive, as our current political system is.
This is a day of shame on your establishment. When do we get around to having a public
book-burning?
Please at least attempt to open your closed mind. I thought that would be a prerequisite for
a Vice Chancellor.
regards
To:
Subject: FW: Chris Bishop MP
From:
Subject: Chris Bishop MP
Dear Massey University,

I am saddened and embarrassed by the cancellation of the Don Brash talk, and by the reasons given for the
cancellation. However, I understand that these issues will be addressed next Wednesday by Chris Bishop MP.
Please let me know when and where (time and venue) I can attend his presentation.
Thank you.
PN
Sent from my iPad

To:
Subject: FW: Complaint about Massey University
From:
Subject: Complaint about Massey University
I would like to make the strongest complaint about Massey University vice-chancellor Jan
Thomas’s refusal to host Dr Don Brash at Massey University.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/106068816/Massey-University-bans-Don-Brash-from-
speaking?cid=app-iPhone
Please forward my complaint to the University Council and the Chancellor to register it and
confirm this has been done to me.
I am very disgusted and saddened to learn that Massey University’s vice-chancellor has done this
and I consider you stopping Dr Brash from speaking is detrimental to free speech in New Zealand
and sets a bad precedent for other institutions to emulate your censorship.
Your capitulation and posturing will not only encourage more political interference but also is
likely to trigger more threatening behaviour in future from political opponents because they will
see this as an easy way to stop things happening.
I request you immediately censure your vice-chancellor, ideally by sacking her and reinstate Dr
Brash’s talk.
I am now ashamed to be an graduate of Massey University and I will be withdrawing from all
Alumni Relations matters and any future support for you.
To:
Subject: FW: CONFIDENTIAL Message for the Massey University Council
From:
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL Message for the Massey University Council
The Secretary,
Massey University Council.
Please place this message before Council at the earliest opportunity for their consideration
and acknowledgement in due course.
Good afternoon Councillors,

It is with deep concern that, having received a number of phone calls and email messages
from alumni and friends of the university,, I feel compelled to write to you regarding the
recent political action of your Vice Chancellor and her extremely unfortunate remarks
concerning a proposed visit by Dr Don Brash.The reason given by Professor Thomas for
banning Dr Brash was that she feared his visit would result in violence by people opposed
to what Dr Brash might have said. Having made a decision based on concerns regarding
safety of staff and students, she then proceeded to accuse Dr Brash of past statements
which she claimed were “close to hate speech”.
There are two quite distinct issues here.
Firstly, the banning of Dr Brash on safety grounds would necessarily be the result of
genuine threats received, otherwise normal security arrangements and a police presence
may have been a sensible precaution.Where did this threat emanate and from whom?
Media reports state that a local radio journalist, Karl Pearce, stimulated the Vice
Chancellor to respond. Is this correct? Did Professor Thomas seek the advice of the NZ
Police in this matter and what was their response? Provided that there was a clearly
identifiable threat which in any case should have been referred to the Police, then her
decision, based on their advice, might be understandable. Clarification of the threat is
obviously now a priority, if her credibility and the good name of Massey University is to be
maintained. If, however, the threat emanated from a political activist, such as Karl Pearce,
and if the Vice Chancellor reacted to that person’s input, then the judgement and indeed
the political bias of the Vice Chancellor is reprehensible, given the obvious damage to our
university’s reputation which has occurred. That in itself is bad enough.
Secondly, but much more importantly, Professor Thomas then used this opportunity to
accuse Dr Brash of past comments verging on “hate speech” and expressed her view that
he might (just might) actually promote these comments during his visit. Dr Brash has since
published his speech which was to focus on his time as a politician and as Governor of the
Reserve bank.Not only was this second attack by Professor Thomas unnecessary, but also
her comments clearly indicate that she was expressing a political view opposed to Dr Brash
and his association with Hobson’s Pledge- a totally separate issue. It is this aspect of
politicisation which I find utterly deplorable and totally unworthy of a Vice Chancellor of a
New Zealand university. Professor Thomas has displayed incredibly poor judgement in
resorting to such criticism; displayed an alarming and unacceptable degree of political bias;
and has effectively given Dr Brash an immense boost in national publicity (some suggest
she has made him a “martyr”). There is also a strong suggestion now emerging, that she
has consequently also broken the law (Education Act 1989 S.161 and the Human Rights Act
S.57), to name two.
Professor Thomas has, by her actions, brought Massey University and those of us
associated with it, into disrepute and national ridicule, as is evident both from a very rare,
politically bipartisan response, from all political parties represented in Parliament
condemning her action, and an immense, negative, response in social and national media.
(See NZ Politics Daily, Bryce Edwards, Otago University, 8 August 2018). Massey University
is now a laughing stock. Many alumni and friends of the university have expressed their
utter embarrassment and shame at being associated with the university-some even
offering to return their qualifications.
As a loyal and committed past staff member of some 35 years standing, I, too, share their
embarrassment at what Professor Thomas has done and it gives me no pleasure at all to
say so.
This incident has created an avalanche of negativism towards Massey University which will
be reflected for many years to come . A shameful episode.
As councillors, you collectively have a duty to recover this situation and many alumni and
friends will be looking to you all for a suitable response. I too look forward to that response
and hope it may go some way to restore the magnificent reputation our university has
established over many years. To do less will condemn council members to an historical
aberration in which you will be complicit. I trust you will exercise good judgement and
good will to all parties in your response?
From:
To:
Subject: FW: Don Brash coverage

image003.png
From:
Date: Wednesday, 8 August 2018 at 7:37 AM
To:
Cc:
Subject: Don Brash coverage
Hi
I’ve attached a report of the coverage so far. Please let us know if you require assistance from us today.
Kind regards
To:
Subject: FW: Don Brash Speaking Ban
Hi
See below – have not responded as have already responded once.
Thanks
From:
Subject: RE: Don Brash Speaking Ban
Thank you
I have viewed the statement.
Any threats should have been reported to police who would have taken the necessary action.
I am sorry, but I do not accept this explanation and I remain both disappointed and angry about this
whole unsatisfactory affair.
Can you please pass this on to the management team.
At this point I could not recommend any of my grandchildren to enrol at a University that does not
uphold the value of free speech.
I reiterate, Massey may consider it has not “taken this matter lightly”, but I believe it has, and
everybody I speak to holds the same view.
A poll on the AM show/Newshub this morning, driven by the Massey action, saw 78% of respondents
supporting the view that Freedon of Speech was being eroded in New Zealand.
I expect New Zealand Universities to support free speech, not actively work to prevent it.
If Massey University is unable to deal with safety risks resulting from “an online suggestion of
violence”, then perhaps it is time for Massey to consider whether it can remain as a New Zealand
University.
I ask again that this matter be reviewed with urgency.
If it is not, I will need to take action to ensure Massey University is brought to account for its part in
eroding Free Speech in New Zealand.
I will not resort to threats of violence or guns, which apparently do cause your hierarchy to sit up and
take notice, but I can assure you that I am more than capable of having a peaceful but effective
impact.
Nga mihi

Sent: Wednesday, August 8, 2018 1:07 PM
To: '
Good Afternoon
Nga mihi,
North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Don Brash Speaking Ban
To Management and whom it may concern at Massey University

I am absolutely appalled at the apparently flawed reasoning for shutting down a speech to political
students by Don Brash.
The explanations given for the ban are not reasoned, and lack credibility.
I am no particular fan of Brash, having lost respect for him some time ago.
However, I am a raging fan of free speech, and I am extremely unhappy with Massey University
having banned that.
As a Massey Graduate, which I proudly claim on my CV, I find the decision appalling, and
embarrassing.
I urge Massey University to think this through again, do the decent thing, and restore the rights of its
students to engage in and listen to free speech.
Nga mihi
To:
Subject: FW: Don brash speaking engagement
From:
Subject: Don brash speaking engagement
Hi there , as a proud former student I am absolutely gobsmacked at the reports that mr brash or any one else for
that matter has had his invitation rescinded by Jan Watson . This institution is publicly funded and should
uphold the rights of democracy and free speech, fundamental to our society . It is those seeking to disrupt that
are the problem here and they should be dealt with in the normal manner . I am beyond digusted over this and
want nothing more to do with the University , so please stop mail outs and I hope many former students like me
stand up for our rights and as for the VC sack here, gutless waste of space.
Sent from my iPhone

To:
Subject: FW: Don Brash Speech, Please pass to the V Chancellor
From:
Subject: Don Brash Speech, Please pass to the V Chancellor
I am absolutely disgusted at the cancellation of Don Brash’s speech on the receipt of a phone call
threatening disruption.
Free Speech is under attack especially in Universities overseas where students are demanding
“safe spaces” from ideas they don’t want to hear and also the removal of pictures/statues of
people from history they don’t approve of. As you well know that those who forget their history
are condemned to repeat it.
Also the right of free speech has been fought for over many centuries and it is a precious thing.
The English Speaking World has allowed thie free speech and as Voltaire said I do not agree with
what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it. This free speech has allowed the
English Speaking World to flower and give the world an unsurpassed Legal System, Free
Enterprise and a civilised system where people want to live in peace and be well governed.
If the right of free speech is curtailed this will lead to dictatorship and you can see this in the
History of Germany, Italy, Spain and Russia and China in the not too distant pass.
Both my parents served in WW 2 to fight for this right and I wonder what the ANZACS or the
defenders of Tobruk and the NZ Division would think of this caving in to a virulent anti
democratic mob because that is what this is rule of the Mob.
My advice is get some intestinal fortitude and hold the event. If you don’t understand this term
in the rarified atmosphere of the Ivory Towers of academia it means GET SOME GUTS.
To:
Subject: FW: Don Brash
From:
Subject: Don Brash
Dear Jan
As an alumnus of Massey University I am writing to inform you of my concern over your

banning of Don Brash from presenting at the university.
Whilst you may oppose his views, as I do, he is entitled to his views and the University
should not be seen to enforcing political censorship, particularly against a former MP of
New Zealand.
Yours faithfully
To:
Date: 8 August 2018 12:14:01 PM
Hi
This one is referring to formal complaints with the human rights commission - I don’t know that the standard
response will suffice. Could you please arrange a response?
Thanks
From:
Subject: Don Brash
Hi
Why would jan ban the former governor of the reserve bank from speaking at massey? You people must be
nuts. He's a harmless bumbling idiot! Why would FEAR him???
Jan you are a coward. Let this old man speak. If you think he is wrong then what have to FEAR?
I will be making a formal complaint to the human rights commission about this - obviously this is
discrimination on the grounds of political belief. Obviously you don't like what he says, so you slam the door in
his face.
Jan you are a miserable coward.
Yours i n disgust
Sent from my iPad

From:
To:
Cc: Kavanagh-Dee, Brigid; Morriss, Stuart; Wilson, Toni
Date: 8 August 2018 12:25:36 PM
Jan
I’m a little bit speechless. Not sure what to say to I do think it reinforces the
need to communicate with staff in a massey-all about this and show them a copy
of the gun threat and I have asked our health, safety and wellbeing director to
come up with some words about our legal responsibilities, which he has, and
these could be included.
From:
Date: Wednesday, 8 August 2018 at 12:18 PM
To:
Yes, to a staff discussion on freedom of speech. The staff member is Associate professor
From: Gardiner, James

To:
Dear am I reading this right. The organiser, who I presume is a staff

member, is proposing to invite Don Brash to our Auckland campus?
From:
To:
Subject: Don Brash
Dear and
I have been approached by the organiser of the weekly Social and Cultural Studies seminar (held
each Wednesday afternoon at 4 pm in AT3.50) about holding the next seminar on Wednesday 15
August on the subject of freedom of speech within universities, and further proposing to invite
Don Brash to attend.
I am very sympathetic to the proposal. I think staff will be eager to talk about the issue in the
wake of the banning of Don Brash’s visit to the student Politics group in Palmerston North.
The event would be advertised as normally through the HumSoc at Albany distribution list
(circulated to staff) and to a Humanities postgraduate list.
By the way I have just been asked onto the Panel on RNZ this afternoon to speak on freedom of
speech as it relates to religious freedoms.
To:
Subject: FW: Don Brash.
From: Sent From My Motorola
Subject: Don Brash.
As an alumni of Massey I want to record my disgust at the decision to cancel the Don Brash speech.
The Vice Chancellor has flown in the face of a university encouraging free speech. Where would our society be
now if universities had always disallowed unpopular opinions?
I believe the Vice Chancellor should resign. She has shown poor judgement.
To:
From:
Subject: Don Brash
Dear Sir/Madam
As a taxpayer I object to your decision to cancel a speaker on campus.
As a graduate of a NZ University I am embarrassed that you fail to fulfill a primary function of a university in
promoting debate and thought and free speech.
As a parent I will discuss with my two children whether or not your institution is an appropriate choice for
someone setting out on a university course. Which for me always meant far more than just getting a degree. It is
about learning in a wider sense.
As a New Zealander I regret you are going down a path we see often overseas and usually are thankful we are
free from.
Yours faithfully
To:
Subject: FW: freedom of speech
Hi
Based on the content of this email we are not comfortable to respond to this individual.
Will leave it to you as to whether the email warrants a response.
Thanks
From:
Subject: freedom of speech
GET RID OF THIS EVIL PEDOPHILE VC WHO WANTS TO DEPLATFORM

FREESPEECH AND INFILTRATE MARXIST IDEOLOGY INTO A ONCE GREAT UNI<
WAKE UP STAFF, FREE SPEECH IS FOR EVERYONE OR ELSE WE HAVE
TOTALITARIANISM - IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT????????
SHE HAS TO GO!!!!!!!
I WONT BE RE-ENROLLING EVER AGAIN DUE TO THIS DISGRACE!
Professor Thomas appears to regard such views – and opposition to Maori wards on local
councils (which have been defeated in most/all places where a referendum has been held
on them) – as simply illegitimate, and having no place in New Zealand, let alone on the
campus of Massey University, an organisation founded and substantially funded by the
New Zealand government and taxpayers. She was terrified that Dr Brash might make some
negative comment about Maori wards on campus and presumably no one at the university
she manages could cope with knowing that somewhere on campus, an elderly former
politician was expressing a view they might disagree with – a view which, on this
particular occasion, appears to be held by a fairly large chunk of the population.
Massey is different: it is a public institution (establishment, funding,

appointments to the council). And if the (foreign) Vice-Chancellor of a public
university thinks Dr Brash – who has given decades of public service to this
country – shouldn’t be allowed to speak on campus, when invited by students
(what, one wonders, would she do if one of the professors invited him to speak
to a class?), you have to wonder who – and which views – are next in the line
for a ban. Dr Brash is prominent enough – even if not always liked – that
there will be an outcry against his ban, while this sort of insidious censorship
can be applied more broadly to less prominent people.
This move has backfired, but as Reddell says it may be used in future against less
prominent people.
Her approach isn’t that of the courageous leader defending freedom and
debate, but rather of aligning herself with the mob to veto the ability of
student groups to invite speakers (ones uttering controversial views) to
campus. That sort of mobocracy, if allowed sway, would be the very antithesis
of democracy as we’ve come to practice it in countries like ours (even
Professor Thomas’s Australia) in the last couple of centuries. Thugs and
bullies rule, at the expense of those who respect the ability of decent people to
disagree. Thugs and bullies can come from either side of the political
spectrum. These days, in New Zealand (and other Anglo countries) they are
almost all from the far-left.
It seems Thomas is banning Brash because she doesn’t like what he says – an
extraordinary position for a university leader. As Thomas herself says, university staff and
students should be allowed to examine controversial and unpopular ideas.
A university that stifles debate, no matter how uncomfortable the subject matter, is
undermining its reason for being.
You are ruining our universities

credibility and devaluing our degrees
earned not that you people care. Get rid of
this foreign VC who knows nothing about
our free speech in NZ. If she wants to
make a difference go back to OZ and help
the aboriginals - nope didn't think she
would..
To:
Importance: High
From:
To: Alumni Relations <alumni@massey.ac.nz>
Cc: Massey University <contact@massey.ac.nz>; Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>
Importance: High
Regards
From:
Importance: High
As a Massey University graduate I am shocked and extremely disappointed at the action taken by
the VC to prevent Don Brash from speaking at an event on campus.
The reasons given are no less than pathetic – and for a university to curtail free speech just
beyond ironic!
Please delete my contact details from any university contact lists – I no longer wish to receive any
correspondence.
Regards

To:
https://alumnionline.massey.ac.nz/image/email-2014/emailbanner_MU50years_ManawatuEntrance.png

Auckland
Date: 21 August
Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Registration
To:
Subject: FW: Jan Thomas decision today.
From:
Subject: Jan Thomas decision today.
To whom this may concern at Massey University
Jan Thomas has made, in my opinion, a very concerning decision today to ban Dr Brash from speaking
tomorrow at Massey university ( Herald article published today).
The right to free speech is utmost in a democracy such as we have in New Zealand. If the university is
concerned about violence, then the Police must be involved to assist.
That is after all, why they are there. The freedom to free speech should not be undermined by people or persons
who break the law by threatening violence.
I am not a supporter of Mr Brash, nor the two Canadians, nor anyone opposing their views either. I am a
supporter of free speech. An ordinary Joe citizen who is disturbed by what is unfolding here.
I urge Jan Thomas to reconsider her decision
Yours faithfully
To:
Subject: FW: Jan Thomas needs to resign today!
From:
Subject: Jan Thomas needs to resign today!
Could not believe what I read on Stuff.
Who does this stupid woman think she is to decide who and what gets talked about at
universities.
She is so out of touch with reality and common sense that it is embarrassing to have her
on campus.
Dons views are well known , and maybe he would be lucky to get 5 people to his talk but
for Massey to cave in to PC woosy thinking
should be an embarrassment to the institution.
To:
Subject: FW: Jan Thomas
From:
Subject: Jan Thomas
I am so disgusted at your cowardice and lack of leadership in educating our future that
freedoms are earnt and must be fought for at all cost.
I will never encourage any of my children to attend your facility and will go as far as to
financially support any child or grandchild to attend alternatives to Massey.
I believe in our country,I believe in freedoms that have been dearly won and I abhor lack
of character.
From a Father,Ex serviceman and taxpayer.

To:
Subject: FW: Jan Thomas-Don Brash
From:
Subject: Jan Thomas-Don Brash
Congratulations to Jan Thomas & Massey Uni for banning Brash from speaking there.
Brash and his ilk are people from a bygone era cloaking their racist speak in intellectual
clap trap. Well done.
Regards
To:
Subject: FW: Just and simple Question,
Date: 8 August 2018 11:59:49 AM
Hi
This is one that seems to be questioning our university policies more than the cancellation of Don
Brash speaking.
The standard response doesn’t seem to fit this one. Could you look into responding please?
Thanks
From:
Subject: Just and simple Question,
After m you have turned down Don Brash to speak, we have taken a sudden interest at
what is going on at Massey.
We look through your website and see a whole section devoted to Maori.
Maori scholarships, a maori student centre, a Maori recruitment centre, it goes on and on.
Do you not this may be a little racist?
Why dont you have "Pakeha" scholarships or a "Pakeha" recruitment centre?
I could imagine the outcry if you did.
Can you see why this special treatment makes New Zealanders dislike and despise maori
even more than ever.
They get all these extra favors and support that the rest of us dont get, all based on the
colour of their skin.
And you think Don Brash is racist. !!!
It is disgusting.
To:
Subject: FW: Message for Chancellor Jan Thomas
From:
Subject: RE: Message for Chancellor Jan Thomas
Whilst I do appreciate your taking the time to reply to my email, the substance of the reply is
wholly unacceptable and not believable.
If what you say were true, then;
Why did Jan Thomas fail to state publicly that Don Brash has a right to speak at Massey
as a matter of ‘free speech’ ??
And
Why did Jan Thomas fail to condemn (in the strongest possible terms) the threat of
violence as a means to ‘shut down free speech’ ??
If and when Jan Thomas goes on record saying these things, I am sure the public will believe
that this was a security issue.
Without such a statement from her, it is pretty obvious that this was nothing short of political
meddling and a blight on the name and excellence of your university. Universities are supposed
to be places where young people debate ideas as part of their learning experience. Clearly
Massey does not aspire to such academic heights.
As an employer, I will certainly think twice before employing a person with a Massey degree.
Kind regards

Sent: Wednesday, 8 August 2018 11:28 AM
To:
Good Morning Ed,
The decision was not taken lightly. Safety is of paramount concern and the Vice-Chancellor has
legal obligations in that regard. Concerns about security, including an online suggestion of
violence – one comment said bring a gun – were raised by the students from the club that
invited Dr Brash to speak to. The Vice-Chancellor made the decision, taking that threat into
account as well as recent events that suggest the current situation is potentially volatile.
Nga mihi,
Contact Centre Team Leader

Massey University, National Contact Centre (PN141), Private Bag 11 222, Manawatu Mail
Centre, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
Telephone: Auckland 64 9 414 0800 Extn 82103 | Wellington 64 4 801 5799 Extn 82103 |
Palmerston North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Message for Chancellor Jan Thomas
The suppression free speech in relation to Don Brash on a "university campus" is appalling.
Universities are places where ideas from left and right should be debated.
Hiding behind a veil of "security threats" is equally appalling.
YOUR JOB is to NOT ALLOW these leftist rabble control your university. Free speech is the
victim and a a leftist mob is the victor.
On what grounds can you now consider Massey to be a genuine academic university...??
SHAME ON YOU.
______________________________
To:
Subject: FW: Please forward to Jan Thompson
From:
Subject: Please forward to Jan Thompson
Dear Jan
I am not a follower of Don Brash's views and opinions at all.

However, banning him from speaking at the university is against all that a university stands for.
"Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freedom of speech". - Benjamin
Franklin
Sincerely
Sent from my iPad

To:
Subject: FW: Please strike me off your roll of graduates
From:
Subject: Please strike me off your roll of graduates
I read with absolute horror your comments on the Massey University website regarding Dr
Brash.
I’ll make this quick. I want to have no further association with such a fascist institution.
Being of jewish ancestory, and having close relatives dead due to the Nazis, I must stand
firm against the whiff of totalitarianism that Massey seems to embrace banning such
speakers.
Is there a way of stiking me off your roll of graduates.
Yours faithfully,
To:
Subject: FW: query

Subject: FW: query
From:
Subject: query
I would be grateful if you could:
1. Confirm the Council supports Prof Jan Thomas in banning Don Brash from speaking at
Massey; and,
2. Provide the policy under which Dr Don Brash was banned.
Thanking you
To:
Subject: FW: Re; Brash talk to student club cancelled due to security concerns
From:
Subject: Re; Brash talk to student club cancelled due to security concerns
To the Chancellor of Massey University
As a Massey University alumni I wish to note my concerns with the decision of Professor
Thomas.
It is clear that this cancellation has been made because she does not like the views
espoused by Brash. Neither do I, however this type of decision making makes Professor
Thomas unfit for her position.
Kind regards
To:
Subject: FW: Regarding Recent Decision by Vice-Chancellor
From:
Subject: Regarding Recent Decision by Vice-Chancellor
Attention Massey University,
As a former Massey University student I wish to express my surprise and disappointment

over the vice-chancellor's decision to cancel Don Brash's talk at the university. I am
certainly not a supporter of Don Brash. However, I strongly believe that Jan Thomas has
made an inappropriate decision to stop the event. Surely robust and respectful debate is
healthy for society and preventing such a debate under the guise of 'security' if that is what
has taken place here is most concerning.
Regards,
To:
Subject: FW: Request under the Official Information Act 1982
Date: 9 August 2018 12:01:48 PM
Hi
Please find below an OIA request regarding the cancellation of Don Brash speaking. As per our
process, we have forwarded this to the privacy officer to investigate and have not responded to the
email at this point.
Thanks

From:
Sent: Thursday, 9 August 2018 11:30:06 AM
To: Thomas, Jan,Massey University
Dear Ms Thomas,
2. Copies of all of your e-mail communications over the last three months regarding any
matter relating to Dr Don Brash, the event that Dr Brash was to speak at, anything relating
to information you received about the security situation, your views on the event, or any
information that you received.
3. Copies of all of your physical or written communications over the last three months
regarding any matter relating to Dr Don Brash, the event that Dr Brash was to speak at,
anything relating to information you received about the security situation, your views on
the event, or any information that you received.
4. Any other document held by the University regarding the event that Dr Brash was to
speak at.
invoices.
years.
Sincerely,
From:
Subject: FW: Response to Don Brash Enquiries

Date: 8 August 2018 10:57:34 AM
Importance: High
Hi Team Leaders,
Please use the below sentence in your response to any email enquiries regarding Don Brash. Can you
please Bcc in into any emails so that a copy is provided to the VC’s office?
Any that have requested a response from the VC directly should be forwarded to without a
response from us please.
Regards,
From:
Sent: Wednesday, 8 August, 2018 10:51 AM
To:
Subject: Re: Response to Don Brash Enquiries
The decision was not taken lightly. Safety is of paramount concern and the Vice-
Chancellor has legal obligations in that regard. Concerns about security, including an
online suggestion of violence – one comment said bring a gun – were raised by the
students from the club that invited Dr Brash to speak to. The Vice-Chancellor made
the decision, taking that threat into account as well as recent events that suggest the
From:
To:
Subject: RE: Response to Don Brash Enquiries
Hi
Any update on this?
Regards,
From:
Sent: Wednesday, 8 August, 2018 8:44 AM
To:
Cc: Contact Centre Team Leader <CallCentreTL@massey.ac.nz>
Subject: Response to Don Brash Enquiries
Importance: High
Hi
We have arranged with that the National Contact Centre will respond to emails
in regards to Don Brash. We would really like a one or two liner that we can reply with for these
emails. Typical emails are below. Are you please able to provide us with a possible response?
“You should all hang your heads in shame.”
“The suppression free speech in relation to Don Brash on a "university campus" is appalling.
YOUR JOB is to NOT ALLOW these leftist rabble control your university. Free speech is the victim and a
a leftist mob is the victor.
SHAME ON YOU.”
“I cannot find a statement outlining the reasons for your refusal to host Dr Don Brash at your
university.
One would have hoped that a University in NZ would be the one place we could expect to see freedom
of speech.
It demeans the reputation of the University to be promoting this cowardly stance.
NZ stands for the right of free speech and all our tertiary institutions should support this.”
“I am not for or against Mr Brash. I am for free speech.

Jan Thomas, your stance disgusts me.
Especially from a learned persons point of view in an organisation which should encourage young
people to make up their own minds. Not be clones in your image, too afraid to step out of YOUR line
for fear of being branded as something distasteful.
I had enough of that with religious parents and you image that for me and put that on your students.
Shame.”
Nga mihi,
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 5.00 pm
Please note: The content of this email is confidential and may also be legally privileged, intended for the individual or entity
named and should be read by the intended recipient only. If you are not the intended recipient and have received this email in
error, can you please notify the sender immediately and delete the content from your system. Thank you.
To:
Subject: FW: THE MASSEY UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
From:
Subject: THE MASSEY UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
From:
To:
Subject: DR DON BRASH
My compulsory income tax ( and other taxes) have built your assets at Massey
and pay your salaries.
Free Speech is very dear to me and all of us thinking New Zealanders.
You have forgotten 30,000 precious New Zealand lives were lost in WW1 and
WW2 to protect our freedom.
You are completely wrong to ban anyone to speak on your campus.
I will copy this to The Massey University Council.
Yours sincerely,
To:
Subject: FW: Thomas
From:
Subject: Thomas
Sack Jan Thomas.
There is no place is New Zealand for people of her ilk.
Proud 'white' middle aged Kiwi.

To:
Subject: FW: Your message has been received by Massey University
Date: 8 August 2018 10:57:46 AM
Hello
Please see the email below which is in additional to one sent yesterday. As this is a OIA we have also
sent these through to and for their response.
Regards,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82106
Please note: The content of this email is confidential and may also be legally privileged, intended for the individual
or entity named and should be read by the intended recipient only. If you are not the intended recipient and have
received this email in error, can you please notify the sender immediately and delete the content from your system.
Thank you

Subject: FW: Your message has been received by Massey University
From:
Subject: Re: Your message has been received by Massey University
Could you please add to my OIA request,or if necessary treat as a new request, the following:
1 Which member or members of the Massey staff communicated with the Police about
the perceived security threat?
2 What was the manner of the communication? For example, face to face oral,
telephone, text, email?
3 Where did the communication take place?
4 Which members of the police were the communications with?
5 What information and/or opinion was communicated to the police, on the occasion of
each communication?
6 What if any requests were made to the Police, whether to provide assistance, provide
advice, or otherwise?
7 What information, opinion or advice was communicated by the member of the police
to the Massey staff member, on the occasion of each such communication?
The same request for urgency is made. Given the extensive publicity these events have lead to,
I would expect that all such information will be close at hand. I remind you that the statutory
obligation is to respond to such requests as soon as is reasonably practicable.
This transmission (including any attachments) is for the addressee(s) only. It is confidential and may contain legally privileged
information. The unauthorised use, disclosure or copying of this transmission or such information is strictly prohibited. If you
are not the addressee, and are in the possession of this transmission (or any copy) without the consent of the named
addressee, please notify me immediately by telephone (64-3 477 4030) or by reply email. You must delete the original
transmission (including any attachment) and its contents and destroy or return to me any hard copy of all or part of such
transmission. Thank you.

Date: Tuesday, 7 August 2018 11:06 am
To:
Subject: Your message has been received by Massey University
T?n? koe,
Thank you for contacting Massey University. For student enquiries please ensure that you have provided
your student ID (if known), full name, date of birth, current address and contact phone number, this will
assist us in responding to your enquiry.
Ng? mihi,
NATIONAL CONTACT CENTRE

Operating Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm
Telephone: 0800 MASSEY (627 739), Overseas +64 6 350 5701
Email: contact@massey.ac.nz
Free Text: 5222
Webchat: chat.massey.ac.nz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MasseyUniversity
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MasseyUni
First year free fees information

We encourage all prospective students to apply now through the normal process and check your eligibility
at FeesFree.govt.nz. We look forward to welcoming you to one of our four campuses – Auckland,
Manawat?, Wellington or Distance.
Enrolments for 2018 are still open:To enrol click here

https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/admission/enrolment/enrolment_home.cfm
Information Evenings: Come along to find out more about career pathways, how to apply for study,
information on undergraduate and postgraduate degree and other study options. Find more information
here massey.ac.nz/infoevenings
Open Days:Open Days at Massey University are your chance to explore your future options. Held on each
campus, they give you an insight into study areas, accommodation, student life and more. Find more
information here massey.ac.nz/opendays
named and should be read by the intended recipient only. If you are not the intended recipients and have received this email
in error, can you please notify the sender immediately and delete the content from your system. Thank you.
To:
Subject: FW: Your Stalinist Vice Chancellor
From:
Subject: Your Stalinist Vice Chancellor
Dear Stormtroopers,
Can you please pass this email onto your Facist Dictator masquarading as a "Vice
Chancellor".....
Just where in the hell is she coming from thinking that SHE is the arbitour of what should
and should not available through 'free speech".....
What an absolute embarrassment and disgrace she is..........
Resign now you loopy lying lefty before everyone fully understands what a pathetic
supposed academic you pretend to be..........
kind regards
To:
Subject: RE: (no subject)
Date: 8 August 2018 11:14:12 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Sent: Tuesday, 7 August 2018 7:46:08 PM
Subject: (no subject)
Good evening,
Could you please pass on to the pathetic and weak Vice Chancellor my disgust at those qualities (or
lack thereof).
I spent 11 years getting a degree at Massey while having a (more than) full time job and a young
family. Nowhere in my learning did I learn that large organizations like Massey could have such a
pathetic decision maker.
I couldn’t care less about Don Brash or Jacinda Adern but would say that Jacinda wouldn’t be able to
go anywhere if you logically thought through the fact she will always be a bigger security risk than
Don Brash.
It annoys me that the taxpayer pays lots of salary to people who clearly couldn’t cope with decisions
in the business world. What annoys me most is that my degree has been degraded by the fact that
the University I went to can be so petty and stupid.
To:
Subject: RE: Albany campus
Date: 8 August 2018 11:19:08 AM
Good Morning,
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Albany campus
Dear Sir,
I would like it recorded that I am appalled at the decision by your Vice Chancellor Prof. Jan Thomas's
decision to shut down the visit and speech to be given by a respected member of NZ society.
For a University to strangle free speech in such a manner, flys in the face of the Universities world wide
who champion the free speech doctrine on their campuses.
To hide behind a "security" issue is a downright lie. If there was an iota of truth in the security area, it
should have been immediately referred to the Police.
For Massey University not to come out and discipline or censure this staff member infers it is complicit in
the shutting down of free speech also.
Your organisation has effectively moved NZ one step closer to a Communist state.
You are a disgrace to New Zealand.
To:
Subject: RE: Ashamed of my Alma Mater
Date: 8 August 2018 12:16:43 PM
Good Afternoon
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Ashamed of my Alma Mater
Please forward to the Vice Chancellor, my concerns and shock at the recent banning of Don
Brash speaking about his time in politics to the Political Society at the Massey University
Manawatu Campus.
Nothing about the decision was reasonable, considered or in accordance to University ideals of
having a very high threshold around robust debate.
Badly done. Shame on you!

To:
Subject: RE: Attn Vice Chancellor
Date: 8 August 2018 11:01:10 AM
Hello
obligations in that regard. Concerns about security, including an online suggestion of violence – one comment
said bring a gun – were raised by the students from the club that invited Dr Brash to speak to. The Vice-
Chancellor made the decision, taking that threat into account as well as recent events that suggest the current
situation is potentially volatile.
Regards,

Massey University, National Contact Centre (PN141), Private Bag 11 222, Manawatu Mail Centre, Palmerston
North 4442, New Zealand
North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82106
Please note: The content of this email is confidential and may also be legally privileged, intended for the
individual or entity named and should be read by the intended recipient only. If you are not the intended
recipient and have received this email in error, can you please notify the sender immediately and delete the
content from your system. Thank you
From:
Subject: Attn Vice Chancellor
Good evening,
As an alumni, I am deeply disappointed in your decision to ban Don Brash from speaking.
This is a total contradiction of your values of Free Speech, and shows how shallow you consider the importance
of open debate.
The fact that your actions have been condemned from all aspects of the political spectrum, combined by a
denial from the police that they had been involved, as you have stated, demonstrates you are not fit for office.
You should resign promptly.
Sent from my iPad

To:
Subject: RE: Attn: Jan Thomas Vice Chancellor
Date: 8 August 2018 11:09:37 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Attn: Jan Thomas Vice Chancellor
Greetings,
What happen to freedom of speech in New Zealand?
Is Don Brash not entitled to an opinion through freedom of speech?
Have you considered resigning?
Regards
To:
Subject: RE: ATTN: Chancellor - Re Brash/Vice Chancellor Issue
Date: 8 August 2018 11:15:29 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: ATTN: Chancellor - Re Brash/Vice Chancellor Issue
Dear Chancellor
Your Vice Chancellor’s decision to deny Don Brash access to the university campus is so
appalling that it demands a response. I have just two comments:
Whilst I disagree with much of what Brash has to say I will say this of him; if all males in New
Zealand were the gentleman that Don Brash is, then in respect of men, violence would not be
an issue in this country.
Secondly, if your Vice Chancellor genuinely believes that Brash might cause or incite violence
then her judgement is such that there must now be a massive question mark over her
suitability to hold the office of Vice Chancellor. I trust you will soon be announcing a vacancy.
Yours sincerely
Virus-free. www.avg.com
To:
Subject: RE: Ban on Brash speech
Date: 8 August 2018 12:18:33 PM
Good Afternoon,
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Ban on Brash speech
Good morning
I wish to record my strong opposition to your Vice Chancellor’s decision to ban Brash from speaking
at your university.
I disagree with much of what Brash says but defend his right to say it. Hiding behind issues of health
and safety is reprehensible.
The University should be the leader in upholding free speech.
You have made an astonishingly bad decision and I implore you to reconsider.
Yours sincerely
Auckland.
To:
Subject: RE: Banning Brash a Terrible Decision
Date: 8 August 2018 11:06:47 AM
Hello
Regards,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82106
Thank you
From:
Subject: Banning Brash a Terrible Decision
Greetings,
I was very surprised and shocked that Massey banned Dr Brash from speaking.
It is obviously based on fascism thought control. The use of 'banned free speech' laws are what
Hitler used to get to, and remain in power - anyone who spoke up against him was locked up
used speech control laws.
The other explanation of giving in to threats of violence form leftist Marxists or anarchists, is
also difficult to understand and impossible to accept. If a violent person is threatening or doing
something illegal they should be locked up.
The person responsible should be fired immediately.
I will certainly not be sending any of NY three daughters to Massey, or recommending it, until
the fascist cowards in the institution are removed.
To:
Subject: RE: Banning Don Brash
Date: 8 August 2018 11:08:22 AM
Hello
Regards,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82106
Thank you
From:
What a memorable and very sad day for academia in New Zealand., and especially so for Massey
University. The unilateral decision by vice chancellor Jan Thomas to ban Don Brash from a speaking
engagement at the Massey University campus is a deplorable abuse of her position. The decision is without
question a demonstration of an ill equipped and weak leader who cannot display courage and is incapable of
providing a role model to students and wider society to robustly debate matters and promote open and
The behaviour of your vice chancellor has made my decision about which university my children should
enrol with, very simple - it will NOT be Massey University. I cannot abide the thought of my children being
under the “leadership” of a reactive , ill-informed, and politically biased and prejudiced vice-chancellor.
Regards
To:
Subject: RE: Banning of Don Brash
Date: 8 August 2018 11:17:02 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
I find your Chancellors decision to ban Don Brady's talk to be completely unacceptable and
against any principals of free speech.
There has been no evidence or proof provided of any actual justification for this apart from the
personal prejudice of the Chancellor.
This decision only serves to undermine the integrity and reputation of your organisation.
Your Chancellor needs to be seriously reprimanded and apologise.
To:
Subject: RE: banning of Don Brash
Date: 8 August 2018 11:58:08 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: banning of Don Brash
I wish, as a graduate of Massey University, to express my strong opposition to the action of the
Vice Chancellor of the university, Jan Thomas, in banning Don Brash as a speaker. I consider it is
a role of a university to allow educated people of the older generation to speak to the younger
generation. How else are young people to learn if they don’t hear diverse opinions? To argue
that there would be violence shows simply that not enough has been done by Massey
University authorities to create a safe working environment for staff and students. There must
be many people at Massey who fear to express themselves and who have lost their freedom of
movement and association accordingly. To argue that Maori would be discomforted by Don
Brash suggests that Ms Thomas is patronising towards Maori students and staff at Massey
University. Their courtesy towards guests is traditional and respect for elders is a given. I wish
my views to be conveyed to Ms Thomas and would appreciate an acknowledgement.
To:
Subject: RE: Brash ban
Date: 8 August 2018 11:03:42 AM
Hello
Regards,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82106
From:
Subject: Brash ban
Appalling. Vice Chancellor must resign

To:
Subject: RE: Brash seminar
Good Afternoon
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Brash seminar
vice-chancellor’s reason for cancelling Brash’s seminar most unconvincing

To:
Subject: RE: cancellation of Don Brash debate
Date: 9 August 2018 11:58:48 AM
Good Morning
The statement we issued is on our website.
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: cancellation of Don Brash debate
To whom it may concern,
I wish to express my fury at the cancellation of this debate.
I thought a University would be PRECISELY the institution which should be upholding the
principle pf free speech and academic debate.It is not up to one individual to decide for the
majority that because SHE doesn't agree with something that everyone's right to hear the
subject is taken away.
In my opinion the Vice Chancellor should be censured and even fired from her position.
Shame on her for her actions.A huge obscene salary does not give her the right to trample over
other peoples wish to see a robust debarte from a man vastly more intelligent than she is!
She should apologise to NZ and then reinstate the debate immediately...and stop using this BS
about "safety" issues.
NZ is going to Hell in a handbasket when PC morons like this are in positions of power.
I would like to send the VC a message...grow up and stop trying to be so liberal...you have
done Massey Uni a huge disservice.You should be ashamed.
60 year old woman off to see Don Brash at AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY

tonight!
To:
Subject: RE: Censorship at Massey
Date: 8 August 2018 11:28:52 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Censorship at Massey
I cannot find a statement outlining the reasons for your refusal to host Dr Don Brash at your university.
One would have hoped that a University in NZ would be the one place we could expect to see freedom of
speech.
NZ stands for the right of free speech and all our tertiary institutions should support this.
Sent from my iPad
To:
Subject: RE: Complaint
Date: 8 August 2018 11:33:39 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Complaint
Dear Sirs/Madam,
As a person who obtained a Bachelor’s degree in 1983 from Massey University, I wish to
complain about;
1. Paul Spoonley. He is obviously a racist and an extreme left winger who, I suspect, would
support the likes of concentration camps for people he didn’t agree with. He needs to
be investigated.
2. Jan Thomas. She is not only racist and a whimp, but embarrassing.
Both Paul Spoonley and Jan Thomas are devaluing the reputation of Massey and therefore the
quality of my degree. I demand that their relationship with the university be terminated with
immediate effect.
Also you have a student there who threatens free speech and supports violence. His name is
Karl Pearce. He should be reported to the police and regardless, kicked out.
I object to my taxpayer money being spent in support of these 3 people.
Thank you.
Regards,
To:
Subject: RE: Cowardice wins over free speech
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Cowardice wins over free speech
I am appalled at the craven response of both the Vice-Chancellor and Chancellor in cancelling Don
Brash’s speaking engagement at the mere unsubstantiated suggestion of threats of violence towards
him, with no consultation with the police. I seriously doubt that in all the history of New Zealand
there has never been such an utter capitulation to a threat to our democratic right to freedom of
speech. Shame upon you.
To:
Subject: RE: Dear Comrades
Date: 8 August 2018 11:10:37 AM
Good Morning
comment said bring a gun – were raised by the students from the club that invited Dr Brash to speak to. The
Vice-Chancellor made the decision, taking that threat into account as well as recent events that suggest the
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Cc:
Subject: Dear Comrades
Dear Comrades,
Chairman Mao would be proud that one of his Communist foot soldiers has infiltrated Massey
University.
I cringe at the thought of my student niece being brainwashed into being a Commie. Lets hope
she has the strength of character to repudiate the teachings of Jan Thomas and her Leftist
bullies.
Yours in repudiation
To:
Subject: RE: Decision to ban Brash
Good Afternoon
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Decision to ban Brash
I am writing as a member of Massey University alumni to protest against the idiotic decision by
the Vice Chancellor to ban Don Brash from speaking at the campus. It was a disgraceful
decision and runs counter to the very notion of a university of a place of learning and exchange
of views. It also reflects the left wing and PC bias of the staff and management at Massey.
I am withdrawing all funding from Massey via the Alumni. I had left $250,000 in my will for
Massey. I have today instructed my lawyer to amend my will to remove that gift.
Your VC is a disgrace.
Wellington
To:
Subject: RE: Disappointed at VC position on free speech
Date: 8 August 2018 11:55:29 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From: >
To: Massey University <contact@massey.ac.nz>; ; Alumni
Relations <alumni@massey.ac.nz>
Subject: Disappointed at VC position on free speech
Please forward this email to the Chancellor and members of the University Council
Dear Chancellor
I am writing to express my extreme indignation and disappointment upon reading of the Vice
Chancellor's attack on the principles of freedom of speech and freedom of association today.
Specifically in her not allowing Dr Don Brash to speak on campus at the invitation of students.
I am a proud alumnus of Massey (although not so proud today), having received my PhD in
2011, and prior to that bachelors and honours degrees (id I have walked across the
stage on three occasions and not until today have I been ashamed of my association with
Massey University.
It has been said many times over the past few weeks, but it is still true, though seemingly under
attack now, that universities should be the bastions of free speech. Students should be
challenged by ideas that they disagree with, since only by examining and debating these ideas
can defences against them be honed. The answer to speech with disagree with is more speech
and better speech, not to outlaw it. Labelling any idea one disagrees with as hate speech
attacks the very concept of free speech, and risks cheapening the very precise concept of hate
speech.
In my opinion, any speaker should be free to speak at a university. If they hold unpopular views
then people should be free to ignore them or protest them, and the resulting debate and clash of
ideas makes us all stronger. If there are concerns of violence then this only indicates that these
are powerful ideas, and where do powerful ideas belong other than at a university. Hire
security. However in this case such concerns lack credibility. Dr Brash is one of our most
respected public figures, having been leader of a major political party, and Governor of the
Reserve Bank.
The Vice Chancellor has revealed herself to be unfit for the office she holds. This is not a one-
off mistake to be apologised away, but a doubling-down on her troubling opinions of recent
months. She should be censured immediately. Or better, dismissed for holding views that are
incompatible with the values of the institution she represents.
To:
Subject: RE: Disgraceful behaviour/urgent
Date: 8 August 2018 11:51:46 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From: >
Subject: Disgraceful behaviour/urgent
How sad that you are preventing Don Brash from speaking on your campus.
We fought for the right to speak in a free manner so how dare you prevent this from happening in our
democracy.
Please reverse your decision.
Sent from my iPad

To:
Subject: RE: Don Brash - Speech cancellation
Date: 8 August 2018 11:34:22 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Don Brash - Speech cancellation
I graduated from this university, I am ashamed of it. Don Brash is an exceptional

politician and New Zealander. Jan Thomas should resign or be asked to go.
-
To: "
Subject: RE: Don Brash lecture
Date: 8 August 2018 11:08:45 AM
Good Morning and
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Don Brash lecture
As graduates of Massey University we wish to express our profound displeasure at the

cancellation of the lecture by Don Brash.
We think the decision has brought the University into disrepute, particularly as the reasons for
the cancellation expressed by the vice-chancellor appear flimsy, with a strong element of
political motivation.
We call on the vice-chancellor to resign her post as her position has become untenable.
Yours faithfully
To:
Good Afternoon
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Don Brash Speaking Ban
To Management and whom it may concern at Massey University

I am absolutely appalled at the apparently flawed reasoning for shutting down a speech to political
students by Don Brash.
The explanations given for the ban are not reasoned, and lack credibility.
I am no particular fan of Brash, having lost respect for him some time ago.
However, I am a raging fan of free speech, and I am extremely unhappy with Massey University
having banned that.
As a Massey Graduate, which I proudly claim on my CV, I find the decision appalling, and
embarrassing.
I urge Massey University to think this through again, do the decent thing, and restore the rights of its
students to engage in and listen to free speech.
Nga mihi
To:
Subject: RE: Don Brash Speech
Date: 8 August 2018 11:12:43 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From: >
Cc: Alumni Relations <alumni@massey.ac.nz>
Subject: Don Brash Speech
As an alumni of Massey I am disgusted that Vice-Chancellor Jan Thomas has decided to cancel Don
Brash’s talk to the student club. As an adult student at Massey at varying times from 1989 – 2005 my
visits to the Massey campus and engagements with fellow students, lecturers and other staff
ingrained in me the principles of free speech and exchange of ideas, no matter how badly these may
be interpreted and taken up by various sides of the debate. As mature adults, the experiences at
Massey further encouraged us to respect and try to understand other people’s views while often not
agreeing with them. The quality of debate is determined by the strength of response to argument
promoted by the other side. Isn’t this what all educational institutions are supposed to promote?
This action is appalling as it now encourages greater divisions and adoption of extremist attitudes by
those whose opportunities to learn, accept and understand that all of us don’t have the same views
and opinions, have been taken away by this disgraceful decision.
The insidious encroachment of decision- making based on political correctness into our society by
seemingly intelligent people of influence is becoming a major blight on the values and ideals that our
young people learn to rationalise and adopt as they transition to an adult world.
My plea to Vice-Chancellor Thomas is to take a deep breath, seek out wise counsel and reconsider
this decision.
Regards
To: j 4
Subject: RE: Don Brash speech
Date: 8 August 2018 11:02:05 AM
Hello
Regards,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82106
Thank you
From: >
Subject: Don Brash speech
Please pass on to Jan Thomas how disgusted I am about her stance on Don Brash speaking at
the University.......using security concerns as an excuse. Anti free speech!
From .
Sent from Samsung tablet.

To:
Date: 8 August 2018 11:02:47 AM
Hello
Regards,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82106
From:
Subject: Don Brash
Hello
Shame on you. University's are a bastion of free speech and I am horrified that you would ban Don Brash from
speaking.
Regards
Sent from my iPhone

To:
Date: 8 August 2018 11:24:11 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Don Brash
To:
Date: 8 August 2018 11:30:19 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Don Brash
A disgraceful exhibition of censorship at its very worst. Plays right into the hands of all the
wrong people.
I believe if the VC does not resign she should be dismissed. An appalling lack of judgement!!!
Regards
Sent from Samsung tablet.

To: "
Date: 8 August 2018 11:40:46 AM
Good Morning
comment said bring a gun – were raised by the students from the club that invited Dr Brash to speak
to. The Vice-Chancellor made the decision, taking that threat into account as well as recent events
that suggest the current situation is potentially volatile.
Nga mihi,

From:
To: Massey University <contact@massey.ac.nz>;
Subject: Don Brash
Your executive team need to really grow the hell up.
Banning someone is utterly childish.
I am glad I am no longer part of Massey.

To:
Date: 8 August 2018 11:45:32 AM
Good Morning,
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Don Brash
Sack the stupid, ignorant woman.

Completely out of touch with reality
To:
Date: 8 August 2018 12:17:37 PM
Good Afternoon,
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Don Brash
Having family members who are graduates, I am appalled at your action in preventing Don
Brash from speaking. You are destroying the very essence of what universities are for, and as
well ignoring our free democracy that I and thousands of others have defended during wars.
Please live up to your motto, Floreat Scientia - Let Knowledge Flourish.
Christchyrch
To: "
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Don Brash
Dear Sir/Madam,
The cancellation of Don Brash’s speech is a total, absolute disgrace. I have no political axe to grind. In fact, I
voted Labour at the last election. However, our universities are meant to be a bastion of free speech. Shame on
you, Massey University.
Faithfully,
Sent from my iPad

To:
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Don Brash
As a moderate person I have never contacted a university before, but the banning of Don Brash
has to be the most incompetent, ludicrous, ignorant action that any university has taken in my
memory.
I went to Cambridge University. Every University graduate must be in disbelief.
A rapid reversal of the decision is the only thing to prevent Massey being a laughing stock, and
a very sad one.
Whangarei
To:
Tena koe
Thank you for your email.
I have referred your feedback through to our Executive Assistant of the Vice Chancellor for
consideration.
Should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Nga mihi,

Free Text: 5222
Enrolments for 2018 are still open: To enrol click here:

information on undergraduate and postgraduate degree and other study options. Find more
information here massey.ac.nz/infoevenings
Open Days: Open Days at Massey University are your chance to explore your future options. Held on
each campus, they give you an insight into study areas, accommodation, student life and more. Find
more information here massey.ac.nz/opendays
Please note: The content of this email is confidential and may also be legally privileged, intended for the individual or entity named
and should be read by the intended recipient only. If you are not the intended recipient and have received this email in error, can
you please notify the sender immediately and delete the content from your system. Thank you.
From:
Subject: Don Brash
Good afternoon
As an old boy of Massey University I would like to express my abhorrence to the decision to stop
Don Brash speaking on the Campus. This is a very dangerous precedent. I would ask the
University reverse the decision as soon as possible.
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
To:
Subject: RE: Don Brush
Date: 8 August 2018 11:06:41 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Don Brush
Dear Massey,
should a University promote censure?
Shame...
Regards
To: "
Subject: RE: Email for Chancellor Michael Ahie
Date: 8 August 2018 12:06:25 PM
Good Afternoon
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Email for Chancellor Michael Ahie
Dear Mr Ahie
Please can you intervene and allow Don Brash to speak at Massey.
What has happened is alarming, free speech must be protected, ideas exchanged especially
at university's.
I am the Father of 2 children who hopefully one day they will want to attend higher
education and if this is the level of free speech at Massey I will not encourage my children to
attend Massey university.
Regards
To:
Subject: RE: Email for Michael Ahie, Chancellor - Don Brash Ban
Date: 8 August 2018 11:17:46 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Fwd: Email for Michael Ahie, Chancellor - Don Brash Ban
Dear Sir / Madam
Can you please advise the correct email address for the Chancellor so that I may send him my
complaint about the Vice-Chancellor.
Kind regards
Sent from my iPhone
From:
Date: 7 August 2018 at 22:51:35 GMT+2
To:
Cc: contact@massey.ac.nz
Subject: Email for Michael Ahie, Chancellor - Don Brash Ban
Dear Michael and dear Claire and dear Tony
I am a Kiwi poet working in Australia, and have been appalled to read on the NZ
Herald and Stuff (Manawatu Standard) websites that the Massey University Vice-
Chancellor has decided to ban former Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor and
former National Party leader Dr Don Brash from speaking at Massey University
campus because she does not like his views.
This obnoxious and Orwellian attack on free speech is 110% contrary to the
fundamental principle that universities are the last - and greatest - bastion of free
speech in Western democracies.
The Vice-Chancellor also falsely asserted that there were legitimate security
concerns raised, all on the basis of just one letter received from an opponent of Dr
Brash. However the author of the letter has strenuously denied making any
physical threats. And if the threats had any credibility, then that is the
responsibility of the NZ police to respond appropriately.
US-style “Culture Wars” are un-New Zealand and should have no place in New
Zealand universities. Some media commentators are saying that the Vice-
Chancellor is a recent import from Australia who has not even read all of Dr
Brash’s historic speeches as Reserve Bank Governor or National Party leader
before issuing her ban.
I would therefore request that you convene the appropriate lawful meeting to
dismiss the Vice-Chancellor with immediate effect for:
a) her attack on free speech when she should be the defending Dr Brash’s right to
speak at Massey University not banning him;
b) paving the way for a future totalitarian government to suppress free speech in
New Zealand;
c) bringing Massey University into disrepute by her fascist actions.
In separate email I am asking the Minister of Immigration to investigate whether

the Vice-Chancellor’s actions and statements means she has failed the good
character test to remain working in New Zealand.
Please action this request speedily.
Yours sincerely
Sent from my iPhone

To:
Subject: RE: Embarrassing Behaviour
Date: 8 August 2018 11:04:35 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Embarrassing Behaviour
To whom is may concern
As a graduate of Massey Universities MBA program I am writing to express my disappointed in Jan Thomas’s
decision to ban Don Brash from speaking to the Politics Society at the University.
The reported justification based on security concerns engendered by a few Maori staff should be of real concern
to all New Zealanders. That the university can be manipulated in this fashion is an embarrassment.
Finally, the view often quoted citing Don Brash’s “ Orewa Speech” as being racist in nature, which is I suspect
at the core of this move, is by definition incorrect! Ironically, bullying tactics which endeavour to censor a
discussion which has as its central tenet the promotion of equal rights, are essentially racist.
Informed discussion please. I expect better from my Alma Mater.
Respectfully yours
To:
Subject: RE: Free Speach
Good Morning and
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Free Speach
Sack you Vice Chancellor!!! Fair go, this is 2018 and we have brains to choose who to believe. We
NZ’ers have had enough of this left wing P.C. nonsense.
Thank you,

To:
Subject: RE: Free Speech
Date: 8 August 2018 11:16:21 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Good morning,
I am disappointed that your university has banned Don Brash from speaking. I don’t actually care what Topic
Don was talking about but if any NZer threatens free speech and you have to call off events then you are giving
up on the principals of our nation.
Make this right and open your university to free speech where all points of view can be robustly debates without
the threat of violence.
Regards
Sent from my iPhone

To:
Subject: RE: Free Speech and Don Brash
Date: 8 August 2018 11:11:40 AM
Hello
Regards,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82106
Thank you
From:
Subject: Free Speech and Don Brash
Like many others, I’m totally disgusted in Massey university’s attitude today. I will do everything I can
to dissuade my son and daughter (and any other people I speak to) of ever attending such a bigoted
globalist alt-left racist university like Massey.
I found your attitude to Don Brash today completely abhorrent!!!
I could say much more, but I know you won’t listen, so will end it there.
Thanks for at least showing your racist leftist views …. and us in the truth community can now steer
well clear of the politically biased offensive anti-free speech organisation you call a place of learning.
More like a communist Chinese or Muslim population control arm of the Government.
Totally disgusted beyond belief (as are so many others)

Cheers
To:
Hello
Regards,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82106
Thank you
From:
What a joke your Uni has become. It used to be universities were for FREE SPEECE AND DIFFERENT
IDEAS, but now, if you don’t agree with someone, slap on the label HATE SPEECE and say it’s too
dangerous to have them speak. There’s only ONE type of ‘’hate speech’’ going on here, and that’s
from Thomas. I really fear for New Zealand’s future with someone like her thinking she is doing
‘’right.’’ She is in fact doing the exact opposite and tearing this country apart. Why? Because people
who feel like me will think, ‘’this is absolute crap.’’ See what happened in America.? People dig their
heels in and vote for someone, ANYONE, who says enough is enough!
To:
Subject: RE: free speech
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Dear Sir/madame,
I wish to record my dismay/disgust at the university's decision to ban Don Brash from speaking.
I am no supporter of his views on many areas,but for an institution which should be the last
bastion of free speech,this is nothing short of disgraceful. The vice-chancellor is,in my
view,unfit for the position she holds,but I very much doubt if her fellow academics will have the
intestinal fortitude to demand that she retracts,or face dismissal.
This is yet another sad day for democracy.

To:
Subject: RE: Free speech.
Date: 8 August 2018 11:23:12 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Free speech.
Good morning comrades.You know that you will have to cancel talks / speeches from anyone that attends your
university if there is talk of violence on social media no matter how left or right they may be.It just shows how
stupid universities really are.
You have a nice day.Regards
Sent from my iPad
To:
Date: 8 August 2018 11:11:19 AM
Good Morning,
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
You are really pathetic, The left is not the only one’s that should be afforded free speech.
Gutless
To:
Subject: RE: free speech
Good Afternoon
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
I graduated from Massey with a BN in 1998 and have been part of the alumni organisation since then.
I no longer wish to have any association with Massey University and feel that the VC Jan Thomas has
brought the University into disrepute by her decision not to allow Dr Brash to speak to students.
Her comments that his opinions and those of Hobson’s pledge are “close to hate speech” are merely
her opinion. I am no supporter of Dr Brash and disagree with him on most things but I firmly believe
in his right to express his point of view. Universities are the perfect place for young people to be
exposed to a wide range of opinions, to debate and argue and challenge others. In this case I feel
Massey have shown poor judgement and a lack of leadership in this area.
--
This email or attachment(s) may contain confidential or legally privileged
information intended for the sole use of the addressee(s). Any use,
redistribution, disclosure, or reproduction of this message, except as
intended, is prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify
the sender and remove all copies of the message, including any attachments.
Any views or opinions expressed in this email (unless otherwise stated) may
not represent those of the DHB.
To: "
Subject: RE: Freedom of Speech in New Zealand
Date: 8 August 2018 11:29:35 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Freedom of Speech in New Zealand
To Whom It May Concern:

Following the idiotic decision of the Vice-Chancellor of Massey University to ban Dr. Don Brash from
speaking on the campus to those who may have been interested to listen to him, I have now made a donation to
Hobson's Pledge Trust as a way of protesting what I see as 'lefty intolerance' preventing people from hearing
other people's views.
As a New Zealander I regard us all as 'one people'. So tired of all the attempts to separate rather than unite us.
Am now completely over all the discriminatory policies, diversity nonsense, gender-fluidity garbage and lack of
competence or intellect invading New Zealand's academic scene.
The Massey University Vice-Chancellor has helped shame our national reputation as a free society.
She should resign forthwith and return to the infested academic scene fro whence she came.
She is in no way an asset to this country.
To:
Subject: RE: Freedom of Speech
Good Afternoon
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Attention:
As a graduate of Massey I wish to make known my immense displeasure in reading the effective
censorship and bowing to vocal minorities by Massey University.
Personally, I find this a black mark against the University and what Universities are supposed to stand
for.
At what stage now, has a precedent been set for any protest group to dictate what or who is heard at
Massey?
That needs to be considered.
I think there should be an invitation by the University to Mr Brash and have him come back and do
that speech.
That seems to the best way to right this wrong.
To:
Subject: RE: freedom of speech
Date: 8 August 2018 11:20:24 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: freedom of speech
To The council of Massey University
Dear sir/Madam
I wish to protest at the decision taken by Jan Thomas to ban Don Brash from speaking. That you should be
represented by such a person leaves you wide open. You are a university and as such should know what
freedom of speech is. There should be robust debate of all points of view. Not closing down a speaker in case
someone will be offended and to say that it is a security issue is ridiculous! Are gangs of thugs involved! Are
the ISIS fighters descending on us?
What we might of heard we will never know because this woman chose to shut Don Brash down. I have not
been a fan of Don Brash, but now I want to know what his views are. And if I dont like them, so what? I am the
better for it. The opportunity to compare and contract my views with his. The possibility of expanding my world
view!
At stake is freedom of speech! I want to hear you all stand up and up hold freedom of speech!
I am a graduate of Massey University. I never though I would be ashamed of this university. I am am now. I
want to know what you will be doing about this! All of you. On the Council!!
I would like a reply.
Jan Thomas should step down.
At the very least you should all make your positions on freedom of speech know. A university should be the
pinnacle of freedom of speech and should be holding robust debate not cowing in the shadows in case someone
is offended. Western Civilization has gone though centuries of struggle to get you and me this freedom.
Thomas Jefferson and his contemporaries have sweated and struggled to get a constitution and the rights of the
ordinary man or woman to speak and to listen. And you are represented by a woman who throws them away at
the hint of discention.
Stand up and make your voices known. i want to hear from you!!!!
Please reply
To:
Subject: RE: Freedom to speak but not at Massy
Date: 8 August 2018 11:27:22 AM
Good Morning,
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Freedom to speak but not at Massy
You should all hang your heads in shame.

To:
Subject: RE: Hate speech
Good Afternoon,
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Hate speech
Attn: Jan Thomas
Dear Madam,
I do not agree with your decision (or the decision of Massey university) to ban Dr Don brash from
speaking. The use of the “Thugs veto” doesn’t sit well with me and neither does your contempt of Dr
Brash’s politics. In fact I consider that your opinion amounts to hate speech because , according to a
prominent Politian, anyone who says anything they don’t agree with is using ‘hate speech” and you
are saying stuff I don’t agree with?
It makes me feel a little bit better to let you know that I will do whatever I can to hurt Massey
University over this. I will certainly not hire anyone who graduates from Massey or recommend
Massey to any student I have influence over. Unless this nonsense stops NZ will be in deep trouble
and some of us at least are prepared to stand and fight back rather than let you beat us down.
To:
Date: 8 August 2018 11:21:19 AM
Good Morning
The decision was not taken lightly. Safety is of paramount concern and the Vice-Chancellor has legal obligations in that regard. Concerns about security, including an online
suggestion of violence – one comment said bring a gun – were raised by the students from the club that invited Dr Brash to speak to. The Vice-Chancellor made the
decision, taking that threat into account as well as recent events that suggest the current situation is potentially volatile.
Nga mihi,

Massey University, National Contact Centre (PN141), Private Bag 11 222, Manawatu Mail Centre, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
Telephone: Auckland 64 9 414 0800 Extn 82103 | Wellington 64 4 801 5799 Extn 82103 | Palmerston North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Cc: Massey University,Thomas, Jan
Regards
From:
Importance: High
As a Massey University graduate I am shocked and extremely disappointed at the action taken by the VC to prevent Don Brash from
speaking at an event on campus.
The reasons given are no less than pathetic – and for a university to curtail free speech just beyond ironic!
Please delete my contact details from any university contact lists – I no longer wish to receive any correspondence.
Regards

To:
Auckland
Date: 21 August
Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Registration
To:
Subject: RE: I am ashamed of Massey University"s attack on Free Speech in NZ
Date: 8 August 2018 12:19:13 PM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
To: Massey University <contact@massey.ac.nz>;
Subject: I am ashamed of Massey University's attack on Free Speech in NZ
Hello,
I am an average Kiwi. A 37yo man in Auckland. A Labour Party voter in the 2017 election. I
do not support Don Brash and especially not his views on 'Hobsons Pledge' and many other
things he supports. While I do not in any way support him I do not think his views are in any
way violent, hate filled or inciting any sort of violence in our country. He has never incited any
violence before and I am a person who does not support him. Don Brash is a former Senior
politician in NZ and is often invited to speak in his capacity as such on NZ issues regarding law
and politics.
I am utterly ashamed that a NZ University would ban a former NZ politician from the party in
our parliament that has the most seats. When opposition politicians start getting banned from
public forums then NZ is starting down the road of fascism and dictatorship of the left. It also
shows me that not only the students at your university, but your staff and management do not
support free speech in New Zealand.
I call on the Leader of your university to resign over this

To:
Subject: RE: Jan Thomas
Date: 8 August 2018 12:00:25 PM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From: >
Subject: Jan Thomas
Good Evening
I am not for or against Mr Brash. I am for free speech.
Shame.
From:
Subject: Re: Just and simple Question,

Date: 8 August 2018 12:13:41 PM
I really don’t think it warrants a response. At most I would say, thank you for your
comments, because his questions are not really questions.
From:
To:
Cc: Jan
Hi
Maybe you could respond below.
Regards

To:
Hi
Brash speaking.
Thanks
From:
It is disgusting.
.
From:
To:
Cc:
Subject: RE: Letter for your attention
Thanks I will acknowledge receipt.
Regards,
From:
To:
Cc: >
Subject: FW: Letter for your attention
Importance: High
Hi
See attached
From:
To:
Subject: Letter for your attention
Importance: High
Dear Prof Thomas,
The attached letter is self-explanatory, with requests in addition to the official information
request emailed earlier.

To:
Subject: RE: Massey Magazine
Tena koe
Thank you for your email.
I have forwarded your email on to the Vice Chancellor Office for a response.
Should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Nga mihi,

Free Text: 5222
Enrolments for 2018 are still open: To enrol click here:

information on undergraduate and postgraduate degree and other study options. Find more
information here massey.ac.nz/infoevenings
Open Days: Open Days at Massey University are your chance to explore your future options. Held on
each campus, they give you an insight into study areas, accommodation, student life and more. Find
more information here massey.ac.nz/opendays
Please note: The content of this email is confidential and may also be legally privileged, intended for
the individual or entity named and should be read by the intended recipient only. If you are not the
intended recipient and have received this email in error, can you please notify the sender immediately
and delete the content from your system. Thank you.
From:
Cc:
Subject: Massey Magazine
Hello
I have a diploma and a post-graduate qualification from Massey University.
I am absolutely disgusted with the action of the VC to cancel a speech by Don Brash - I thought
universities were supposed to be the bastion of free speech.
So, please stop sending me your Massey Magazine and also begging letters - I want nothing more to
do with your university.
Please confirm by email that you have actioned the above requests.
Thanks
To:
Subject: RE: Massey University"s narrow minded bigoted Vice Chancellor
Date: 8 August 2018 11:05:26 AM
Hello
Regards,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82106
From:
Subject: Massey University's narrow minded bigoted Vice Chancellor
What an appalling decision by Massey University to ban free speech.
If, as the Vice-Chancellor said, there was talk on facebook about the potential of guns being brought onto
campus then surely that should be referred to the police.
I am absolutely disgusted by the narrow minded attitude of the university.
Universities have long been the bastions of free speech; places which encourage the sharing of differing views
and of robust debate.
Massey University, by this ridiculous decision, does not deserve to be known as a University.
Narrow minded bigotry as displayed by the hierarchy at Massey should be actively discouraged.
The Vice-Chancellor must be replaced.

To:
Date: 8 August 2018 11:28:07 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Message for Chancellor Jan Thomas
The suppression free speech in relation to Don Brash on a "university campus" is appalling.
YOUR JOB is to NOT ALLOW these leftist rabble control your university. Free speech is the victim and
a a leftist mob is the victor.
SHAME ON YOU.
... sent from phone
To:
Subject: RE: Message for the Vice-Chancellor and University Council
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Message for the Vice-Chancellor and University Council
Kia ora
As a former student of Massey University (SID - I would like to register my

concern about the recent decision by the Vice-Chancellor to ban Don Brash from speaking. I do
not for one instant believe that he posed a risk and to use safety as an excuse was a very weak
attempt to restrict his freedom of speech. I completely disagree with all that Dr Brash has to say
in relation to the Hobson's Choice group and his bigoted viewpoint on Te Ao Maori. However,
I believe that he has the right to come onto the campus and speak. Universities are meant to be
the critic and conscience of society and to that end, we should allow for someone such as Dr
Brash to have a chance to speak so that his views can be debated and debunked.
I would hope that this message is passed onto both the VC and the University Council as I
believe that this is an important issue that must be allowed to occur again.
With kind regards

To:
Subject: RE: My old mate Don Brash. Don Don, where have you gone
Date: 8 August 2018 12:07:08 PM
image003.png
image004.png
Good Afternoon
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: My old mate Don Brash. Don Don, where have you gone
This email is from .
Don Brash blocked from speaking at Massey University.
Newstalk ZB, Tuesday, 7 August 2018, 11:45AM.
Massey University has cancelled a Don Brash speaking event over safety and security
concerns.
The former politician and Hobson's Pledge founder was booked to speak with members of the
politics club at Massey's Manawatu campus tomorrow.
The university decided to scrap the event after becoming aware of social media posts
suggesting the event could turn violent.
Don Brash has been vocal in supporting free speech, including the rights of controversial
Canadians Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux to speak in the country.
Free Speech Coalition spokesman Dr David Cumin joins Leighton Smith to discuss the
universities decision.
Don Brash was invited to speak to a students' politics club, but vice-chancellor Jan Thomas
stopped the event after club members alerted the university to their concerns about ensuring
security and public safety.
Public safety???? Yeah right!
Time to have a Tui’s;

To:
Subject: RE: Please forward to Vice Chancellor Jan Thomas and Chancellor Michael Ahie
Date: 8 August 2018 11:56:39 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,
North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Professor Thomas
I can only presume by now you are feeling more than a little stupid at your personal ban on Dr Brash
speaking on the campus of Massey University.
I used to work at the University of Otago where, while I was in the support team, relished the
opportunity to attend a huge variety of lectures, discussions and debates on a huge range of
subjects. It was enlightening, instructive and an open environment.
You, on the other hand, seemed to have adopted the view that views and opinions that may differ
from your own are not welcome on the campus. Either that, or you are part of the movement
determined to rewrite history in ways mainly described as PC. Frankly, as an extremely highly paid
employee, you are charged with defending a variety of views and the rights to express them. To
justify your ban by saying that someone had threatened to bring a gun to the campus could have
been dealt with by the Police – who I’m picking never advised you to ban Dr Brash.
You should consider resigning your position forthwith – I have no doubts that you won’t do so, nor do
I expect even the courtesy of a reply.
You should be hanging your head in shame.

To: "
Subject: RE: please pass on my disgust at your Vice Chancellor`s actions that portray Massey poorly
Good Afternoon
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: please pass on my disgust at your Vice Chancellor`s actions that portray Massey poorly
Unbelievable ! no democracy in your university just breeding grounds for Left Wingers and minority’s
, no child of mine will ever step through your doors and I will put the boot into any person`s
aspiration`s when mentioning your university , that is unless a formal apology is made to the New
Zealand public and your Vice Chancellor is sacked immediately.
Kind Regards
To:
Subject: RE: Please pass onto the correct Faculty
Date: 8 August 2018 11:10:50 AM
Hello
Regards,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82106
Thank you
From:
Subject: Please pass onto the correct Faculty
To whom it may concern
As a past and grateful student briefly at the Albany Campus of Massey University, I have to
admit to feeling quite disappointed and surprised to hear Professor Jan Thomas Vice Chancellor
of Massey University put a stop to the discussion by Dr Don Brash on his experience as Leader
of the National Party. When there seems to have been no directive to do so (from the Police or
Campus Constable).
Professor Jan Thomas notes that evidence based freedom of speech is welcomed at Massey
but then blocks Dr Don Brash. I would have though he was well qualified and experienced to
present his views and evidential based dialoged while welcoming questioning.
Perhaps it would have been better to allow the discussion and provide the
structure/environment for others to respectfully question and listen to a range of views.
To the possible errant suggestion Dr Brash supported the views of some recent Canadian
visitors may be at best misleading. Instead Dr Brash has publicly stated he was supporting the
freedom of speech in New Zealand.
Shame on the protestor who is unable to use constructive dialogue in his views instead
tarnishing Massey University’s reputation for a constructive, honest and open dialogue. Maybe
the protestor should be guided to a less violent form of dialogue.
On the public platform this seems to have done no favors for Massey University and its Public
Relationship.
Still proud of Massey University

To:
Please Resign
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
To:
Cc: Massey University <contact@massey.ac.nz>
Subject: Please Resign
I write to you as a Massey University Alumnus (B.Tech (Hons) 1999) and employer of a
number of Massey graduates.
I am dismayed by several of your recent comments against free speech which utterly undermine
the University's role in leading critical thinking. Your misguided comments reflect so badly on
Massey University that they devalue qualifications of past and future graduates. I am frankly
embarrassed to be associated with a University who's head espouses the views that you choose
to share.
Should you want clarification of views that I am referring to, I am more than happy explain
further, but with the widespread condemnation of them, I'm sure your are more than aware.
Whilst you're welcome to personally hold the views that you do, I believe they are utterly
incompatible with the role of Vice Chancellor. I have been most unimpressed with the
explanations for them that I have read, and heard, from you.
Please do the right thing by the University and it's past, current and hopefully future students,
and restore some credibility by resigning your role.
Yours sincerely,
To:
Subject: RE: Re Don Brash
Date: 8 August 2018 11:04:24 AM
Hello
Regards,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82106
From:
Subject: Re Don Brash
I am not a fan of Don Brash but freedom of speech especially in a University is paramount in our society.
Christchurch
From:
To:
Subject: RE: Request under the Official Information Act 1982
Thanks
From:
Sent: Thursday, 9 August 2018 1:24 PM
To:
Another OIA, not sure if you already have this one.

To:
Hi
Please find below an OIA request regarding the cancellation of Don Brash speaking. As per our
process, we have forwarded this to the privacy officer to investigate and have not responded to the
email at this point.
Thanks

From:
Sent: Thursday, 9 August 2018 11:30:06 AM
To: Thomas, Jan,Massey University
Dear Ms Thomas,
2. Copies of all of your e-mail communications over the last three months regarding any
matter relating to Dr Don Brash, the event that Dr Brash was to speak at, anything relating
to information you received about the security situation, your views on the event, or any
information that you received.
3. Copies of all of your physical or written communications over the last three months
regarding any matter relating to Dr Don Brash, the event that Dr Brash was to speak at,
anything relating to information you received about the security situation, your views on
the event, or any information that you received.
4. Any other document held by the University regarding the event that Dr Brash was to
speak at.
invoices.
years.
Sincerely,
To:
Subject: RE: Send to VC - Don Brash ban
Hello
Regards,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82106
Thank you
From:
Subject: Send to VC - Don Brash ban
The VC
As a past student of Massey, I am disgusted by your decision to ban Don Brash from speaking
to the students. I have now gone from being a proud past student to an embarrassed past
student. This is a sad period for the rights of free speech in NZ. I will no longer be taking any
interest in what Massey is doing until either I hear of your resignation or dismissal.
To: "
Subject: RE: Shame on you Massey!
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Shame on you Massey!
To the Vice Chancellor
That ridiculous decision to block free speech is shameful and gutless. Especially for a
university which should allow multiple views. And to consider that Hobsons Pledge is hate
speech is plainly ignorant, it is the opposite of racist. Please wake up and reverse your decision
Regards
To:
Subject: RE: Shame!!!!!!!
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Shame!!!!!!!
I am appalled at the abysmal standard of leadership displayed by the University's Vice-Chancellor and
Chancellor in cancelling Don Brash's speaking engagement on the strength of supposed threats of violence,
without even consulting the police. It was sheer cowardliness and a
victory for terrorism and thuggery over the democratic right to freedom
of speech the university is supposed to uphold. Both Chancellor and
Vice Chancellor are unworthy of the positions they hold and should resign.
To:
Subject: RE: The Ostrich Theory
Good Afternoon
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: The Ostrich Theory
Vice chancellor Jan Thomas,

How can you be such an ignorant misinformed leader of a university?
Resign.
Shame on you.
To:
Subject: RE: The VC is a fink.
Date: 8 August 2018 11:07:50 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From: >
Subject: The VC is a fink.

To:
Subject: RE: Thomas Free Speech
Good Afternoon
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Thomas Free Speech
Attention -Jan Thomas
As an ex student of Massey I was moved to tears to think that you would stop Don
Brash speaking (I disaggree with most things he stands for )
What is this world coming to when we, the students can’t make up our own minds as
to what is valid / relevant or rubbish
You are not worthy of the position of leading young minds in the pursuit of
knowledge.
To: "
Subject: RE: VC"s decision to ban Don Brash
Date: 8 August 2018 11:05:42 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: VC's decision to ban Don Brash
As a Massey graduate (1974 and 1976) I am appalled by the decision of the VC’s decision to forbid
Don Brash speaking on the Campus.
It has brought the University into disrepute world wide and makes me feel uncomfortable about
being a member of the alumni.
Please convey this message to the Vice Chancellor.
To:
Subject: RE: Vice Chancellor resign
Date: 8 August 2018 11:22:37 AM
Good Morning,
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Vice Chancellor resign
Call for Vice Chancellor to resign she does not respect the position
To: "
Subject: RE: Vice-chancellor
Date: 8 August 2018 11:31:01 AM
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Vice-chancellor
v Vice-chancellor .
Wow , Larry achieved a KO in round 1 .
Message to parents ; cross Massey off.....
.
Sent from my iPhone

From:
To:
Subject: Re: Voice Mail (41 seconds)
Called him. I don’t believe he was a father whose son is considering Massey
University. He just wanted to have an argument and then hung up on me.
Probably working for one of the various campaigns that have sprung up against
us.
From:
To:
Subject: FW: Voice Mail (41 seconds)
Hi
Do you want to chat to this guy?
From: Microsoft Outlook On Behalf Of Unknown

To:
Subject: Voice Mail (41 seconds)
You received a voice message from Unknown at
Caller-Id:
To:
Subject: RE: Why did Jan Thomas let bullies win?
Good Morning
Nga mihi,

North 64 6 356 9099 Extn 82103
From:
Subject: Why did Jan Thomas let bullies win?
Hi,
The professor spoke many times of not letting groups be bullied.
Then she let bullies win by cancelling Brashe's visit.
With her explanation of her desicion, I think she's a hypocrite (aka liar,).
To:
Subject: Response Required: University Policy
Date: 8 August 2018 11:49:04 AM
Importance: High
Hi
We have received the below email which is regarding our university policies. Could you please
arrange a response?
Thanks
From:
Subject: University Policy
Vice-Chancellor Jan Thomas claims Massey University is, “A Tiriti led organisation”. I am
researching the “Treaty” in relation to a legal matter in the United Kingdom regarding the
unconstitutional actions of United Kingdom representatives in New Zealand.
The Treaty refers to Queen Victoria as “Queen of England” but there is no such office. The
correct and essential reference in a treaty of the sovereign state, of which England is only a part,
is: “Queen of the United Kingdom”. The Queen of the United Kingdom in the Parliament of the
United Kingdom form the government of the United Kingdom and it is government that is
essential to treaty making.
It is incumbent on the University to do due diligence on what it teaches as fact. The “Tiriti” has
no basis in law. It is very disturbing to see an educational institution make such false, misleading,
and ethnically biased claims in a policy statement. A university, by definition, should embrace all
ethnicities. You are advised to contact the British High Commission. Please inform me of the
outcome.
I hereby give notice that I intend to use the above statement in my submission. The reputation of
Jan Thomas and the University may be affected.
Kind regards,

Massey University Politics Society
C/o , Club Secretary
By hand
6 August 2018
Dear
Thank you for raising your concerns about the potential security risk and possible protest
relating to your event with Don Brash on campus on the 8th August and the club’s ability to
ensure your members, guests, and students and staff attending are safe before, during and after the
events conclusion.
Having considered that matter further following your meeting with our security team this
morning and having become aware of the concerns of some staff and students, including
some social media posts that suggest there will be protest and possibly violent protest, I have
decided to cancel the booking.
I acknowledge and thank you and your club committee for the steps you have taken to advise
Massey of this event but I am not satisfied that the proposed use of the venue would not
adversely affect Massey’s operation, security or reputation, or that of its staff and members
of the public
Yours sincerely
File notes re cancellation of venue for Politics Soc booking 8 August
Monday 6 August
VC made a decision to cancel the venue booking for the meeting scheduled by MPS for a discussion
with Don Brash.
I attempted to ring MUSA ( GM) at approx. 3.50pm with the intention of advising him of
our decision and to ask for his support in relation to contact details for the students and to ask if he
wanted to be involved in the planned conversation to let the student know. He didn’t answer his
phone and I didn’t leave a message.
I instead via cell phone and she was off campus but gave me the names of the students
they had meet with earlier that day and advised she would contact to get full names and
contact details.
emailed me first names for the three students and an email address for but as
it was now passed 4pm and I thought they might be off campus I call on his cell phone.
I explained to that the VC had decided that due to the volume of social media coverage
regarding protest and potentially violent protests as well as concerns that were being raised
regarding the event via email she had reluctantly decided that we could not host the meeting on
campus and that I was calling him to try and provide as much time as possible for them to find an
alternative venue in town. I offered to meet with him face to face if he was available and on campus
and he wasn’t so we agreed to meet the next morning at 8.30. was going to try and
contact his other committee members but confirmed either way he’s be able to attend. Gave him
directions and let him know I’d give him written notification of the venue cancellation when we met.
Tuesday 7th
and I meet with and 2 other students ( and
Thanks them for coming, acknowledge and thanked them for having brought the possible
demonstration to our attention and for being proactive in approaching us and acknowledged that
that in conjunction with the volume of email traffic starting to come into the university had made it
necessary for Jan to make a decision prior to the schedule meeting with police and the second
meeting scheduled with them. Talk about options for them relocating the meetings to town and
asked if they had been able to progress the search for alternative venues as they had discussed with
the day before. They said that finances constrained them from booking an alternative
venue and said that the University may be able to help with that. I raised the possibility of
them approaching the National Party or ACT party offices and hosting it there but they said they
were worried they’d face the same challenges there regarding control or protestor and were also
worried that it might make the number of students attending less and “not be worth Don’s time
attending” offered to call them on cell phone if he thought of any other venues
they might approach and I talk to them about contacting to decide if they were going to go
ahead with the scheduled meeting with her at 12.
The advised they would go off to make a decision regarding cancelling versus re-locating and when
asked about how they would go about letting Don know about the change of venue they advised
that they had already alerted him to the fact the Massey booking may be cancelled following their
meeting the previous day.
By around 11am they had posted a cancellation on FB so I didn’t make any further contact.
Case notes
Politics Club - Don Brash visit
Saturday 4 August 2018, 4.46pm
, Secretary of the Political Club emailed the Campus operations Service Desk.
See attached.
Monday 6 August 2018, 8.06am
(Campus Operations Service desk) forwards email to (Campus

Operations Manager) and (Team Leader, Security and Traffic).
See attached.
forwarded the email to (Deputy Registrar, Operations).
See attached.
confirmed with by phone that she and will be meeting with the Political Club,
Police will be invited and they will be reviewing the social media posts.
contacted Massey Constable to invite him to the meeting with the Political Club.
advised that he was on leave, but would contact his Sergeant who might be able to attend.
rang back to confirm that no one was available. Agreed to meet at 8.30am on Tuesday 7 August
with and
Monday 6 August 2018, noon
and met with and in ’s office.
thanked the Political Club for advising of their concerned. The group noted that approx. 10
people had confirmed but not likely to be more than 20 attendees. Estimated no more than half
dozen individuals making concerning posts on social media.
Political Club provided the link to their social media page.

advised that if the University has concerned regarding the event that it reserves the right
to cancel; this was followed by a brief discussion regarding options for an off campus venues if
required.
Discussed potential security arrangements i.e.
• Protestors would be allowed to protest so long as they did not intimidate others and did not
cause injury and or damage to people or property.
• Security would maintain a discrete distance and only intervene if Protestors did not adhere
to the above.
• Discussed location of the event and noted that there might be other more appropriate
locations on campus.
• Briefly noted emergency egress routes and position of CCTV.
noted that she and were meeting with the Campus Constable the following morning
at 8.30am. Group agreed to reconvene at noon the next day to agree final plans.
Monday 6 August 2018, 1:30pm
meet with Security Team ( and to discuss and plan for the visit.
Discussed following:
• A reminder that protestors are allowed to protest outside SSLB but not allowed to enter
building
• Guards to maintain at a discrete distance and only intervene if people or property are in
danger.
• One guard to be positioned inside SSLB others on the outside at a distance
• CCTV will monitor SSLB concourse entry
received call from confirming that VC has made the decision to cancel.
phoned and asked him to email the contact details for the Political Club so
that could call and advise them.
Tuesday 7 August 8.30am
and had meeting with Massey Constable to discuss Facebook posts.
Confirmed that VC had already made decision to cancel.
unsuccessfully attempted to contact Political Club to cancel meeting. Club representatives

arrived at 12:00pm. confirmed with and that in light of
cancellation no need to proceed with the planned meeting.
Campus Operations Manager
Massey University Politics Society
C/o , Club Secretary
By hand
6 August 2018
Dear
Thank you for raising your concerns about the potential security risk and possible protest
relating to your event with Don Brash on campus on the 8th August and the club’s ability to
ensure your members, guests, and students and staff attending are safe before, during and after the
events conclusion.
Having considered that matter further following your meeting with our security team this
morning and having become aware of the concerns of some staff and students, including
some social media posts that suggest there will be protest and possibly violent protest, I have
decided to cancel the booking.
I acknowledge and thank you and your club committee for the steps you have taken to advise
Massey of this event but I am not satisfied that the proposed use of the venue would not
adversely affect Massey’s operation, security or reputation, or that of its staff and members
of the public
Yours sincerely
File notes re cancellation of venue for Politics Soc booking 8 August
Monday 6 August
VC made a decision to cancel the venue booking for the meeting scheduled by MPS for a discussion
with Don Brash.
I attempted to ring MUSA ( GM) at approx. 3.50pm with the intention of advising him of
our decision and to ask for his support in relation to contact details for the students and to ask if he
wanted to be involved in the planned conversation to let the student know. He didn’t answer his
phone and I didn’t leave a message.
I instead via cell phone and she was off campus but gave me the names of the students
they had meet with earlier that day and advised she would contact to get full names and
contact details.
emailed me first names for the three students and an email address for but as
it was now passed 4pm and I thought they might be off campus I call on his cell phone.
I explained to that the VC had decided that due to the volume of social media coverage
regarding protest and potentially violent protests as well as concerns that were being raised
regarding the event via email she had reluctantly decided that we could not host the meeting on
campus and that I was calling him to try and provide as much time as possible for them to find an
alternative venue in town. I offered to meet with him face to face if he was available and on campus
and he wasn’t so we agreed to meet the next morning at 8.30. was going to try and
contact his other committee members but confirmed either way he’s be able to attend. Gave him
directions and let him know I’d give him written notification of the venue cancellation when we met.
Tuesday 7th
and I meet with and 2 other students ( and
Thanks them for coming, acknowledge and thanked them for having brought the possible
demonstration to our attention and for being proactive in approaching us and acknowledged that
that in conjunction with the volume of email traffic starting to come into the university had made it
necessary for Jan to make a decision prior to the schedule meeting with police and the second
meeting scheduled with them. Talk about options for them relocating the meetings to town and
asked if they had been able to progress the search for alternative venues as they had discussed with
the day before. They said that finances constrained them from booking an alternative
venue and said that the University may be able to help with that. I raised the possibility of
them approaching the National Party or ACT party offices and hosting it there but they said they
were worried they’d face the same challenges there regarding control or protestor and were also
worried that it might make the number of students attending less and “not be worth Don’s time
attending” offered to call them on cell phone if he thought of any other venues
they might approach and I talk to them about contacting to decide if they were going to go
ahead with the scheduled meeting with her at 12.
The advised they would go off to make a decision regarding cancelling versus re-locating and when
asked about how they would go about letting Don know about the change of venue they advised
that they had already alerted him to the fact the Massey booking may be cancelled following their
meeting the previous day.
By around 11am they had posted a cancellation on FB so I didn’t make any further contact.
Case notes
Politics Club - Don Brash visit
Saturday 4 August 2018, 4.46pm
, Secretary of the Political Club emailed the Campus operations Service Desk.
See attached.
(Campus Operations Service desk) forwards email to (Campus

Operations Manager) and (Team Leader, Security and Traffic).
See attached.
forwarded the email to (Deputy Registrar, Operations).
See attached.
confirmed with by phone that she and will be meeting with the Political Club,
Police will be invited and they will be reviewing the social media posts.
contacted Massey Constable to invite him to the meeting with the Political Club.
advised that he was on leave, but would contact his Sergeant who might be able to attend.
rang back to confirm that no one was available. Agreed to meet at 8.30am on Tuesday 7 August
with and
Monday 6 August 2018, noon
and met with and in ’s office.
thanked the Political Club for advising of their concerned. The group noted that approx. 10
people had confirmed but not likely to be more than 20 attendees. Estimated no more than half
dozen individuals making concerning posts on social media.
Political Club provided the link to their social media page.

advised that if the University has concerned regarding the event that it reserves the right
to cancel; this was followed by a brief discussion regarding options for an off campus venues if
required.
Discussed potential security arrangements i.e.
• Protestors would be allowed to protest so long as they did not intimidate others and did not
cause injury and or damage to people or property.
• Security would maintain a discrete distance and only intervene if Protestors did not adhere
to the above.
• Discussed location of the event and noted that there might be other more appropriate
locations on campus.
• Briefly noted emergency egress routes and position of CCTV.
noted that she and were meeting with the Campus Constable the following morning
at 8.30am. Group agreed to reconvene at noon the next day to agree final plans.
Monday 6 August 2018, 1:30pm
meet with Security Team ( and to discuss and plan for the visit.
Discussed following:
• A reminder that protestors are allowed to protest outside SSLB but not allowed to enter
building
• Guards to maintain at a discrete distance and only intervene if people or property are in
danger.
• One guard to be positioned inside SSLB others on the outside at a distance
• CCTV will monitor SSLB concourse entry
received call from confirming that VC has made the decision to cancel.
phoned and asked him to email the contact details for the Political Club so
that could call and advise them.
and had meeting with Massey Constable to discuss Facebook posts.
Confirmed that VC had already made decision to cancel.
unsuccessfully attempted to contact Political Club to cancel meeting. Club representatives

arrived at 12:00pm. confirmed with and that in light of
cancellation no need to proceed with the planned meeting.
Campus Operations Manager
https://www.facebook.com/karl.pearce.dotkiwi
https://www.facebook.com/karl.pearce.dotkiwi
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Short opinion piece for Massey site UPDATED
Date: 13 May 2018 7:45:39 AM
Attachments: Esslemont.docx
Kia ora Jan,

I've updated the opinion piece (attached) so disregard the one I sent to you on Friday. I've
sent it on to news media requesting it be published as an opinion piece.
Nga mihi
From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Subject: Re: Te Tiriti o Waitangi at Massey University

Date: 20 May 2018 1:01:24 PM
Kia ora koutou
- I am so sorry that this has happened to you and your staff and students.
You raise some very good points which we do need to work through. Some random
thoughts in no priority order-
1. Universities should be places where evidence based ideas and perspectives and debated
and discussed.
2. Often they are not ones that most of us would support but also respect people’s rights to
express.
I have over the years had moments where these issues have really challenged me as VC -
climate change deniers for example. However there are occasions where either the law or
the values of the university should over ride the freedom of speech. I have stopped
presentations by Christian preachers going ahead when their writings have degraded
women or gays and encouraged actions that were against human rights and indeed the law.
I am not sure this has happened at Massey but chances are it has. Knowing where we draw
the line is important and there are times when it’s not easy.
3. Turning these things into a debate can help but need significant advocacy from other
side to overcome the ‘headline factor’
4.I often think what would I prefer to stand behind on the front page of the media outlets -
university backing freedom of speech of racists or university backing its own values and
human rights generally
5. It would have been better if this didn’t occur. I suspect the impact on voters would be
minimal but the impact on our Maori communities could be major.
6: MUSA is not the university but is funded by the university. Respecting the values of the
university might be able to be built into expectations.
7. I will raise with MUSA separately. We may have already, I am not sure. Did they
initiated it or were they approached. I assume the later.
8. Outside organisations love to be associated with the university name and there may be
ways the hire of facilities generally could have some expectations built in re not
compromising our values. We may do this, just not sure.
9. This is a challenging time for us as we forge our Te Tiriti directions. How the university
handles these things needs to be part of these discussions.
10. I hope your staff are ok, esp as this behaviour was extremely disrespectful and
hurtful.
11. I was so saddened to see the results of the referendum. We have a lot more work to do
in Aotearoa. Perhaps we should consider a public lecture series or pub talks on the
Treaty.
Thanks for letting us know Kia kaha
Jan
Sent from my iPhone
On 20/05/2018, at 11:10 AM, > wrote:
E rau rangatira ma, tēna koutou.
In amidst thē immēnsē optimism, ēxcitēmēnt and positivity of Massēy

Graduation last wēēk, unfortunatēly I writē to you this rēgarding a somēwhat
morē nēgativē issuē. Yēt it is onē that is nonēthēlēss critical in thē broadēr
contēxt of our Univērsity. You may by now havē havē hēard about thē rēsults
of thē binding rēfērēndum for ēstablishmēnt of Maori Wards hērē in
Palmērston North and Manawatu . Thē outcomē mēans that Maori Wards will
not bē ēstablishēd in ēithēr Palmērston North nor Manawatu. This is not
altogēthēr surprising particularly givēn thē naturē of ēvēnts and campaigning
undērtakēn ovēr rēcēnt wēēks and days.
It rēmains concērning, howēvēr, that wē as a Tē Tiriti-lēd Univērsity may havē

bēēn unknowingly complicit in this rēsult by ēnabling thē voicēs of an
ovērtly anti-Maori movēmēnt to diminish thē valuē of Tē Tiriti o Waitangi hērē
at Massēy Univērsity by providing thēm with a platform to ēxhibit blatant
disrēgard for thē rights of Maori as Tē Tiriti partnērs and for thē status of Tē
Rēo Maori as an official languagē of this country. This occurrēd in thē hēart of
our campus at MUSA Loungē two wēēks ago and thē opportunity that was
crēatēd ēnablēd thē usē of dēstructivē and damaging rhētoric to dēscribē
opportunitiēs for incrēasēd Maori participation at city and rēgional council-
lēvēl. It is important that Sēnior Lēadērship and thē Univērsity
Council considēr whērē thē Univērsity ought to stand on thēsē mattērs.
Morēovēr, you may havē rēad thē articlē on Stuff last wēēk dēscribing thē
actions that occurrēd during thē mihi whakatau givēn by our highly rēspēctēd
and sēnior Maori acadēmic . It is concērning that such disrēspēct
could havē bēēn shown towards particularly this day in agē. Of coursē a
Univērsity is a placē whērē all viēws, pērspēctivēs and thēoriēs can and should
bē sharēd, dēbatēd and considērēd. A Tē Tiriti-lēd Univērsity, howēvēr, is not
a placē whērē anti-Maori actions, sēntimēnts and anti-Maori movēmēnts
should bē wēlcomēd nor givēn a platform to pērsuadē thē hēarts and minds of
our studēnts and to boost mēmbērship and support. Wē cannot and should
not allow this to dēfinē what it mēans for us to bē Tē Tiriti-lēd.
Tē Tiriti o Waitangi givēs ēmphasis to thrēē corē principlēs, namēly:
Protēction of Maori knowlēdgē, rights & taonga;
Partnērship with Maori and bētwēēn Maori and Pakēha as Tē Tiriti
partnērs;
Participation by Maori in all arēas of sociēty.
Thē instigation of thē dēbatē by studēnts and thē subsēquēnt invitation to

mēmbērs of Hobson's Plēdgē crēatēd a forum whērē ēach of thēsē principlēs
wērē sēvērēly undērminēd and disrēgardēd. I am ēxtrēmēly apprēciativē of
thē communication and support from and
in thē lēad up to thē dēbatē, whērēby wē triēd to find a way to at
lēast mitigatē thē risks of what was alrēady taking placē. Thē dēbatē did go
ahēad, but it sēēmēd that arrangēmēnts wērē alrēady wēll undērway by thē
timē it camē to our knowlēdgē. I am not surē that thērē was not too much
ēlsē anyonē could havē bēēn donē to cancēl things at that point.
I cērtainly don't wish to draw too much ēmphasis to thē ēvēnt itsēlf, but
rathēr, to ēncouragē furthēr discussion amongst thē Sēnior Lēadērship Tēam
of thē Univērsity and pērhaps Council around thē opportunity to continuē to
dēvēlop a clēarly dēfinēd Tē Tiriti o Waitangi Policy to guidē thē Univērsity in
mattērs such as this. With thē nēw Massēy Stratēgy now fully ēmbēddēd, a
Massēy Univērsity Tē Tiriti o Waitangi Policy might ēncompass all facēts of
Univērsity activity including rēcruitmēnt, ēnrolmēnt, studēnt support,
Univērsity activitiēs & ēvēnts, ēquity and ēngagēmēnt.
I sincērēly hopē that our Maori staff and studēnts do not dwēll too much
furthēr on thē impact of thē dēbatē, dēspitē thē fact that it is has both causēd
and rēignitēd gēnuinē pain, prēssurē and distrēss for many. I would instēad
implorē us all to support thē Univērsity in thē work that is bēing donē to
instigatē positivē, mēaningful and ēnduring changē. I also ēncouragē us to
kēēp ēxploring what it mēans for Massēy Univērsity to bē Tē Tiriti-lēd.
Morēovēr, how might wē givē gēnuinē and mēaningful ēxprēssion to thē
principlēs of Partnērship, Protēction and Participation? Thēsē arē thē
challēngēs that wē facē but thērē arē also significant opportunitiēs within this
work. I havē ēvēry ēxpēctation that with continuēd support, partnērship and
goodwill wē will gēt thērē.
Kia kaha ra tatou, kia u, kia mau, kia manawanui,

From: Thomas, Jan
To:

Date: 21 May 2018 2:11:39 AM
Thanks for the clarification

J
Sent from my iPhone
On 20/05/2018, at 11:33 AM, wrote:
Kia ora Jan me o kupu tautoko ki raro nei.
Thank-you for your wise advice and guidance in these matters.
Just to clarify, the debate was organised by BA students enrolled in the paper
"Tutira Mai" and not members of MUSA. MUSA members were very
supportive of Maori staff and students who were there.
I think the students who arranged the event did so with good intentions but
were blissfully unaware of the wider implications and repercussions that it
would have upon tangata whenua - staff and students alike. I still struggle to
understand why students would be encouraged to host a forum that
frames Maori representation as an "issue to debated".
Regardless, we have all taken some useful lessons from this and as a
University I am certain that in future, we will at least be more aware of the
potential for negative fallout.
I agree also that the impact on the final outcome of the referendum will have
been minimal. The sheer numbers of Hobson's Pledge members who
descended upon the MUSA Lounge demonstrated the extent of their desire to
be so vehemently heard. I sense the organisers were not aware of what had
happened in events earlier that month across the Manawatu.
as you know is always well intentioned, has thick skin and is not easily
intimidated, nonetheless, it was difficult to witness what happened and the
situation has had an impact upon many of those who were there.
I certainly like the idea of a series of Public Talks and would be happy to help
facilitate something along these lines - perhaps a series of presentations that
are evidence based, reasoned and in line with what one might expect from
the Academy.
Finally, please know that there are many other for more positive and time
worthy matters to be discussing and I will leave these issues here simply as
something to consider as we continue to grow and evolve as a Te Tiriti-led
University.
Nga mihi nui ano,
From: Thomas, Jan

Sent: Sunday, 20 May 2018 1:01:18 PM
To:
Cc:
Kia ora koutou
- I am so sorry that this has happened to you and your staff and
students.
You raise some very good points which we do need to work through. Some
random thoughts in no priority order-
1. Universities should be places where evidence based ideas and perspectives

and debated and discussed.
2. Often they are not ones that most of us would support but also respect
people’s rights to express.
I have over the years had moments where these issues have really challenged
me as VC - climate change deniers for example. However there are occasions
where either the law or the values of the university should over ride the
freedom of speech. I have stopped presentations by Christian preachers
going ahead when their writings have degraded women or gays and
encouraged actions that were against human rights and indeed the law. I am
not sure this has happened at Massey but chances are it has. Knowing where
we draw the line is important and there are times when it’s not easy.
3. Turning these things into a debate can help but need significant advocacy
from other side to overcome the ‘headline factor’
4.I often think what would I prefer to stand behind on the front page of the
media outlets - university backing freedom of speech of racists or university
backing its own values and human rights generally
5. It would have been better if this didn’t occur. I suspect the impact on voters
would be minimal but the impact on our Maori communities could be major.
6: MUSA is not the university but is funded by the university. Respecting the
values of the university might be able to be built into expectations.
7. I will raise with MUSA separately. We may have already, I am not sure.
Did they initiated it or were they approached. I assume the later.
8. Outside organisations love to be associated with the university name and
there may be ways the hire of facilities generally could have some
expectations built in re not compromising our values. We may do this, just not
sure.
9. This is a challenging time for us as we forge our Te Tiriti directions. How

the university handles these things needs to be part of these discussions.
10. I hope your staff are ok, esp as this behaviour was extremely
disrespectful and hurtful.
11. I was so saddened to see the results of the referendum. We have a lot more
work to do in Aotearoa. Perhaps we should consider a public lecture series or
pub talks on the Treaty.
Jan
Sent from my iPhone
On 20/05/2018, at 11:10 AM, >

wrote:
E rau rangatira ma, tena koutou.
In amidst the immense optimism, excitement and positivity of

Massey Graduation last week, unfortunately I write to you
this regarding a somewhat more negative issue. Yet it is one that
is nonetheless critical in the broader context of our University.
You may by now have have heard about the results of the
binding referendum for establishment of Maori Wards here in
Palmerston North and Manawatu . The outcome means that
Maori Wards will not be established in either Palmerston North
nor Manawatu. This is not altogether surprising particularly given
the nature of events and campaigning undertaken over recent
weeks and days.
It remains concerning, however, that we as a Te Tiriti-led

University may have been unknowingly complicit in this result by
enabling the voices of an overtly anti-Maori movement to
diminish the value of Te Tiriti o Waitangi here at Massey
University by providing them with a platform to exhibit blatant
disregard for the rights of Maori as Te Tiriti partners and for the
status of Te Reo Maori as an official language of this country. This
occurred in the heart of our campus at MUSA Lounge two weeks
ago and the opportunity that was created enabled the use
of destructive and damaging rhetoric to describe opportunities
for increased Maori participation at city and regional council-
level. It is important that Senior Leadership and the University
Council consider where the University ought to stand on these
matters.
Moreover, you may have read the article on Stuff last week
describing the actions that occurred during the mihi whakatau
given by our highly respected and senior Maori academic
It is concerning that such disrespect could have been
shown towards particularly this day in age. Of course a
University is a place where all views, perspectives and theories
can and should be shared, debated and considered. A Te Tiriti-
led University, however, is not a place where anti-Maori
actions, sentiments and anti-Maori movements should be
welcomed nor given a platform to persuade the hearts and minds
of our students and to boost membership and support. We
cannot and should not allow this to define what it means for us to
be Te Tiriti-led.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi gives emphasis to three core principles,

namely:
Protection of Maori knowledge, rights & taonga;
Partnership with Maori and between Maori and Pakeha as
Te Tiriti partners;
Participation by Maori in all areas of society.
The instigation of the debate by students and the subsequent

invitation to members of Hobson's Pledge created a forum where
each of these principles were severely undermined and
disregarded. I am extremely appreciative of the communication
and support from and
in the lead up to the debate, whereby we tried to find a way to at
least mitigate the risks of what was already taking place. The
debate did go ahead, but it seemed that arrangements
were already well underway by the time it came to our
knowledge. I am not sure that there was not too much else
anyone could have been done to cancel things at that point.
I certainly don't wish to draw too much emphasis to the event

itself, but rather, to encourage further discussion amongst the
Senior Leadership Team of the University and perhaps Council
around the opportunity to continue to develop a clearly defined
Te Tiriti o Waitangi Policy to guide the University in matters such
as this. With the new Massey Strategy now fully embedded, a
Massey University Te Tiriti o Waitangi Policy might encompass all
facets of University activity including recruitment, enrolment,
student support, University activities & events, equity
and engagement.
I sincerely hope that our Maori staff and students do not dwell
too much further on the impact of the debate, despite the fact
that it is has both caused and reignited genuine pain,
pressure and distress for many. I would instead implore us all
to support the University in the work that is being done to
instigate positive, meaningful and enduring change. I
also encourage us to keep exploring what it means for Massey
University to be Te Tiriti-led. Moreover, how might we give
genuine and meaningful expression to the principles of
Partnership, Protection and Participation? These are the
challenges that we face but there are also significant
opportunities within this work. I have every expectation that with
continued support, partnership and goodwill we will get there.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan;
Subject: RE: Te Tiriti o Waitangi at Massey University

Date: 23 May 2018 7:27:34 PM
Kia Ora
Sorry about the delay in coming back to you. And thanks for your views and raising the concerns.
As one response, I think we should make this an agenda item at CEG so that you/me can raise
the issues and we can have a discussion, both about the issues raised by this event and what we
might do differently. I would like to be present as the incoming Director (Arts) so
that he is aware of the concerns and is able to be involved in any developments.
Jan has made a series of points that I agree with, and I am very supportive of the suggestion that
we arrange a series of public talks.
From: Thomas, Jan

Sent: Monday, 21 May 2018 2:12 AM
To:
Cc:

J
Sent from my iPhone
On 20/05/2018, at 11:33 wrote:
the Academy.
University.
Nga mihi nui ano,
From: Thomas, Jan

To:
Cc:
Kia ora koutou
students.


sure.

Jan
Sent from my iPhone
On 20/05/2018, at 11:10 AM, >

From:
; Thomas, Jan;
Cc:
Date: 23 May 2018 8:20:25 PM
Kia ora ano in addition I think because we had a similar but different situation last year with the
Students wanting to take a Claim to the Waitangi Tribunal regarding teaching the NZ Wars in
Schools, this is a space where they want to challenge boundaries and thinking. I think they
would be better prepared if there was more Te Tiriti, Tikanga and Reo in Turangawaewae or the
other core papers preparing them for Tu Tira Mai. Otherwise when they head into the public
arena as they did last year and last week, many of the students in the mix feel unsafe and
unprepared.
Na
From:
Sent: Wednesday, 23 May 2018 7:28 PM
To: Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>;
Cc:
Kia Ora
Sorry about the delay in coming back to you. And thanks for your views and raising the concerns.
As one response, I think we should make this an agenda item at CEG so that you/me can raise
the issues and we can have a discussion, both about the issues raised by this event and what we
might do differently. I would like to be present as the incoming Director (Arts) so
that he is aware of the concerns and is able to be involved in any developments.
Jan has made a series of points that I agree with, and I am very supportive of the suggestion that
we arrange a series of public talks.
From:
To: ; Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Date: 23 May 2018 10:50:49 PM
Kia ora all - yes, I think this would certainly help. I had a very positive discussion with
Prof (CoHSS) on Monday around these and other related issues. is
moving into a new role in July to oversee the and this discussion is one that I think he
would be very interested in supporting.
From:
Sent: Wednesday, 23 May 2018 8:20:19 p.m.
To: Thomas, Jan;
Cc:
Kia ora ano in addition I think because we had a similar but different situation last year with the
Students wanting to take a Claim to the Waitangi Tribunal regarding teaching the NZ Wars in
Schools, this is a space where they want to challenge boundaries and thinking. I think they
would be better prepared if there was more Te Tiriti, Tikanga and Reo in Turangawaewae or the
other core papers preparing them for Tu Tira Mai. Otherwise when they head into the public
arena as they did last year and last week, many of the students in the mix feel unsafe and
unprepared.
Na
From:
2018 7:28 PM
Cc:
Kia Ora
From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Cc:
Subject: Re: Student Presidents agenda
Date: 24 May 2018 4:51:52 PM
Can we add
Hobson’s Pledge event.
And to the bullying item
Students bullying of staff - how can we work together to prevent this.
Thanks
Sent from my iPhone
On 24/05/2018, at 2:00 PM, wrote:
Hi Jan, Mondays agenda for your approval. Thanks
Student_Presidents_Agenda.docx>
From:
Cc: ; Thomas, Jan

Subject: RE: Student Presidents agenda
Date: 24 May 2018 5:09:51 PM
Hi
Could you also add Official Information Act Requests to the agenda please.
Thanks
From: Thomas, Jan

Sent: Thursday, 24 May 2018 4:52 PM
To:
Cc:
Subject: Re: Student Presidents agenda
Can we add
Hobson’s Pledge event.
And to the bullying item
Students bullying of staff - how can we work together to prevent this.
Thanks
Sent from my iPhone
On 24/05/2018, at 2:00 PM, > wrote:
<image001.jpg>
<180528_Student_Presidents_Agenda.docx>
From: Thomas, Jan
Sent: Monday, 21 May 2018 2:12 AM
To:

J
Sent from my iPhone
On 20/05/2018, at 11:33 AM, wrote:
the Academy.
University.
Nga mihi nui ano,
From: Thomas, Jan

To:
Cc:
Kia ora koutou
students.


sure.

Jan
Sent from my iPhone
On 20/05/2018, at 11:10 AM,

wrote:
E rau rangatira ma, tena koutou.
In amidst the immense optimism, excitement and positivity of

Massey Graduation last week, unfortunately I write to you
this regarding a somewhat more negative issue. Yet it is one that
is nonetheless critical in the broader context of our University.
You may by now have have heard about the results of the
binding referendum for establishment of Maori Wards here in
Palmerston North and Manawatu . The outcome means that
Maori Wards will not be established in either Palmerston North
nor Manawatu. This is not altogether surprising particularly given
the nature of events and campaigning undertaken over recent
weeks and days.
It remains concerning, however, that we as a Te Tiriti-led

University may have been unknowingly complicit in this result by
enabling the voices of an overtly anti-Maori movement to
diminish the value of Te Tiriti o Waitangi here at Massey
University by providing them with a platform to exhibit blatant
disregard for the rights of Maori as Te Tiriti partners and for the
status of Te Reo Maori as an official language of this country. This
occurred in the heart of our campus at MUSA Lounge two weeks
ago and the opportunity that was created enabled the use
of destructive and damaging rhetoric to describe opportunities
for increased Maori participation at city and regional council-
level. It is important that Senior Leadership and the University
Council consider where the University ought to stand on these
matters.
Moreover, you may have read the article on Stuff last week
describing the actions that occurred during the mihi whakatau
given by our highly respected and senior Maori academic
It is concerning that such disrespect could have been
shown towards particularly this day in age. Of course a
University is a place where all views, perspectives and theories
can and should be shared, debated and considered. A Te Tiriti-
led University, however, is not a place where anti-Maori
actions, sentiments and anti-Maori movements should be
welcomed nor given a platform to persuade the hearts and minds
of our students and to boost membership and support. We
cannot and should not allow this to define what it means for us to
be Te Tiriti-led.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi gives emphasis to three core principles,

namely:
Protection of Maori knowledge, rights & taonga;

Partnership with Maori and between Maori and Pakeha as
Te Tiriti partners;
Participation by Maori in all areas of society.
The instigation of the debate by students and the subsequent

invitation to members of Hobson's Pledge created a forum where
each of these principles were severely undermined and
disregarded. I am extremely appreciative of the communication
and support from , and
in the lead up to the debate, whereby we tried to find a way to at
least mitigate the risks of what was already taking place. The
debate did go ahead, but it seemed that arrangements
were already well underway by the time it came to our
knowledge. I am not sure that there was not too much else
anyone could have been done to cancel things at that point.
I certainly don't wish to draw too much emphasis to the event

itself, but rather, to encourage further discussion amongst the
Senior Leadership Team of the University and perhaps Council
around the opportunity to continue to develop a clearly defined
Te Tiriti o Waitangi Policy to guide the University in matters such
as this. With the new Massey Strategy now fully embedded, a
Massey University Te Tiriti o Waitangi Policy might encompass all
facets of University activity including recruitment, enrolment,
student support, University activities & events, equity
and engagement.
I sincerely hope that our Maori staff and students do not dwell
too much further on the impact of the debate, despite the fact
that it is has both caused and reignited genuine pain,
pressure and distress for many. I would instead implore us all
to support the University in the work that is being done to
instigate positive, meaningful and enduring change. I
also encourage us to keep exploring what it means for Massey
University to be Te Tiriti-led. Moreover, how might we give
genuine and meaningful expression to the principles of
Partnership, Protection and Participation? These are the
challenges that we face but there are also significant
opportunities within this work. I have every expectation that with
continued support, partnership and goodwill we will get there.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Politics Club
Date: 9 July 2018 10:37:40 AM
Greeting Vice Chancellor Jan Thomas.
My name is I’m a current Massey University 3rd year student acting as Secretary
of the Massey Manawatu politics club on the Palmerston north campus.
I’m writing to inform you of our events that will be taking place during semester 2, which we
have the right honourable Don Brash former National Party MP, Simon Bridges the current
National Party leader and Chris Bishop another National Party MP.
We though it necessary to notify you of this event a month prior to the first event to ask if you
would desire to come to the events as an observer.
The arrange structure that we have currently organised with the coming politicians is an informal
and casual setting with no formal ceremony or greetings, more of just a one to one chat with the
politicians to learn of their lives in the environment of politics, experiences and future
aspirations.
The current dates set for the meeting will be held of the 8th of august at 11.00 Am for Don Brash,
10th of August at 3.00 Pm for Simon Bridges and 15th of August at 11.00 Am for Chris Bishop, of
which the location of the events on the Palmerston north campus will be confirmed at a later
date in posters and online event pages.
It would be much appreciated if you joined us of the Massey Politics Club to help bring politics
back into the lives of the students.
Thank you for the time you have spent reading this email.
Kind regards.
Secretary of the Massey Manawatu Politics Society.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: FW: Politics Club
Date: 9 July 2018 4:05:40 PM
Hi Jan
None of these dates work for you – first one clashes with SLT, 2nd you are in Wellington and third
you will be visiting Esplanade Wildbase with
From:
Sent: 9 July 2018 10:37 AM
To: Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>
My name is , I’m a current Massey University 3rd year student acting as Secretary
of the Massey Manawatu politics club on the Palmerston north campus.
I’m writing to inform you of our events that will be taking place during semester 2, which we
have the right honourable Don Brash former National Party MP, Simon Bridges the current
National Party leader and Chris Bishop another National Party MP.
We though it necessary to notify you of this event a month prior to the first event to ask if you
would desire to come to the events as an observer.
The arrange structure that we have currently organised with the coming politicians is an informal
and casual setting with no formal ceremony or greetings, more of just a one to one chat with the
politicians to learn of their lives in the environment of politics, experiences and future
aspirations.
The current dates set for the meeting will be held of the 8th of august at 11.00 Am for Don Brash,
10th of August at 3.00 Pm for Simon Bridges and 15th of August at 11.00 Am for Chris Bishop, of
which the location of the events on the Palmerston north campus will be confirmed at a later
date in posters and online event pages.
It would be much appreciated if you joined us of the Massey Politics Club to help bring politics
back into the lives of the students.
Kind regards.
.
From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Subject: Re: Politics Club
Date: 9 July 2018 4:59:38 PM
Ok however Donald Brash was v racist re Maori and Maori seat.
What do we currently have re restrictions in this regard

Student club yes but using university facilities gives tactic endorsement.
I do not want a te tiriti led university be seen to be endorsing racist behaviours
Can you in the first instance see what and think about this and what we can
do to manage, minimise etc
I don’t want a repeat of that horrible incident a few months ago
Ta
Jan
Sent from my iPhone
On 9/07/2018, at 6:05 AM,

wrote:
Hi Jan
None of these dates work for you – first one clashes with SLT, 2nd you are in
Wellington and third you will be visiting Esplanade Wildbase with
From: >
Sent: 9 July 2018 10:37 AM
My name is , I’m a current Massey University 3rd year student acting

as Secretary of the Massey Manawatu politics club on the Palmerston north
campus.
I’m writing to inform you of our events that will be taking place during semester 2,
which we have the right honourable Don Brash former National Party MP, Simon
Bridges the current National Party leader and Chris Bishop another National Party
MP.
We though it necessary to notify you of this event a month prior to the first event
to ask if you would desire to come to the events as an observer.
The arrange structure that we have currently organised with the coming politicians
is an informal and casual setting with no formal ceremony or greetings, more of just
a one to one chat with the politicians to learn of their lives in the environment of
politics, experiences and future aspirations.
The current dates set for the meeting will be held of the 8th of august at 11.00 Am
for Don Brash, 10th of August at 3.00 Pm for Simon Bridges and 15th of August at
11.00 Am for Chris Bishop, of which the location of the events on the Palmerston
north campus will be confirmed at a later date in posters and online event pages.
It would be much appreciated if you joined us of the Massey Politics Club to help
bring politics back into the lives of the students.
Kind regards.
.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re: Politics club and Don Brash
Date: 10 July 2018 7:59:35 PM
I emailed them both today and copied in as well but haven't heard back so will follow
up tomorrow.
Sent from my Samsung device
-------- Original message --------

From: "Thomas, Jan" <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>
Date: 10/07/18 7:18 PM (GMT+12:00)
To: "
Subject: Politics club and Don Brash
Hiya
This is on my mind. I know is on leave but any advance on discussion. ?
I would like to know what are our options re not allowing politics club to hold event on campus -
free to hold event but not with any inference of support by university. Will hit the fan in the
media if we go this way. However, racist behaviour of Brash - given te reo is a offical language
of NZ and we are a tiriti led university - can’t be ignored. If goes ahead could be on condition
that Brash and others agree to respect the values of the university etc etc ? But would be good if
we can cut off at pass some how
J
Sent from my iPhone

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Fwd: Politics Club
Date: 10 July 2018 9:04:31 PM
Fyi

From:
Date: 10/07/18 8:19 PM (GMT+12:00)
To:
Kia ora
Really tricky but I will give this one a go. Mindful of this recent issue:
My view is that as a University, we have a role as critic and conscience, so we should be

able to ‘speak truth to power’ and welcome a diversity of views – and encourage this in
our students. I’m reminded of Kent Clark’s famous comments (he was VC of the University
of California in the 1960s) when he stated that ‘the role of universities is not to make ideas
safe for students, but to make students safe for ideas.’ Frankly, I think we’d have a much
bigger problem if we prevented this occurring – given these are already politically minded
students, there would be a high risk they would take this decision straight to the media. In
other words, I think we would buy into a fight we don’t want to have.
Some students (P North based and enrolled in the BA) already think there is a ‘left wing
conspiracy’ dominant narrative – this was raised with the VC at the MUSA forum recently.
I’ve discussed with how we can address this. So, withdrawing University
support, however tacit or intangible it might be, would risk playing into the hands of those
who think we are already running a political agenda.
I completely understand the alternative view – i.e. the risk of the University being seen to
endorse ugly views. Brash authored unsavoury and frankly racist policies and his recent
‘Hobson’s Choice’ campaign was pretty powerful in the Manawatu in pushing back on the
Maori seats. But he’s not being invited for his racist views, he is being asked to speak as a
National party politician – I think there is a difference here.
So – playing this forward: Brash says something abhorrent, and it makes the Manawatu
Standard. They draw the link with our te Tiriti commitments. We respond saying that as a
university we encourage a diversity of views, but in no way endorse those views.
In summary, I see the risk here, but I also see the bigger risk is that if we say no, then we
will be seen as suppressing free speech and we will have a huge backlash from the student
body and possibly the community.
Naku noa, na,
From: "
Date: Tuesday, 10 July 2018 at 10:07 AM
To:
Cc: "
Hi
See invite to VC below from the Politics Club. The VC is unavailable for all three events however she
is concerned re Donald Brash and says he was v racist re Maori and Maori seat. The VC would like to
know what do we currently have re restrictions in this regard - Student club yes but using university
facilities gives tactic endorsement. She does not want as a te tiriti led university to be seen to be
endorsing racist behaviours, so in first instance would like to know what you think about this and what
we can do to manage, minimise etc. She does not want a repeat of the horrible incident a few
months ago.
Regards
From: >
Sent: 9 July 2018 10:37 AM
My name is , I’m a current Massey University 3rd year student acting

as Secretary of the Massey Manawatu politics club on the Palmerston north
campus.
I’m writing to inform you of our events that will be taking place during semester 2,
which we have the right honourable Don Brash former National Party MP, Simon
Bridges the current National Party leader and Chris Bishop another National Party
MP.
We though it necessary to notify you of this event a month prior to the first event
to ask if you would desire to come to the events as an observer.
The arrange structure that we have currently organised with the coming politicians
is an informal and casual setting with no formal ceremony or greetings, more of just
a one to one chat with the politicians to learn of their lives in the environment of
politics, experiences and future aspirations.
The current dates set for the meeting will be held of the 8th of august at 11.00 Am
for Don Brash, 10th of August at 3.00 Pm for Simon Bridges and 15th of August at
11.00 Am for Chris Bishop, of which the location of the events on the Palmerston
north campus will be confirmed at a later date in posters and online event pages.
It would be much appreciated if you joined us of the Massey Politics Club to help
bring politics back into the lives of the students.
Kind regards.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Date: 11 July 2018 8:40:50 PM
Good evening all and apologies for my silence thus far.
I spoke with this morning and was going to pen a reply and then reread the initial
email and thought I should look at some options.
In summary under the Massey Events policy we can require groups to apply to run an
event in or off campus if it is to be a ‘Massey Endorsed’ event and then I would be
required to approve or not approve the event. This is not ideal as they are not proposing it
as a Massey endorsed event nor are they, as far as I can ascertain, an affiliated Massey
Club.
There are no criteria in the policy (which I note is currently being extensively redrafted)
regarding what we will and won’t approve and as they aren’t seeking car parking space,
security support or a liquor permit the grounds for me declining it may well be challenged
and as per email yesterday I think would present a very real risk of us being
accused restricting free speech etc.
They do say they are going advertise using posters and the online event schedule and have
absolute ability to manage the content of both of those platforms (assuming they compile
with policy they need approval to post notices), likewise if and when they go to seek a
venue we can manage the location and size of that. They may however choose to use a
College based venue which wouldn’t ordinarily come to my teams attention so we’d need
to work with Colleges to know if that was the case.
I am happy to meet with student secretary to explore the numbers, agenda, format of event
they are planning if we think that would be helpful?
I’m writing this from my phone while travelling so apologies if it’s a bit rambling
Massey University
On 11/07/2018, at 7:04 PM, Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
Thanks for the thoughtful response. Brash isn’t currently a sitting politician.
So I can only imagine why he has been invited - because of his controversial
views on Maori.
In previous universities I have seen that when there is use of venues on

campus by external parties, then they agree to abide by university policies etc.
this includes recognising that hate speech is not acceptable, human rights etc
etc. I used that to not allow speakers with obscene views on women or gays
for example to not use campus facilities. I am not sure we have such a thing (
- and the added complication is that the use of the venue will be from
one of our student clubs.
At the very least I think we would need to have warnings so people might
choose to listen (or not to ) offensive views. While it might be ideal to have
students ( and staff) able to be prepared for different views, we don’t at the
moment. The damage and fall out from the last episode was quite bad.
I am still deeply concerned about this. I wonder whether we should understand

more what the whole schedule for the club will be _ assume all colours and
persuasions will be on the list. Etc .
- do we have any mechanisms that might be able to be used here ? The

financial agreements with clubs and societies and associations? Use of
facilities policy? How do the Maori community feel about this might be good
to know too? What is the full politics club schedule.
Agree it’s a pr problem in all circumstances. But being treaty led will have
huge challenges for us if we are to be brave enough to be authentic.
Agree with all views on campus too, so I am very biphasic on this.

Jan
Sent from my iPad
From:
Date: 10 July 2018 at 10:04:29 AM GMT+1

To: "Thomas, Jan" <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>
Subject: Fwd: Politics Club
Fyi

From: "
Date: 10/07/18 8:19 PM (GMT+12:00)
To:
Kia ora
Really tricky but I will give this one a go. Mindful of this recent
issue:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?
c_id=1&objectid=12085800
My view is that as a University, we have a role as critic and

conscience, so we should be able to ‘speak truth to power’ and
welcome a diversity of views – and encourage this in our
students. I’m reminded of Kent Clark’s famous comments (he was
VC of the University of California in the 1960s) when he stated
that ‘the role of universities is not to make ideas safe for
students, but to make students safe for ideas.’ Frankly, I think
we’d have a much bigger problem if we prevented this occurring
– given these are already politically minded students, there would
be a high risk they would take this decision straight to the media.
In other words, I think we would buy into a fight we don’t want to
have.
Some students (P North based and enrolled in the BA) already

think there is a ‘left wing conspiracy’ dominant narrative – this
was raised with the VC at the MUSA forum recently. I’ve
discussed with how we can address this. So,
withdrawing University support, however tacit or intangible it
might be, would risk playing into the hands of those who think we
are already running a political agenda.
I completely understand the alternative view – i.e. the risk of the

University being seen to endorse ugly views. Brash authored
unsavoury and frankly racist policies and his recent ‘Hobson’s
Choice’ campaign was pretty powerful in the Manawatu in
pushing back on the Maori seats. But he’s not being invited for his
racist views, he is being asked to speak as a National party
politician – I think there is a difference here.
So – playing this forward: Brash says something abhorrent, and it

makes the Manawatu Standard. They draw the link with our te
Tiriti commitments. We respond saying that as a university we
encourage a diversity of views, but in no way endorse those
views.
In summary, I see the risk here, but I also see the bigger risk is
that if we say no, then we will be seen as suppressing free speech
and we will have a huge backlash from the student body and
possibly the community.
Naku noa, na,

From:
Date: Tuesday, 10 July 2018 at 10:07 AM

To:
Hi
See invite to VC below from the Politics Club. The VC is unavailable for
all three events however she is concerned re Donald Brash and says he
was v racist re Maori and Maori seat. The VC would like to know what do
we currently have re restrictions in this regard - Student club yes but
using university facilities gives tactic endorsement. She does not want as
a te tiriti led university to be seen to be endorsing racist behaviours, so in
first instance would like to know what you think about this and what we
can do to manage, minimise etc. She does not want a repeat of the
horrible incident a few months ago.
Regards
From:
Sent: 9 July 2018 10:37 AM
My name is I’m a current Massey

University 3rd year student acting as Secretary of the
Massey Manawatu politics club on the Palmerston north
campus.
I’m writing to inform you of our events that will be taking

place during semester 2, which we have the right
honourable Don Brash former National Party MP, Simon
Bridges the current National Party leader and Chris
Bishop another National Party MP.
We though it necessary to notify you of this event a

month prior to the first event to ask if you would desire
to come to the events as an observer.
The arrange structure that we have currently organised

with the coming politicians is an informal and casual
setting with no formal ceremony or greetings, more of
just a one to one chat with the politicians to learn of
their lives in the environment of politics, experiences
and future aspirations.
The current dates set for the meeting will be held of the
8th of august at 11.00 Am for Don Brash, 10th of August
at 3.00 Pm for Simon Bridges and 15th of August at 11.00
Am for Chris Bishop, of which the location of the events
on the Palmerston north campus will be confirmed at a
later date in posters and online event pages.
It would be much appreciated if you joined us of the

Massey Politics Club to help bring politics back into the
lives of the students.
Thank you for the time you have spent reading this
email.
Kind regards.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: Re: Moana Jackson: No one"s exercise of free speech should make another feel less free - E-Tangata
Date: 11 July 2018 7:57:32 PM
Kia ora Jan

This is very persuasive. Don Brash was interviewed on RNZ earlier today and it is clear
that he uses free speech as a shield behind which to hide, as do many colonial racists and
conservative commentators:
See here
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018653092/don-
brash-discusses-legal-action-over-far-right-speakers-ban
Regards,
On 11 Jul 2018, at 7:36 pm, Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
Kia ora ano

By chance just found this.
Jan
Sent from my iPhone
From: Jan Thomas

Date: 11 July 2018 at 8:34:33 AM GMT+1
To: "j.b.thomas@massey.ac.nz"
Subject: Moana Jackson: No one's exercise of free speech
should make another feel less free - E-Tangata
https://e-tangata.co.nz/comment-and-analysis/moana-jackson-no-
ones-exercise-of-free-speech-should-make-another-feel-less-free/
Moana Jackson: No one’s

exercise of free speech
should make another feel
less free
Moana Jackson May 6, 2018
Moana Jackson
In the las few weeks, prejudice seems to have crept out

of the dark corners of society again.
Two recent and well-publicised insances have shown

the many forms that intolerance and bigotry can take
— as well as illusrating the ways in which, even the
framing of the debate, can be consrained by hisory
and untesed assumptions.
In the frs insance, another Pākehā man has voiced the

usual tired and racis rants agains Māori, with little
variation on the old colonising view of our basic
inferiority.
In the second case, the noted rugby player Israel Folau

reached into the same colonising-sourced rhetoric, and
condemned gay people to some myserious place called
“hell”.
The public and social media reaction was swift, and

often encouraging, with the racis comments being
quickly deleted — banished to the unbidden and
embarrassing reaches of colonising disdain.
However, there’s no doubt that similar comments will

be made in the future, as long as this country sumbles
in the misaken belief that colonisation (and its
racism) is a relic of the pas rather than a continuing
presence.
The condemnation of LGBT people was similarly and

quickly denounced by many people, and, perhaps
surprisingly to some, by two All Black halfbacks. TJ
Perenara’s rebuke, in particular, has been rightly
praised — and his comment, that “Polynesia has been
sexually diverse since forever”, was a timely reminder
of a cultural and hisorical truth that is sill too often
denied in a Once-Were-Missionary type redefning of
ancient Pacifc realities.
Mos of the early missionaries across the Pacifc were

like those in New Zealand, who the hisorian Michael
Sorrenson once described as being so determined to
remove anything they thought was “obnoxious,
obscene and inhuman”, that they did not attempt to
record “the Māori notions (but) attempted to samp
them out”.
Obnoxiousness was always in the eyes of the

colonising beholder, of course, and like the many
navigators and anthropologiss and politicians who set
themselves up as experts on us, they redefned or
dismissed what they disliked or saw as threats to their
power.
Mos often, that meant a redefning of fundamental

relationship values, which resulted, for example, in the
subordination of Māori women, who were thus caught
in both a sexis and racis trap of lesser worth.
At other times, it occurred through equally violent and

pious pronouncements about the sin and immorality of
those such as LGBT people, who were deemed to be, at
bes, obnoxious, and at wors, beyond “saving”.
Throughout the Pacifc, we are sill obviously burdened

with that legacy.
The denunciations were heartening reality checks in the

ongoing campaign agains prejudice.
However, whether it was the old man’s racism or the

rugby sar’s homophobia, the debate was always
framed in an unquesioning acceptance of their right of
free speech.
Some writers spoke about the right as a cornersone of

liberal democracy, while others reached back to what
Europeans call their Enlightenment and argued that,
while a person could disagree with what someone else
might say, they should defend their right to say it. Still
others claimed that even ofensive comments are part
of the “marketplace of ideas” that make a society free.
Some of the nobles moments in human hisory have

been sruggles for freedom, but in the far from noble
hisory of colonisation, the notion of freedom, and
certainly free speech, has always been a term subjected
to troubling interpretations.
The dispossession of indigenous peoples was pursued

by European sates as part of their self-proclaimed
freedom to rule the world, but it always involved
denying the freedom of those they decided to rule.
James Cook’s voyages across the Pacifc were part of

an alleged freedom to “discover” and take other lands,
which resulted in a redefning of not jus the power and
way of life of the people he “discovered”, but the very
freedoms which they had enjoyed for centuries.
When indigenous peoples embarked on the difcult

process of drafting the United Nations Declaration on
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the late 1980s, it
was in many ways an attempt to reclaim those
freedoms.
The long sruggle to have the right of self-

determination recognised in the Declaration, and the
opposition of the New Zealand government and others
to its inclusion, was about the right of indigenous
peoples to determine their own desiny as they had
before colonisation.
In a very basic sense, it was a sruggle for the right to

be free.
This country has always been reluctant to use the word

“freedom” to describe the eforts by Māori people to
oppose colonisation and assert tino rangatiratanga. It
seems at odds with the preferred hisory of a mainly
honourable Treaty-based settlement, in which the
Crown introduced the norms of a liberal democracy
and all its freedoms to a people who it believed had
never had them before.
In the process, the freedoms of liberal democracy were

always adaptable, and included the freedom to declare
war on our people, and the freedom to ignore the
convention of majority rule and insead assume the
power to govern, even though they were the minority
population at the time.
In 2004, when the Crown ignored the decisions of its

own courts and confscated the foreshore and seabed
from Māori, it claimed it was acting to preserve the
“freedom of all New Zealanders” to enjoy time at the
beach.
That was a misleading falsehood, but it ensured that the

Māori freedom to hold what little was left of our land
was ignored in the catch-phrase of Kiwi not Iwi. Like
some sad corruption of the old Kris Krisoferson song,
the colonisers seemed to believe that “freedom’s jus
another word for nothing left to lose”. Except that it
assumed the freedom to make us lose nearly
everything.
The right to free speech has often been similarly

troubling, because it has too often meant the freedom to
hurt, despise, and belittle Māori. Cartoons published a
few years ago depicting fat and lazy Māori taking
advantage of free school lunches were found by the
court to be objectively ofensive but protected by free
speech and the fact that they weren’t ofensive enough
to incite a “reasonable person” to hatred or violence
agains our people.
The reasonable person in the common law was for a

long time described as the “man on the Clapham
omnibus”, and while that fctional being is now
genderless, it is sill presumed to be some amorphous
Pākehā.
Rather, as the term “a trial by a jury of one’s peers” has

a default meaning, where Māori can never be tried by a
jury of Māori peers, so the reasonableness of a cartoon
or speech is judged by the sandards of an invisible and
unnamed Pākehā.
In the court deliberations, that invisible-ness was an

unspoken given, and the quesion of whether
reasonable Māori would feel that the admittedly
ofensive cartoons incited hatred agains us, was never
even considered.
Freedom of speech, in efect, then became a shield for

racis invective defned by those who were privileged
by it, rather than those who were its objects and
victims.
It has become a political cliché to say that one person’s

freedom fghter is another person’s terroris. And, in
the context of colonising violence, free speech for the
colonisers has often been a terrorising insrument used
agains Māori.
It can terrorise others who have been oppressed or

marginalised too, of course. This is particularly the
case when it is argued that sincere religious beliefs
somehow enable or jusify free speech, even when they
are as hurtful as those uttered by Israel Folau. In fact, it
seems a perplexing rationalisation that a religion
osensibly based on love can be used to jusify such
love-less comments.
Unlike the Wesern idea that “sicks and sones may

break my bones but words will never hurt me”, our
people have always undersood the contrary — that the
thrus of a weapon may be pushed aside, but the hurt of
words cannot.
In fact, words can be damaging simply because they

can endanger others, and as many people have pointed
out, his comments may put at risk those young gay
people who may be sruggling with their identity.
It seems a srangely illiberal idea that some notion of

religious freedom can be used to jusify or excuse
endangering the vulnerable by turning it into a mere
exercise of free speech. It seems particularly srange
when religious freedom has never meant the freedom
of indigenous peoples to retain and practise their own
religions.
As this country works slowly, and often painfully,

towards being truly non-racis and non-colonising, it is
timely to debate the whole context and meaning of
“free speech”, and to more honesly consider its
meaning and its use as a defence.
In the case of race talk, it certainly seems timely to

shift the burden, so that Māori no longer have to prove
that a reasonable (Pākehā) person might feel the acts or
words have incited hatred agains us.
Insead, in a society which claims to be Treaty-based, it

should surely no longer be enough to hide behind faith
or the so-called cutting edge of humour, and assume
that being “true to one’s beliefs”, or indulging in
tongue-in-cheek ofensiveness, is somehow harmless or
funny.
The bliss of freedom enjoyed by those who have power

should never mean the right to cause pain to those who
are comparatively powerless. And no one’s exercise of
free speech should make another feel less free.
© E-Tangata, 2018
From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Subject: Re: Question
Date: 13 July 2018 8:43:36 PM
I have alerted - who line manages and we will talk about it on my return.
Sent from my iPhone
> On 13/07/2018, at 9:24 AM, wrote:

>
> Kia ora Jan
>
> I think we could try to position Massey as leaders in this area of Wananga within the broader context of the
Academy. Being Te Tiriti-led certainly gives us a head-start in this respect.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Finally, in thinking about the invitation to “Hobsons’s Pledge” to return to Massey, if it went ahead, I think it
would impact even further - as it would the University!
>
> Kia u, kia mau tatou,
>
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On 13/07/2018, at 9:07 AM, Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
>>
>> Thanks that’s helpful
>> I’d be very keen to continue to discuss my thinking with you on how we might bring elements of the ancient
wananga into the university. I think there is loads of potential here. But I am finding it hard to explain to folks
and therefore get folks onboard. Your insights might help me find the correct language.
>>
>>
>> J
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>> On 13/07/2018, at 8:57 AM, wrote:
>>>
>>> Morena Jan - Puwananga is a term usually reserved for those who have the capacity to facilitate the process
of Wananga itself.
>>>
>>> I was very interested in your whakaaro yesterday around concepts such as Wananga with the Academy. I
also think there is immense potential to explore thise ideas further - perhaps as a function of something akin the
Institute of Advanced Studies? On that note I will come back to you with a short narrative around our
discussion yesterday.
>>>
>>> Thanks for everything last night. People really appreciated your korero and insights into the changing face
of Massey University,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>>> On 13/07/2018, at 8:38 AM, Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Morena
>>>> Quick question - what’s the meaning of Puwananga in your email to just now? Can’t find it.
>>>> Also just to say Let me know if a further conversation would be helpful in crystalizing your thoughts.
>>>> Jan
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Date: 13 July 2018 8:24:17 PM
Kia ora Jan
Finally, in thinking about the invitation to “Hobsons’s Pledge” to return to Massey, if it went ahead, I think it
would impact even further up - as it would the University!
Kia u, kia mau tatou,
Sent from my iPhone
> On 13/07/2018, at 9:07 AM, Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:

>
> Thanks that’s helpful
> I’d be very keen to continue to discuss my thinking with you on how we might bring elements of the ancient
wananga into the university. I think there is loads of potential here. But I am finding it hard to explain to folks
and therefore get folks onboard. Your insights might help me find the correct language.
>
>J
>
>
>> On 13/07/2018, at 8:57 AM, wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> On 13/07/2018, at 8:38 AM, Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
>>>
>>> Morena
>>> Quick question - what’s the meaning of Puwananga in your email to just now? Can’t find it.
>>> Also just to say Let me know if a further conversation would be helpful in crystalizing your thoughts.
>>> Jan
>>>
From:
To:
Cc: Thomas, Jan;
Subject: Re: Politics Club - Don Brash
Date: 13 July 2018 10:51:58 PM
Yes ok
> On 13/07/2018, at 9:42 PM, wrote:

>
> Kia ora Jan
>
> I’ll chat with by email and get back to you ASAP on SA’s, clubs policy etc and what we might be able
to do. Leave it with us. Be in touch by email tomorrow
>
> Nga mihi
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> On 13/07/2018, at 7:12 PM, Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
>>
>> Kia ora koutou
>>
>> I am still fretting about the student club invitation to Don Brash. I note and deeply respect advice
that it will create an enormous backlash to ‘silence’ the student club. It also appears that use of facilities by
student clubs have no particular restrictions around them. And that this is a student event, not a university event.
>> I am still unclear regarding the conditions of funding from the university to student clubs and societies and
whether this can be used as a mechanism to manage this.
>>
>> However, I have spent a lot of time thinking about thus. I have also has the opportunity to discuss with
while I am in London. His measured view is that, particularly so soon after the Hobson’s pledge
damage, it will seriously affect our Maori colleagues. And put significant doubt on our te Tiriti led ambition.
>>
>> So I sum, I really want to find a way to indicate that Brash is not welcome on campus unless he agrees to
abide by our values and the laws against hate speech. He is not a sitting politician so why is he getting this
airing,
>>
>> I do want to discuss with as well. Either scenario here will cause reputations damage externally and
cultural damage internally.
>>
>> So can we check the arrangements by which funding is provided to student associations. Is someone able to
talk to the politics club to ascertain the whole program and the other speakers not indicated in his email. Etc
>>
>> The notion of exploring ideas and free speech on campus should be providing that it does not cause harm to
others and does not break the laws. Hate speech had no place on our campuses and as a te Tiriti led university
our values need to be respected too. I feel a great sense of responsibility around the WHS responsibilities to our
Maori staff and students.
>>
>> How can we find a solution to this.
>> My strong preference is that we stop it occurring. Students can hold it off campus.
>>
>> If it proves impossible to stop it, can we
>> 1. Put warnings
>> 2. Place an opinion piece out on freedom of speech, exploring ideas, hate speech preceding the event
>> 3. Modify our facilities usage and funding to student groups to include agreement to align to universities
values eg
>>
>> For further discussion with you all please.
>>
>> Jan
>>
>>
>> Sent from my iPad
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re: Concerns raised over protection from hate speech in NZ"s legislation
Date: 14 July 2018 7:03:23 PM
Sure anytime to avoid?

Date: 14/07/18 7:02 PM (GMT+12:00)
To:
Subject: Re: Concerns raised over protection from hate speech in NZ's legislation
Thanks
That’s very helpful. I have ccd in so she is aware of it. NZ is so nice and reserved we
may not have seen a lot of real hate speech?
Anyway I feel I want to discuss with - could you organise a time for me to call him
when I am in Qld?
Ta
Jan
Sent from my iPhone
On 14/07/2018, at 7:34 AM, >

wrote:
I found this article from nzherald.co.nz that you might be interested in:

From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Date: 14 July 2018 7:02:09 PM
Thanks
That’s very helpful. I have ccd in so she is aware of it. NZ is so nice and reserved we
may not have seen a lot of real hate speech?
Anyway I feel I want to discuss with - could you organise a time for me to call him
when I am in Qld?
Ta
Jan
Sent from my iPhone
On 14/07/2018, at 7:34 AM, >

wrote:
I found this article from nzherald.co.nz that you might be interested in:

From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Date: 14 July 2018 7:05:04 PM
No; evenings probably I will be out. But nothing scheduled and I can work around. I can
do early morning which could be good because it will be less distributive to and
activity? 2 hr time difference st the moment
J
Sent from my iPhone
On 14/07/2018, at 8:03 AM, >

wrote:
Sure anytime to avoid?

Date: 14/07/18 7:02 PM (GMT+12:00)
To:
Subject: Re: Concerns raised over protection from hate speech in NZ's
legislation
Thanks
That’s very helpful. I have ccd in so she is aware of it. NZ is so nice and
reserved we may not have seen a lot of real hate speech?
Anyway I feel I want to discuss with - could you organise a time for me
to call him when I am in Qld?
Ta
Jan
Sent from my iPhone
On 14/07/2018, at 7:34 AM,

> wrote:
I found this article from nzherald.co.nz that you might be

interested in: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Date: 14 July 2018 12:36:20 AM
Kia ora ra Jan
Sent from my iPhone
> On 13/07/2018, at 9:43 AM, Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:

>
> I have alerted - who line manages and we will talk about it on my return.
>
>
>> On 13/07/2018, at 9:24 AM, > wrote:
>>
>> Kia ora Jan
>>
>
>>
>>
>>
>> Finally, in thinking about the invitation to “Hobsons’s Pledge” to return to Massey, if it went ahead, I think
it would impact even further up - as it would the University!
>>
>> Kia u, kia mau tatou,
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> On 13/07/2018, at 9:07 AM, Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
>>>
>>> Thanks that’s helpful
>>> I’d be very keen to continue to discuss my thinking with you on how we might bring elements of the
ancient wananga into the university. I think there is loads of potential here. But I am finding it hard to explain
to folks and therefore get folks onboard. Your insights might help me find the correct language.
>>>
>>> J
>>>
>>>
>>>> On 13/07/2018, at 8:57 AM, wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Morena Jan - Puwananga is a term usually reserved for those who have the capacity to facilitate the
process of Wananga itself.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> On 13/07/2018, at 8:38 AM, Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Morena
>>>>> Quick question - what’s the meaning of Puwananga in your email to just now? Can’t find it.
>>>>> Also just to say Let me know if a further conversation would be helpful in crystalizing your thoughts.
>>>>> Jan
>>>>>
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
From:
Cc: Thomas, Jan;

Date: 15 July 2018 8:30:05 AM
Good morning
I’m going to look further at our student association conditions and codes for clubs and
societies on Monday and see what opportunities they present and will come back to
everyone as soon as possible.
Kind regards
On 14/07/2018, at 8:24 PM, wrote:
Hi Jan
We don’t appear to, see further here:
https://www.lawsociety.org.nz/news-and-communications/latest-
news/news/when-is-it-hate-speech
Nga mihi,
On 14 Jul 2018, at 6:26 pm, Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>

wrote:
An after thought colleagues

I have discussed this in detail with my ACU VC colleagues - all
of who would not allow it on campus. However several indicated
that their countries have laws against hate speech and it made me
wonder if NZ had same. I don’t think it does, but I thought I
would check in on this?
Jan
Sent from my iPhone
On 13/07/2018, at 11:23 PM,

<G.Byrnes@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
Jan
I can see why you are so torn on this; we risk real

From:
To: Thomas, Jan;
Date: 16 July 2018 11:05:52 AM
Attachments: v2opinion-hate-speech.docx
Minor edit attached to make this clear.

I agree NZ Herald. Thanks,
Nga mihi,
On 16/07/18, 11:02 AM, "Thomas, Jan" <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
Hi
I think we should be clear Goff was within his rights to ban them. My view he was right to do so. I think NZ
Herald.
Jan
Sent from my iPhone
> On 16/07/2018, at 6:59 AM, wrote:

>
> Hi I've proofed this. See attached. I think it's fine but I feel I don't know whether we are saying
Goff was right or wrong to ban them.
>
> Also where do we want to pitch this, to the Herald (where the debate happened and the march took place on
the weekend) or the Dominion?
>
>
>
>
> On 16/07/18, 10:48 AM, " wrote:
>
> fyi
>
> On 15/07/18, 12:57 PM, "Thomas, Jan" <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
>
>
> That’s brilliant
> Thank you
> From Singapore
> J
>
>
>> On 15/07/2018, at 8:44 AM, wrote:
>>
>> Jan
>>
>> A first draft attached for your consideration. I will also run past and our in-house legal people.
>>
>> By way of footnote, these are the incidents referred to:
>> https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/91132233/prominent-kiwis-pen-open-letter-saying-free-speech-
is-under-threat-in-nz-universities?rm=m
>>
>> Similarly, the UoA allowed this group to recruit at orientation, note however that the group was not
affiliated with the students' association:
>> https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/89960893/auckland-university-student-group-feared-to-have-white-
nationalist-objectives
>>
>> and fyi sec 61 1 (b) of the Human Rights Act 1993 does not reference 'hate speech' explicitly, but it does
declare it unlawful 'to use in any public place as defined in section 2(1) of the Summary Offences Act 1981, or
within the hearing of persons in any such public place, or at any meeting to which the public are invited or have
access, words which are threatening, abusive, or insulting'
>>
>> Nga mihi,
>>
>> On 14/07/18, 5:46 PM, "Thomas, Jan" <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Thanks a much more elegant way of saying it all.
>> Regardless given the hoha in the media already ( including Brash supports protesting) I think a opinion
piece would be great even if the event doesn’t happen. Be great if you could draft something for me, you are
excellent at writing!! I’d love to get this out sooner than later as it’s pretty hot in NZ currently
>> But we still have a couple of trails of evidence, then we need to speak to politics club, and then refuse
entry to campus if students don’t oblige - and be proactive at that point before Brash can get to media. ‘Today, I
advised students that they would be unable...... because the uni..... etc’
>> Thanks again
>> Jan
>>
>>
>>> On 13/07/2018, at 11:23 PM, wrote:
>>>
>>> Jan
>>>
>>> I can see why you are so torn on this; we risk real criticism whichever way we go. Taking the broader
view here, I think the question is what will be the course of least damage for Massey? If students can hold this
off campus, then all well and good, but we need a plan B. I’ve been thinking about what plan B might look like.
I hope you can indulge me with a few further reflections on this on the understanding that you are clearly not
comfortable with allowing Brash on campus.
>>>
>>> I hear concerns (which I fully agree are legitimate). I also think it is not unreasonable to
assume that Brash and his cronies will be aware of Massey's Te Tiriti commitments and there is a risk he will
call this out as some sort of 'problem' to grandstand, that this is about driving a separatist agenda and so on. He
may well do this if he speaks at Massey - if he speaks off campus he will probably have another go at the Maori
representation issue since he will know that is a media-magnet story. I see that at many places where Brash has
spoken, he has used the occasion to 'speak out'. Fortunately, his depth of argument is slight and his analysis is
always thin, so he is easy to knock down with reason. But he does have a brigade of silent supporters who are
feeling threatened and fearful by the vision of a 'new' New Zealand they no longer recognise or imagine was
theirs, or their children's future.
>>>
>>> Academics (and by extension universities as communities of academics) have a responsibility to speak
out too, but in our case, we correct error and prejudice, whether it is, say, the scientist rebutting (with evidence)
climate-change scepticism, or the lawyer correcting media misunderstanding of a judicial decision. With the
dominance of social media and fake news ‘echo chambers’ which tend to reify rather than challenge existing
beliefs, this responsibility could not be easier to fulfil. And our ‘critic and conscience’ mandate means that
universities must encourage those working in them – staff and students – to engage in public discussion and
embrace the freedom to develop new ideas, to test received wisdom and, in addition, to examine controversial
and unpopular positions. This also obliges our institutions to support staff if they are subject to illegitimate and
unfounded criticism for engaging in such debates. In essence, we are in the business of encouraging staff to
push knowledge boundaries and developing students to think for themselves, test the evidence that is put to
them and challenge societal norms. That’s all well understood.
>>>
>>> On the other hand, we have a responsibility in terms of our civic leadership role in society, to ensure that
we support the key principles of democracy. Upholding the rights of democracy includes championing freedom
and the right to speak, critique and question – but it also comes with responsibility. And that responsibility, I
would argue, is to do no harm. And that's when we start to slide towards hate speech.
>>>
>>> Hate speech is not free speech. Brash would argue of course that he trades in the latter. But as Moana’s
article outlined, ‘free speech’ has been used as a mask for racist comments, judgements and practices – and has
framed these as being normative. It’s a fine line. Hate speech is (and I think there’s no disagreement on this) an
abomination, or as one US academic has described it, hate speech is ‘a rape of human dignity’. Hate speech
should be called out for what it is and punished, especially when it poses a clear and present danger of violence
and then this is the realm of the law. Outside the reach of the law, the battle against hate speech must surely be
fought most effectively through persuasive and creative educational leadership rather than through coercion. I
think we’ve got to take the moral high ground here and take positive action that is within our remit; and use this
as an opportunity to tell our communities about what we do and what we value. I don't see that this is a zero-
sum game with regard to the inhibiting the speech or ideas of others.
>>>
>>> Our problem is that we hate ‘hate speech’ as much as we love free speech. But this conflict is not
irreconcilable. I think it is most usefully resolved by a staunch commitment to free expression principles,
supplemented with an equally vigorous attack on hate speech in all its forms, emphasizing energetic leadership
and education on the academic values of tolerance, civility, and respect for human dignity.
>>> I think we should do this rather than enacting any sort of coercive measures. In this respect the ideas of a
university are vindicated; the sense of a community of scholars, and an island of reason and tolerance. I realise
this all sounds very idealistic, but this issue is really calling into question what and who we are as a university.
>>>
>>> So, in terms of actions. Hate speech has no place at a university. If Brash's talk can be held off campus,
then ok. We'd need to be clear about why him and not the others - I think we'd be pushing it to argue that all
three speakers were not welcome on campus given the others are politicians. But if not, then I think Massey
should 'front foot' this visit (we have been warned) and publish an opinion piece - perhaps over your name Jan -
about our commitment to ideas and free expression but also attacking hate speech, emphasizing positive
energetic leadership and education on the academic values of tolerance, civility, and respect for human dignity.
This is what Te Tiriti is actually all about. I'd be happy to draft something for you, and consult with others on
this, if this helped.
>>>
>>> Yes, to 3 - but we also need to be clearer in our Student Code of Conduct - it cites ethical conduct the
laws of NZ but not much else, http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/calendar/studying-at-massey-
university/code-of-student-conduct.cfm
>>>
>>> Nga mihi,
>>>
>>>
>>> On 13/07/18, 9:12 PM, "Thomas, Jan" <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
>>>
>>> Kia ora koutou
>>>
>>> I am still fretting about the student club invitation to Don Brash. I note and deeply respect
advice that it will create an enormous backlash to ‘silence’ the student club. It also appears that use of facilities
by student clubs have no particular restrictions around them. And that this is a student event, not a university
event.
>>> I am still unclear regarding the conditions of funding from the university to student clubs and societies
and whether this can be used as a mechanism to manage this.
>>>
>>> However, I have spent a lot of time thinking about thus. I have also has the opportunity to discuss with
>>>
>>> So I sum, I really want to find a way to indicate that Brash is not welcome on campus unless he agrees
to abide by our values and the laws against hate speech. He is not a sitting politician so why is he getting this
airing,
>>>
>>> I do want to discuss with as well. Either scenario here will cause reputations damage externally and
>>>
>>> So can we check the arrangements by which funding is provided to student associations. Is someone
able to talk to the politics club to ascertain the whole program and the other speakers not indicated in his email.
Etc
>>>
>>> The notion of exploring ideas and free speech on campus should be providing that it does not cause
harm to others and does not break the laws. Hate speech had no place on our campuses and as a te Tiriti led
university our values need to be respected too. I feel a great sense of responsibility around the WHS
responsibilities to our Maori staff and students.
>>>
>>> How can we find a solution to this.
>>> My strong preference is that we stop it occurring. Students can hold it off campus.
>>>
>>> If it proves impossible to stop it, can we
>>> 1. Put warnings
>>> 2. Place an opinion piece out on freedom of speech, exploring ideas, hate speech preceding the event
>>> 3. Modify our facilities usage and funding to student groups to include agreement to align to universities
values eg
>>>
>>> For further discussion with you all please.
>>>
>>> Jan
>>>
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>
>>
>>
>> <v2 When is free speech hate speech and why should universities care.docx>
>
>
>
>
> <opinion-hate-speech.docx>
From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Cc:
Date: 16 July 2018 1:35:22 PM
Great
Yes well done
Sent from my iPhone
> On 16/07/2018, at 9:24 AM, :

>
> Herald like it and will run it tomorrow. With pic! Good work
>
>
>
>
> On 16/07/18, 11:16 AM, "Thomas, Jan" <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
>
> Great
> Thank you both very much
> I think our maori staff will appreciate this
> And it gives us a platform to hook into as we work with the politics club
> J
>
>
>> On 16/07/2018, at 7:05 AM, wrote:
>>
>> Minor edit attached to make this clear.
>> I agree NZ Herald. Thanks,
>> Nga mihi,
>>
>> On 16/07/18, 11:02 AM, "Thomas, Jan" <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
>>
>> Hi
>> I think we should be clear Goff was within his rights to ban them. My view he was right to do so. I think
NZ Herald.
>> Jan
>>
>>
>>> On 16/07/2018, at 6:59 AM, > wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi I've proofed this. See attached. I think it's fine but I feel I don't know whether we are saying
>>>
>>> Also where do we want to pitch this, to the Herald (where the debate happened and the march took place
on the weekend) or the Dominion?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 16/07/18, 10:48 AM, > wrote:
>>>
>>> fyi
>>>
>>> On 15/07/18, 12:57 PM, "Thomas, Jan" <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> That’s brilliant
>>> Thank you
>>> From Singapore
>>> J
>>>
>>>
>>>> On 15/07/2018, at 8:44 AM, wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Jan
>>>>
>>>> A first draft attached for your consideration. I will also run past and our in-house legal people.
>>>>
>>>> By way of footnote, these are the incidents referred to:
>>>> https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/91132233/prominent-kiwis-pen-open-letter-saying-free-speech-
is-under-threat-in-nz-universities?rm=m
>>>>
>>>> Similarly, the UoA allowed this group to recruit at orientation, note however that the group was not
affiliated with the students' association:
>>>> https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/89960893/auckland-university-student-group-feared-to-have-white-
nationalist-objectives
>>>>
>>>> and fyi sec 61 1 (b) of the Human Rights Act 1993 does not reference 'hate speech' explicitly, but it does
declare it unlawful 'to use in any public place as defined in section 2(1) of the Summary Offences Act 1981, or
within the hearing of persons in any such public place, or at any meeting to which the public are invited or have
access, words which are threatening, abusive, or insulting'
>>>>
>>>> Nga mihi,
>>>>
>>>> On 14/07/18, 5:46 PM, "Thomas, Jan" <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thanks a much more elegant way of saying it all.
>>>> Regardless given the hoha in the media already ( including Brash supports protesting) I think a opinion
piece would be great even if the event doesn’t happen. Be great if you could draft something for me, you are
excellent at writing!! I’d love to get this out sooner than later as it’s pretty hot in NZ currently
>>>> But we still have a couple of trails of evidence, then we need to speak to politics club, and then refuse
entry to campus if students don’t oblige - and be proactive at that point before Brash can get to media. ‘Today, I
advised students that they would be unable...... because the uni..... etc’
>>>> Thanks again
>>>> Jan
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> On 13/07/2018, at 11:23 PM, wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Jan
>>>>>
>>>>> I can see why you are so torn on this; we risk real criticism whichever way we go. Taking the broader
view here, I think the question is what will be the course of least damage for Massey? If students can hold this
off campus, then all well and good, but we need a plan B. I’ve been thinking about what plan B might look like.
I hope you can indulge me with a few further reflections on this on the understanding that you are clearly not
comfortable with allowing Brash on campus.
>>>>>
>>>>> I hear concerns (which I fully agree are legitimate). I also think it is not unreasonable to
assume that Brash and his cronies will be aware of Massey's Te Tiriti commitments and there is a risk he will
call this out as some sort of 'problem' to grandstand, that this is about driving a separatist agenda and so on. He
may well do this if he speaks at Massey - if he speaks off campus he will probably have another go at the Maori
representation issue since he will know that is a media-magnet story. I see that at many places where Brash has
spoken, he has used the occasion to 'speak out'. Fortunately, his depth of argument is slight and his analysis is
always thin, so he is easy to knock down with reason. But he does have a brigade of silent supporters who are
feeling threatened and fearful by the vision of a 'new' New Zealand they no longer recognise or imagine was
theirs, or their children's future.
>>>>>
>>>>> Academics (and by extension universities as communities of academics) have a responsibility to speak
out too, but in our case, we correct error and prejudice, whether it is, say, the scientist rebutting (with evidence)
climate-change scepticism, or the lawyer correcting media misunderstanding of a judicial decision. With the
dominance of social media and fake news ‘echo chambers’ which tend to reify rather than challenge existing
beliefs, this responsibility could not be easier to fulfil. And our ‘critic and conscience’ mandate means that
universities must encourage those working in them – staff and students – to engage in public discussion and
embrace the freedom to develop new ideas, to test received wisdom and, in addition, to examine controversial
and unpopular positions. This also obliges our institutions to support staff if they are subject to illegitimate and
unfounded criticism for engaging in such debates. In essence, we are in the business of encouraging staff to
push knowledge boundaries and developing students to think for themselves, test the evidence that is put to
them and challenge societal norms. That’s all well understood.
>>>>>
>>>>> On the other hand, we have a responsibility in terms of our civic leadership role in society, to ensure that
we support the key principles of democracy. Upholding the rights of democracy includes championing freedom
and the right to speak, critique and question – but it also comes with responsibility. And that responsibility, I
would argue, is to do no harm. And that's when we start to slide towards hate speech.
>>>>>
>>>>> Hate speech is not free speech. Brash would argue of course that he trades in the latter. But as Moana’s
article outlined, ‘free speech’ has been used as a mask for racist comments, judgements and practices – and has
framed these as being normative. It’s a fine line. Hate speech is (and I think there’s no disagreement on this) an
abomination, or as one US academic has described it, hate speech is ‘a rape of human dignity’. Hate speech
should be called out for what it is and punished, especially when it poses a clear and present danger of violence
and then this is the realm of the law. Outside the reach of the law, the battle against hate speech must surely be
fought most effectively through persuasive and creative educational leadership rather than through coercion. I
think we’ve got to take the moral high ground here and take positive action that is within our remit; and use this
as an opportunity to tell our communities about what we do and what we value. I don't see that this is a zero-
sum game with regard to the inhibiting the speech or ideas of others.
>>>>>
>>>>> Our problem is that we hate ‘hate speech’ as much as we love free speech. But this conflict is not
irreconcilable. I think it is most usefully resolved by a staunch commitment to free expression principles,
supplemented with an equally vigorous attack on hate speech in all its forms, emphasizing energetic leadership
and education on the academic values of tolerance, civility, and respect for human dignity.
>>>>> I think we should do this rather than enacting any sort of coercive measures. In this respect the ideas of a
university are vindicated; the sense of a community of scholars, and an island of reason and tolerance. I realise
this all sounds very idealistic, but this issue is really calling into question what and who we are as a university.
>>>>>
>>>>> So, in terms of actions. Hate speech has no place at a university. If Brash's talk can be held off campus,
then ok. We'd need to be clear about why him and not the others - I think we'd be pushing it to argue that all
three speakers were not welcome on campus given the others are politicians. But if not, then I think Massey
should 'front foot' this visit (we have been warned) and publish an opinion piece - perhaps over your name Jan -
about our commitment to ideas and free expression but also attacking hate speech, emphasizing positive
energetic leadership and education on the academic values of tolerance, civility, and respect for human dignity.
This is what Te Tiriti is actually all about. I'd be happy to draft something for you, and consult with others on
this, if this helped.
>>>>>
>>>>> Yes, to 3 - but we also need to be clearer in our Student Code of Conduct - it cites ethical conduct the
laws of NZ but not much else, http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/calendar/studying-at-massey-
university/code-of-student-conduct.cfm
>>>>>
>>>>> Nga mihi,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 13/07/18, 9:12 PM, "Thomas, Jan" <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Kia ora koutou
>>>>>
>>>>> I am still fretting about the student club invitation to Don Brash. I note and deeply respect
advice that it will create an enormous backlash to ‘silence’ the student club. It also appears that use of facilities
by student clubs have no particular restrictions around them. And that this is a student event, not a university
event.
>>>>> I am still unclear regarding the conditions of funding from the university to student clubs and societies
and whether this can be used as a mechanism to manage this.
>>>>>
>>>>> However, I have spent a lot of time thinking about thus. I have also has the opportunity to discuss with
>>>>>
>>>>> So I sum, I really want to find a way to indicate that Brash is not welcome on campus unless he agrees
to abide by our values and the laws against hate speech. He is not a sitting politician so why is he getting this
airing,
>>>>>
>>>>> I do want to discuss with as well. Either scenario here will cause reputations damage externally and
>>>>>
>>>>> So can we check the arrangements by which funding is provided to student associations. Is someone
able to talk to the politics club to ascertain the whole program and the other speakers not indicated in his email.
Etc
>>>>>
>>>>> The notion of exploring ideas and free speech on campus should be providing that it does not cause
harm to others and does not break the laws. Hate speech had no place on our campuses and as a te Tiriti led
university our values need to be respected too. I feel a great sense of responsibility around the WHS
responsibilities to our Maori staff and students.
>>>>>
>>>>> How can we find a solution to this.
>>>>> My strong preference is that we stop it occurring. Students can hold it off campus.
>>>>>
>>>>> If it proves impossible to stop it, can we
>>>>> 1. Put warnings
>>>>> 2. Place an opinion piece out on freedom of speech, exploring ideas, hate speech preceding the event
>>>>> 3. Modify our facilities usage and funding to student groups to include agreement to align to universities
values eg
>>>>>
>>>>> For further discussion with you all please.
>>>>>
>>>>> Jan
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> <v2 When is free speech hate speech and why should universities care.docx>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> <opinion-hate-speech.docx>
>>
>>
>> <v2opinion-hate-speech.docx>
>
>
From:
To: Thomas, Jan;
Date: 16 July 2018 1:24:21 PM
Herald like it and will run it tomorrow. With pic! Good work
On 16/07/18, 11:16 AM, "Thomas, Jan" <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
Great
Thank you both very much
I think our maori staff will appreciate this
And it gives us a platform to hook into as we work with the politics club
J
Sent from my iPhone
> On 16/07/2018, at 7:05 AM, wrote:

>
> Minor edit attached to make this clear.
> I agree NZ Herald. Thanks,
> Nga mihi,
>
> On 16/07/18, 11:02 AM, "Thomas, Jan" <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
>
> Hi
> I think we should be clear Goff was within his rights to ban them. My view he was right to do so. I think
NZ Herald.
> Jan
>
>
>> On 16/07/2018, at 6:59 AM, :
>>
>> Hi I've proofed this. See attached. I think it's fine but I feel I don't know whether we are saying
>>
>> Also where do we want to pitch this, to the Herald (where the debate happened and the march took place
on the weekend) or the Dominion?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 16/07/18, 10:48 AM, wrote:
>>
>> fyi
>>
>> On 15/07/18, 12:57 PM, " wrote:
>>
>>
>> That’s brilliant
>> Thank you
>> From Singapore
>> J
>>
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Op ed
Date: 17 July 2018 9:01:21 AM
Jan
Excellent piece in the Herald today. I thought you made the distinction between free speech and hate speech
really well. The latest issue of the Listener has an interesting piece on hate speech.
From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Subject: Re: Op ed
Date: 17 July 2018 10:36:13 AM
Thanks
Yes I saw the Listener after this had been accepted. It’s clearly a debate the nation needs to
have. I see is being interviewed on it as well. Great positioning for Massey
Jan
Sent from my iPhone
On 17/07/2018, at 6:31 AM, , > wrote:
Jan
Excellent piece in the Herald today. I thought you made the distinction between
free speech and hate speech really well. The latest issue of the Listener has an
interesting piece on hate speech.
From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Subject: Jan Thomas: Free speech is welcome at universities, hate speech is not - NZ Herald
Date: 17 July 2018 10:29:14 AM
Sent from my iPhone

From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Subject: Re: Opinion Piece - Well done!
Date: 18 July 2018 9:52:42 AM
Thanks. All good here
Sent from my iPad
On 18/07/2018, at 7:33 AM, wrote:
Hi Jan,
Nice to see your opinion piece on the Hate Speech issue, well done…
Hope the Europe trip is going/went well.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re: Opinion Piece - Well done!
Date: 18 July 2018 10:37:51 AM
Excelente
On 18/07/2018, at 9:52 AM, Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
Thanks. All good here
Sent from my iPad
On 18/07/2018, at 7:33 AM, >

wrote:
Hi Jan,

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: RE: Jan Thomas: Free speech is welcome at universities, hate speech is not - NZ Herald
Date: 18 July 2018 1:14:39 PM
Great stuff Jan. It was profiled on Ed Insider yesterday so people will have seen it then.
From: Thomas, Jan [mailto:J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz]

Sent: Wednesday, 18 July 2018 10:46 a.m.
To:
Cc:
Ata marie e hoa ma
I thought I would send you this opinion piece that was published yesterday. It is causing
some discussion across NZ and so I thought you’d better see it in case you are asked about
it.
Also, RNZ is planning an interview with me tomorrow morning on this topic.
Cheers
Jan
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=12089831
Jan Thomas: Free speech is

welcome at universities, hate speech
is not
NZ Herald
By: Jan Thomas
Stefan Molyneux and Lauren Southern had an "alt right" speaking event in
Auckland cancelled after Mayor Phil Goff's message that they were not
welcome. Photo / Supplied
COMMENT:
An "alt right" speaking event in Auckland has been cancelled after Mayor
Phil Goff made it clear the two speakers, Lauren Southern and Stefan
Molyneux, were not welcome and the council would not provide a venue for
"hate speech" by people who sought to abuse and insult others.
While I support Mr Goff's decision, it has kicked off a tide of controversy

and has again raised the issue of what differentiates free speech from hate
speech.
Issues such as this are increasingly common in New Zealand. Last year a
group of high-profile New Zealanders put their names to a statement
supporting free speech on New Zealand university campuses.
The open letter warned that freedom of speech was under threat at our
universities following the demise of a student group promoting white
supremacist beliefs.
The recent debate that swirled around the proposed establishment of Maori
wards in parts of New Zealand including Palmerston North and the
Manawatu District – home to one of Massey University's campuses – came
dangerously close to hate speech, mobilised in large part by the Hobson's
Pledge network.
So, when does free speech become hate speech and why should universities
care?
The right to speak freely is a bedrock principle of democratic society. This

includes the right to hold opinions and express one's views without fear and
the ability to freely communicate one's ideas.
History is littered with examples of tyrants who have sought to stymie this
freedom of expression and, conversely, reveals the tragedy of those whose
voices have been silenced under such oppression.
Freedom of expression is one thing, but hate speech is another. As a concept

that has now entered common parlance, hate speech refers to attacks based
on race, ethnicity, religion, and increasingly, on sexual orientation or
preference.
While hate speech is not a specific offence in New Zealand, the Human
Rights Act 1993 includes provisions addressing civil and criminal liability in
relation to encouraging racial dissonance or unrest.
The Crimes Act 1961 also has provisions that can result in convictions and
significant sentences if threats are made to harm or kill others or damage
property.
Further, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which

New Zealand is a signatory, states that advocating national, racial or
religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or
violence is legally prohibited.
Let me be clear, hate speech is not free speech. Moreover, as Moana Jackson
has eloquently argued, free speech has, especially in colonial societies, long
been mobilised as a vehicle for racist comments, judgements and practices.
Hate speech is repugnant, or as one American legal academic has stated,

hate speech is "a rape of human dignity".
Hate speech should be called out for what it is, especially when it incites
violence against minorities.
Beyond the reach of the law, however, the battle against hate speech is
fought most effectively through education and courageous leadership, rather
than through suppression or legal censure.
And this is where universities can take positive action by providing a venue
for reasoned discussion and cogent argument.
After all, the Education Act 1989 compels us to act as "critic and
conscience" of society.
This does not just mean protecting the values of academic freedom, it also
means standing up for what is right.
I do not see this is a zero-sum game aimed at limiting the right to free
speech or the expression of differing or radical or even erroneous ideas.
Academics have a responsibility to engage with the communities we serve,

to correct error and prejudice and to offer expert views, informed by
evidence, reason and well-informed argument.
Given the current dominance of wall-to-wall social media and the echo
chambers of fake news, universities are in many ways obliged to make
positive societal interventions.
Universities support our staff and students to push boundaries, test the
evidence that is put to them and challenge societal norms, including
examining controversial and unpopular ideas.
This also obliges our institutions to support staff if and when they are
attacked for engaging in such debates.
In this regard, I am guided by the University of California's former President

Clark Kerr's oft-cited maxim that "the role of universities is not to make
ideas safe for students, but to make students safe for ideas".
And as I regularly remind our graduates, with rights come responsibilities.
Public universities have an obligation to uphold our civic leadership role in

society and our first responsibility, I would argue, is to do no harm.
Universities are characterised by the academic values of tolerance, civility,

and respect for human dignity.
And that is why it is important to identify and call out any shift from free
speech towards hate speech. The challenge we face is to clarify when that
shift occurs and to counter it with reason and compassion.
Hate speech has no place at a university. My university values our

commitment to ideas and scholarship and free expression.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is at the centre of our university strategy, emphasising

the importance of positive national leadership and supporting fundamental
human values alongside academic ones. This is where Te Tiriti, with its
emphasis on partnership, respect and tolerance, has much to teach us all.
• Professor Jan Thomas is Vice-Chancellor of Massey University.
Sent from my iPad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re: Jan Thomas: Free speech is welcome at universities, hate speech is not - NZ Herald
Date: 18 July 2018 11:35:26 AM
Jan - a wonderful piece. Well done.
Let’s see how the landscape looks in a few days.
Kia ora ano e hoa

Attached. I will also send to Council
Thanks for chat
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?

welcome at universities, hate
speech is not
NZ Herald By: Jan Thomas
Stefan Molyneux and Lauren Southern had an "alt right" speaking event in Auckland
cancelled after Mayor Phil of s message that they were not welcome. Photo Supplied
COMMENT:
An "alt right" speaking event in Auckland has been cancelled

after Mayor Phil of made it clear the two speakers, auren
Southern and Stefan Molyneux, were not welcome and the
council would not provide a venue for "hate speech" by people
who sought to abuse and insult others.
While I support Mr of s decision, it has kicked of a tide of
controversy and has again raised the issue of what diferentiates
free speech from hate speech.
Issues such as this are increasingly common in New Zealand. as

year a group of high-profle New Zealanders put their names to a
satement supporting free speech on New Zealand university
campuses.
The open letter warned that freedom of speech was under threat at
our universities following the demise of a sudent group
promoting white supremacis beliefs.
The recent debate that swirled around the proposed esablishment

of Māori wards in parts of New Zealand including Palmerson
North and the Manawat isrict home to one of Massey
University's campuses – came dangerously close to hate speech,
mobilised in large part by the Hobson's Pledge network.
So, when does free speech become hate speech and why should
universities care?
The right to speak freely is a bedrock principle of democratic

society. This includes the right to hold opinions and express one's
views without fear and the ability to freely communicate one's
ideas.
isory is littered with examples of tyrants who have sought to

symie this freedom of expression and, conversely, reveals the
tragedy of those whose voices have been silenced under such
oppression.
Freedom of expression is one thing, but hate speech is another. As

a concept that has now entered common parlance, hate speech
refers to attacks based on race, ethnicity, religion, and
increasingly, on sexual orientation or preference.
While hate speech is not a specifc ofence in New Zealand, the
Human Rights Act 1993 includes provisions addressing civil and
criminal liability in relation to encouraging racial dissonance or
unres.
The Crimes Act 1961 also has provisions that can result in
convictions and signifcant sentences if threats are made to harm
or kill others or damage property.
Further, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

to which New Zealand is a signatory, sates that advocating
national, racial or religious hatred that consitutes incitement to
discrimination, hosility or violence is legally prohibited.
Let me be clear, hate speech is not free speech. Moreover, as

Moana Jackson has eloquently argued, free speech has, especially
in colonial societies, long been mobilised as a vehicle for racis
comments, judgements and practices.
Hate speech is repugnant, or as one American legal academic has

sated, hate speech is a rape of human dignity .
Hate speech should be called out for what it is, especially when it
incites violence agains minorities.
eyond the reach of the law, however, the battle agains hate
speech is fought mos efectively through education and
courageous leadership, rather than through suppression or legal
censure.
And this is where universities can take positive action by

providing a venue for reasoned discussion and cogent argument.
This does not jus mean protecting the values of academic

freedom, it also means sanding up for what is right.
I do not see this is a zero-sum game aimed at limiting the right to
free speech or the expression of difering or radical or even
erroneous ideas.
Academics have a responsibility to engage with the communities

we serve, to correct error and prejudice and to ofer expert views,
informed by evidence, reason and well-informed argument.
Given the current dominance of wall-to-wall social media and the

echo chambers of fake news, universities are in many ways
obliged to make positive societal interventions.
Universities support our saf and sudents to push boundaries, tes

the evidence that is put to them and challenge societal norms,
including examining controversial and unpopular ideas.
This also obliges our insitutions to support saf if and when they
are attacked for engaging in such debates.
In this regard, I am guided by the University of California's

former President Clark Kerr's oft-cited maxim that "the role of
universities is not to make ideas safe for sudents, but to make
sudents safe for ideas .
And as I regularly remind our graduates, with rights come

responsibilities.
Public universities have an obligation to uphold our civic

leadership role in society and our frs responsibility, I would
argue, is to do no harm.
Universities are characterised by the academic values of

tolerance, civility, and respect for human dignity.
And that is why it is important to identify and call out any shift
from free speech towards hate speech. The challenge we face is to
clarify when that shift occurs and to counter it with reason and
compassion.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi is at the centre of our university srategy,

emphasising the importance of positive national leadership and
supporting fundamental human values alongside academic ones.
This is where Te Tiriti, with its emphasis on partnership, respect
and tolerance, has much to teach us all.
• Professor Jan Thomas is Vice-Chancellor of Massey

University.
Sent from my iPad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Date: 18 July 2018 12:36:50 PM
image004.png

To:
Ata marie e hoa ma
it.
Cheers
Jan

is not
NZ Herald
By: Jan Thomas
COMMENT:

speech.
Pledge network.
care?


preference.
property.









From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Date: 18 July 2018 11:03:19 AM
Reads very well Jan. Good stuff. From a hot and very wet Beijing. Cheers,
Ata marie e hoa ma
I thought I would send you this opinion piece that was published yesterday. It
is causing some discussion across NZ and so I thought you’d better see it in
case you are asked about it.
Cheers
Jan

welcome at universities, hate
speech is not
cancelled after Mayor Phil of s message that they were not welcome. Photo Supplied
COMMENT:
An "alt right" speaking event in Auckland has been cancelled

after Mayor Phil of made it clear the two speakers, auren
Southern and Stefan Molyneux, were not welcome and the
council would not provide a venue for "hate speech" by people
who sought to abuse and insult others.
While I support Mr of s decision, it has kicked of a tide of
controversy and has again raised the issue of what diferentiates
free speech from hate speech.
Issues such as this are increasingly common in New Zealand. as

year a group of high-profle New Zealanders put their names to a
satement supporting free speech on New Zealand university
campuses.
The open letter warned that freedom of speech was under threat at
our universities following the demise of a sudent group
promoting white supremacis beliefs.
The recent debate that swirled around the proposed esablishment

of Māori wards in parts of New Zealand including Palmerson
North and the Manawat isrict home to one of Massey
University's campuses – came dangerously close to hate speech,
So, when does free speech become hate speech and why should
universities care?
The right to speak freely is a bedrock principle of democratic

society. This includes the right to hold opinions and express one's
views without fear and the ability to freely communicate one's
ideas.
isory is littered with examples of tyrants who have sought to

symie this freedom of expression and, conversely, reveals the
tragedy of those whose voices have been silenced under such
oppression.
Freedom of expression is one thing, but hate speech is another. As

a concept that has now entered common parlance, hate speech
refers to attacks based on race, ethnicity, religion, and
increasingly, on sexual orientation or preference.
While hate speech is not a specifc ofence in New Zealand, the
Human Rights Act 1993 includes provisions addressing civil and
criminal liability in relation to encouraging racial dissonance or
unres.
The Crimes Act 1961 also has provisions that can result in
convictions and signifcant sentences if threats are made to harm
or kill others or damage property.
Further, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

to which New Zealand is a signatory, sates that advocating
national, racial or religious hatred that consitutes incitement to
discrimination, hosility or violence is legally prohibited.
Let me be clear, hate speech is not free speech. Moreover, as

Moana Jackson has eloquently argued, free speech has, especially
in colonial societies, long been mobilised as a vehicle for racis
comments, judgements and practices.
Hate speech is repugnant, or as one American legal academic has

sated, hate speech is a rape of human dignity .
Hate speech should be called out for what it is, especially when it
incites violence agains minorities.
eyond the reach of the law, however, the battle agains hate
speech is fought mos efectively through education and
courageous leadership, rather than through suppression or legal
censure.
And this is where universities can take positive action by

providing a venue for reasoned discussion and cogent argument.
This does not jus mean protecting the values of academic

freedom, it also means sanding up for what is right.
I do not see this is a zero-sum game aimed at limiting the right to
free speech or the expression of difering or radical or even
erroneous ideas.
Academics have a responsibility to engage with the communities

we serve, to correct error and prejudice and to ofer expert views,
informed by evidence, reason and well-informed argument.
Given the current dominance of wall-to-wall social media and the

echo chambers of fake news, universities are in many ways
obliged to make positive societal interventions.
Universities support our saf and sudents to push boundaries, tes

the evidence that is put to them and challenge societal norms,
including examining controversial and unpopular ideas.
This also obliges our insitutions to support saf if and when they
are attacked for engaging in such debates.
In this regard, I am guided by the University of California's

former President Clark Kerr's oft-cited maxim that "the role of
universities is not to make ideas safe for sudents, but to make
sudents safe for ideas .
And as I regularly remind our graduates, with rights come

responsibilities.
Public universities have an obligation to uphold our civic

leadership role in society and our frs responsibility, I would
argue, is to do no harm.
Universities are characterised by the academic values of

tolerance, civility, and respect for human dignity.
And that is why it is important to identify and call out any shift
from free speech towards hate speech. The challenge we face is to
clarify when that shift occurs and to counter it with reason and
compassion.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi is at the centre of our university srategy,

emphasising the importance of positive national leadership and
supporting fundamental human values alongside academic ones.
This is where Te Tiriti, with its emphasis on partnership, respect
and tolerance, has much to teach us all.
• Professor Jan Thomas is Vice-Chancellor of Massey

University.
Sent from my iPad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Date: 18 July 2018 11:05:02 AM
Excellent article Jan – well argued. Hope interview goes well
From: Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>

To:
Ata marie e hoa ma
it.
Cheers
Jan

is not
NZ Herald
By: Jan Thomas
COMMENT:

speech.
Pledge network.
care?


preference.
property.








Sent from my iPad

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
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or use it for any purpose or disclose its contents to any other person.
The sender accepts no responsibility for viruses received with or changes
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This e-mail message has been scanned for Viruses and Content by Toyota New
Zealand Limited.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan;
Date: 18 July 2018 1:57:26 PM
Great stuff, Jan!

To:
Cc:
Ata marie e hoa ma
it.
Cheers
Jan

is not
NZ Herald
By: Jan Thomas
COMMENT:

speech.
Pledge network.
care?


preference.
property.







Sent from my iPad
"The information contained in this email message is intended only for the addressee and is
not necessarily the official view or communication of the Ministry. It may be legally
privileged. If you are not the intended recipient you must not use, disclose, copy or
distribute this message or the information in it as this may be unlawful. If you have
received this message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately."
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Date: 18 July 2018 12:48:35 PM
I read it earlier, not much (anything) to disagree with.

Date: Wednesday, 18 July 2018 at 10:46 AM
To:
Subject: Jan Thomas: Free speech is welcome at universities, hate speech is not - NZ
Herald
Ata marie e hoa ma
I thought I would send you this opinion piece that was published yesterday. It is causing some
discussion across NZ and so I thought you’d better see it in case you are asked about it.
Cheers
Jan
Jan Thomas: Free speech is welcome at

universities, hate speech is not
NZ Herald
By: Jan Thomas
cancelled after Mayor Phil Goff's message that they were not welcome. Photo /
Supplied
COMMENT:
An "alt right" speaking event in Auckland has been cancelled after Mayor Phil Goff
made it clear the two speakers, Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux, were not
welcome and the council would not provide a venue for "hate speech" by people who
sought to abuse and insult others.
While I support Mr Goff's decision, it has kicked off a tide of controversy and has
again raised the issue of what differentiates free speech from hate speech.
Issues such as this are increasingly common in New Zealand. Last year a group of
high-profile New Zealanders put their names to a statement supporting free speech on
New Zealand university campuses.
The open letter warned that freedom of speech was under threat at our universities
following the demise of a student group promoting white supremacist beliefs.
The recent debate that swirled around the proposed establishment of Maori wards in
parts of New Zealand including Palmerston North and the Manawatu District – home
to one of Massey University's campuses – came dangerously close to hate speech,
So, when does free speech become hate speech and why should universities care?
The right to speak freely is a bedrock principle of democratic society. This includes
the right to hold opinions and express one's views without fear and the ability to
freely communicate one's ideas.
History is littered with examples of tyrants who have sought to stymie this freedom
of expression and, conversely, reveals the tragedy of those whose voices have been
silenced under such oppression.
Freedom of expression is one thing, but hate speech is another. As a concept that has
now entered common parlance, hate speech refers to attacks based on race, ethnicity,
religion, and increasingly, on sexual orientation or preference.
While hate speech is not a specific offence in New Zealand, the Human Rights Act
1993 includes provisions addressing civil and criminal liability in relation to
encouraging racial dissonance or unrest.
The Crimes Act 1961 also has provisions that can result in convictions and significant
sentences if threats are made to harm or kill others or damage property.
Further, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which New
Zealand is a signatory, states that advocating national, racial or religious hatred that
constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence is legally prohibited.
Let me be clear, hate speech is not free speech. Moreover, as Moana Jackson has
eloquently argued, free speech has, especially in colonial societies, long been
mobilised as a vehicle for racist comments, judgements and practices.
Hate speech is repugnant, or as one American legal academic has stated, hate speech
is "a rape of human dignity".
Hate speech should be called out for what it is, especially when it incites violence
against minorities.
Beyond the reach of the law, however, the battle against hate speech is fought most
effectively through education and courageous leadership, rather than through
suppression or legal censure.
And this is where universities can take positive action by providing a venue for
reasoned discussion and cogent argument.
After all, the Education Act 1989 compels us to act as "critic and conscience" of
society.
This does not just mean protecting the values of academic freedom, it also means
standing up for what is right.
I do not see this is a zero-sum game aimed at limiting the right to free speech or the
expression of differing or radical or even erroneous ideas.
Academics have a responsibility to engage with the communities we serve, to correct

error and prejudice and to offer expert views, informed by evidence, reason and well-
informed argument.
Given the current dominance of wall-to-wall social media and the echo chambers of
fake news, universities are in many ways obliged to make positive societal
interventions.
Universities support our staff and students to push boundaries, test the evidence that
is put to them and challenge societal norms, including examining controversial and
unpopular ideas.
This also obliges our institutions to support staff if and when they are attacked for
engaging in such debates.
In this regard, I am guided by the University of California's former President Clark

Kerr's oft-cited maxim that "the role of universities is not to make ideas safe for
students, but to make students safe for ideas".
Public universities have an obligation to uphold our civic leadership role in society
and our first responsibility, I would argue, is to do no harm.
Universities are characterised by the academic values of tolerance, civility, and

respect for human dignity.
And that is why it is important to identify and call out any shift from free speech
towards hate speech. The challenge we face is to clarify when that shift occurs and to
counter it with reason and compassion.
Hate speech has no place at a university. My university values our commitment to

ideas and scholarship and free expression.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is at the centre of our university strategy, emphasising the

importance of positive national leadership and supporting fundamental human values
alongside academic ones. This is where Te Tiriti, with its emphasis on partnership,
respect and tolerance, has much to teach us all.
Sent from my iPad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Opinion Piece - Well done!
Date: 18 July 2018 9:33:45 AM
Hi Jan,

From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Date: 18 July 2018 10:46:23 AM
Ata marie e hoa ma
it.
Cheers
Jan
Jan Thomas: Free speech is welcome

at universities, hate speech is not
Stefan Molyneux and Lauren Southern had an "alt right" speaking event in Auckland cancelled after
Mayor Phil of s message that they were not welcome. Photo Supplied
COMMENT:
Phil of made it clear the two speakers, auren Southern and Stefan
While I support Mr of s decision, it has kicked of a tide of controversy

and has again raised the issue of what diferentiates free speech from hate
speech.
Issues such as this are increasingly common in New Zealand. as year a

group of high-profle New Zealanders put their names to a satement
universities following the demise of a sudent group promoting white
supremacis beliefs.
The recent debate that swirled around the proposed esablishment of Māori
wards in parts of New Zealand including Palmerson North and the
Manawat isrict home to one of Massey University s campuses came
Pledge network.
care?

isory is littered with examples of tyrants who have sought to symie this

preference.
While hate speech is not a specifc ofence in New Zealand, the uman
relation to encouraging racial dissonance or unres.
signifcant sentences if threats are made to harm or kill others or damage
property.

New Zealand is a signatory, sates that advocating national, racial or
religious hatred that consitutes incitement to discrimination, hosility or
been mobilised as a vehicle for racis comments, judgements and practices.
ate speech is repugnant, or as one American legal academic has sated,

violence agains minorities.
eyond the reach of the law, however, the battle agains hate speech is
fought mos efectively through education and courageous leadership, rather
This does not jus mean protecting the values of academic freedom, it also
means sanding up for what is right.
speech or the expression of difering or radical or even erroneous ideas.

to correct error and prejudice and to ofer expert views, informed by
Universities support our saf and sudents to push boundaries, tes the
This also obliges our insitutions to support saf if and when they are

ideas safe for sudents, but to make sudents safe for ideas .

society and our frs responsibility, I would argue, is to do no harm.


Te Tiriti o Waitangi is at the centre of our university srategy, emphasising

Sent from my iPad

From: Thomas, Jan
To:

Date: 19 July 2018 1:04:29 PM
Thanks but it’s no worries.
Sent from my iPhone
On 19/07/2018, at 11:01 AM, wrote:
Jan
I’m sorry about this and that this is getting personal. Just had a bit of a robust discussion with
from here at who thinks that universities should support free speech, without any
limitation. A bit of a simplistic position. I think the issue of whether or not its hate speech pivots
around the notion of harm.
Happy to assist in any way.
Nga mihi,

Date: Thursday, 19 July 2018 at 11:40 AM
To: "
Cc: "
Yes I have and am receiving quite a lot of direct feedback positive and very negative ( and very
personal). It’s what one might expect when you stick your head above the parapet- doing tv
interview tomorrow on my radio interview this morning.
Interestingly most people think this is about Islam because of the speakers that Goff banned.
I do think this is critical and conscience stuff.
Council members were very pleased with op ed
J
Sent from my iPhone
On 19/07/2018, at 9:28 AM, wrote:
Jan
You will have seen this?
https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2018/07/dont_study_at_massey_university_if_you_like_free_speech.html
Naku noa, na,

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Date: 19 July 2018 1:01:56 PM
Jan
I’m sorry about this and that this is getting personal. Just had a bit of a robust discussion with from
here at who thinks that universities should support free speech, without any limitation. A bit of a
simplistic position. I think the issue of whether or not its hate speech pivots around the notion of harm.
Happy to assist in any way.
Nga mihi,

Date: Thursday, 19 July 2018 at 11:40 AM
To: "
Cc: "
Yes I have and am receiving quite a lot of direct feedback positive and very negative ( and very personal). It’s
what one might expect when you stick your head above the parapet- doing tv interview tomorrow on
my radio interview this morning.
Interestingly most people think this is about Islam because of the speakers that Goff banned.
I do think this is critical and conscience stuff.
Council members were very pleased with op ed
J
Sent from my iPhone
On 19/07/2018, at 9:28 AM, > wrote:
Jan
You will have seen this?
https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2018/07/dont_study_at_massey_university_if_you_like_free_speech.html
Naku noa, na,

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: How Conservatives Weaponized the First Amendment - The New York Times
Date: 19 July 2018 11:03:46 AM
Hi Jan,
I much appreciated your comments on hate speech this morning on RNZ. In case you
haven’t seen it, the article below appeared in the New York Times a fortnight back, and I
think it is the most interesting broad picture analysis of hate speech that I’ve seen for many
years.
There was also an article in the Washington Post yesterday in which various US free
speech advocates welcomed the US IRD decision no longer to collect the names of
individuals and organisations that make multi-million dollar political donations (following
the US Supreme Court Citizens United decision of course). I’ll foward it separately.
How ironic that the standard argument for free speech is that it is essential to maintain
democracy - which I fully agree with - but now it is being repurposed by reactionary
elements to supress democracy and increase the capacity of the 0.1% to gain even more
money and political influence at the expense of the rest of us.
It is essential that we start discussing these negative secondary effects as well as

continuing to assert that free speech is foundational to democracy. Keep up the good work!
Kind regards
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/30/us/politics/first-amendment-conservatives-supreme-
court.html
How Conservatives Weaponized the

Firs Amendment
June 30, 2018
Trump supporters signing a poser promoting free speech at a rally in in erkeley, Calif.Jim
Wilson/The New York Times
WAS IN TON — On the fnal day of the Supreme Court term las week,
Jusice Elena Kagan sounded an alarm.
The court’s fve conservative members, citing the Firs Amendment, had jus
dealt public unions a devasating blow. The day before, the same majority
had used the Firs Amendment to reject a California law requiring
religiously oriented “crisis pregnancy centers” to provide women with
information about abortion.
Conservatives, said Jusice Kagan, who is part of the court’s four-member

liberal wing, were “weaponizing the Firs Amendment.”
The two decisions were the lates in a sunning run of victories for a
conservative agenda that has increasingly been built on the foundation of
free speech. Conservative groups, borrowing and building on arguments
developed by liberals, have used the Firs Amendment to jusify unlimited
campaign spending, discrimination agains gay couples and attacks on the
regulation of tobacco, pharmaceuticals and guns.
“The right, which had for years been hosile to and very nervous about a
srong Firs Amendment, has rediscovered it,” said Burt Neuborne, a law
professor at New York University.
The Citizens United campaign fnance case, for insance, was decided on
free-speech grounds, with the fve-jusice conservative majority ruling that
the Firs Amendment protects unlimited campaign spending by corporations.
The government, the majority said, has no business regulating political
speech.
The dissenters responded that the Firs Amendment did not require allowing
corporate money to ood the political marketplace and corrupt democracy.
“The libertarian position has become dominant on the right on Firs

Amendment issues,” said Ilya Shapiro, a lawyer with the Cato Insitute. “It
simply means that we should be skeptical of government attempts to
regulate speech. That used to be an uncontroversial and nonideological
point. What’s now being called the libertarian position on speech was in the
1960s the liberal position on speech.”
And an increasingly conservative judiciary has been more than a little

receptive to this argument. A new analysis prepared for The New York
Times found that the Supreme Court under Chief Jusice John . oberts Jr.
has been far more likely to embrace free-speech arguments concerning
conservative speech than liberal speech. That is a sharp break from earlier
eras.
As a result, liberals who once championed expansive Firs Amendment

rights are now uneasy about them.
“The left was once not jus on board but leading in supporting the broades
Firs Amendment protections,” said Floyd Abrams, a prominent Firs
Amendment lawyer and a supporter of broad free-speech rights. “Now the
progressive community is at leas skeptical and sometimes disraught at the
level of Firs Amendment protection which is being aforded in cases
brought by litigants on the right.”
Many on the left have traded an absolutis commitment to free speech for
one sensitive to the harms it can in ict.
Take pornography and sreet protess. iberals were once largely united in
fghting to protect sexually explicit materials from government censorship.
Now many on the left see pornography as an assault on women’s rights.
In 1977, many liberals supported the right of the American Nazi Party to
march among olocaus survivors in Skokie, Ill. Far fewer supported the
free-speech rights of the white nationaliss who marched las year in
Charlottesville, Va.
There was a certain naïveté in how liberals used to approach free speech,
said Frederick Schauer, a law professor at the University of Virginia.
“Because so many free-speech claims of the 1950s and 1960s involved anti-
obscenity claims, or civil rights and anti- ietnam War protess, it was easy
for the left to sympathize with the speakers or believe that speech in general
was harmless,” he said. “But the claim that speech was harmless or causally
inert was never true, even if it has taken recent events to convince the left of
that. The quesion, then, is why the left ever believed otherwise.”
Some liberals now say that free speech disproportionately protects the
powerful and the satus quo.
“When I was younger, I had more of the sandard liberal view of civil
liberties,” said Louis Michael Seidman, a law professor at Georgetown.
“And I’ve gradually changed my mind about it. What I have come to see is
that it’s a misake to think of free speech as an efective means to
accomplish a more jus society.”
To the contrary, free speech reinforces and amplifes injusice, Catharine A.

MacKinnon, a law professor at the University of Michigan, wrote in “The
Free Speech Century,” a collection of essays to be published this year.
“Once a defense of the powerless, the Firs Amendment over the las
hundred years has mainly become a weapon of the powerful,” she wrote.
“Legally, what was, toward the beginning of the 20th century, a shield for
radicals, artiss and activiss, socialiss and pacifss, the excluded and the
dispossessed, has become a sword for authoritarians, raciss and
misogyniss, Nazis and Klansmen, pornographers and corporations buying
elections.”
Judge obert . ork in . “Consitutional protection should be accorded only to speech that is
explicitly political,” he wrote in 1971 in a law-review article. “There is no basis for judicial intervention
to protect any other form of expression, be it scientifc, literary or that variety of expression we call
obscene or pornographic.”Jose R. Lopez/The New York Times
Changing Interpretations
In the great Firs Amendment cases in the middle of the th century, few
conservatives spoke up for the protection of political dissenters, including
communiss and civil rights leaders, comedians using vulgar language on the
airwaves or artiss exploring sexuality in novels and on flm.
In 1971, Robert H. Bork, then a prominent conservative law professor and

later a federal judge and Supreme Court nominee, wrote that the Firs
Amendment should be interpreted narrowly in a law-review article that
remains one of the mos-cited of all time.
“Consitutional protection should be accorded only to speech that is
explicitly political,” he wrote. “There is no basis for judicial intervention to
protect any other form of expression, be it scientifc, literary or that variety
of expression we call obscene or pornographic.”
But a transformative ruling by the Supreme Court fve years later began to
change that thinking. The case, a challenge to a sate law that banned
advertising the prices of prescription drugs, was fled by Public Citizen, a
consumer rights group founded by Ralph Nader. The group argued that the
law hurt consumers, and helped persuade the court, in Virginia State Board
of Pharmacy v. Virginia Citizens Consumer Council, to protect advertising
and other commercial speech.
The only dissent in the decision came from Jusice William . ehnquis,
the court’s mos conservative member.
Kathleen M. Sullivan, a former dean of Stanford Law School, wrote that it

did not take long for corporations to see the opportunities presented by the
decision.
“While the case was litigated by consumer protection advocates,” she wrote
in the Harvard Law Review, “corporate speakers soon became the principal
benefciaries of subsequent rulings that, for example, sruck down
resrictions on including alcohol content on beer can labels, limitations on
outdoor tobacco advertising near schools and rules governing how
compounded drugs may be advertised.”
That trend has continued, with businesses mounting Firs Amendment

challenges to gun control laws, securities regulations, country-of-origin
labels, graphic cigarette warnings and limits on of-label drug marketing.
“I was a bit queasy about it because I had the sense that we were unleashing
something, but nowhere near what happened,” Mr. Nader said. “It was one
of the bigges boomerangs in judicial cases ever.”
“I couldn’t be Merlin,” he added. “We never thought the judiciary would be

as conservative or corporate. This was an expansion that was not
preordained by doctrine. It was preordained by the political philosophies of
judges.”
Not all of the liberal scholars and lawyers who helped create modern Firs
Amendment law are disappointed. Martin Redish, a law professor at
Northwesern University, who wrote a seminal 1971 article proposing Firs
Amendment protection for commercial speech, said he was pleased with the
Roberts court’s decisions.
“Its mos important contributions are in the commercial speech and

corporate speech areas,” he said. “It’s a workmanlike, common sense
approach.”
iberals also played a key role in creating modern campaign fnance law in
Buckley v. Valeo , the decision that sruck down limits on political
spending by individuals and was the basis for Citizens United, the 2010
decision that did away with similar limits for corporations and unions.
One plaintif was Senator Eugene J. McCarthy, emocrat of Minnesota,

who had challenged President Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1968 presidential
primaries — from the left. Another was the American Civil Liberties
Union’s New ork afliate.
Professor Neuborne, a former A.C.L.U. lawyer, said he now regrets the role
he played in winning the case. “I signed the brief in Buckley,” he said. “I’m
going to spend long amounts of time in purgatory.”
To Professor Seidman, cases like these were part of what he describes as a

right-wing takeover of the Firs Amendment since the liberal victories in the
years Chief Jusice Earl Warren led the Supreme Court.
“With the receding of Warren court liberalism, free-speech law took a sharp
right turn,” Professor Seidman wrote in a new article to be published in the
Columbia aw eview. “Insead of providing a shield for the powerless, the
Firs Amendment became a sword used by people at the apex of the
American hierarchy of power. Among its victims: proponents of campaign
fnance reform, opponents of cigarette addiction, the . . .T. .
community, labor unions, animal rights advocates, environmentaliss, targets
of hate speech and abortion providers.”
The title of the article asked, “Can Free Speech Be Progressive?”
“The answer,” the article said, “is no.”
Shifting Right
The right turn has been even more pronounced under Chief Jusice oberts.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a larger share of Firs Amendment
cases concerning conservative speech than earlier courts had, according to
the sudy prepared for The Times. And it has ruled in favor of conservative
speech at a higher rate than liberal speech as compared to earlier courts.
The court’s docket re ects something new and disinctive about the oberts
court, according to the sudy, which was conducted by ee Epsein, a law
professor and political scientis at Washington University in St. ouis
Andrew . Martin, a political scientis at the University of Michigan and the
dean of its College of Literature, Science and the Arts; and Kevin Quinn, a
political scientis at the University of Michigan.
“The Roberts court — more than any modern court — has trained its sights
on speech promoting conservative values,” the sudy found. “Only the
current court has resolved a higher fraction of disputes challenging the
suppression of conservative rather than liberal expression.”
The court led by Chief Jusice Earl Warren from to was almos
exclusively concerned with cases concerning liberal speech. Of its 60 free-
expression cases, only fve, or about percent, challenged the suppression of
conservative speech.
The proportion of challenges to resrictions on conservative speech has

seadily increased. It rose to percent in the court led by Chief Jusice
Warren E. Burger from 1969 to 1986; to 42 percent in the court led by Chief
Jusice William . ehnquis from to and to percent in the
Roberts court.
The Roberts court does more than hear a larger proportion of cases
concerning conservative expression. It is also far more likely than earlier
courts to rule for conservative speech than for liberal speech. The result, the
sudy found, has been “a fundamental transformation of the court’s free-
expression agenda.”
In pas decades, broad coalitions of jusices have often been receptive to

Firs Amendment arguments. The court has protected videos of animal
cruelty, hateful protess at military funerals, violent video games and lies
about military awards, often by lopsided margins.
ut las week’s two Firs Amendment blockbusers were decided by -to-

votes, with the conservatives in the majority ruling in favor of conservative
plaintifs.
On Tuesday, Jusice Clarence Thomas wrote for the majority that requiring
health clinics opposed to abortion to tell women how to obtain the procedure
violated the clinics’ free-speech rights. In dissent, Jusice Stephen . reyer
said that was a misuse of Firs Amendment principles.
“Using the Firs Amendment to srike down economic and social laws that
legislatures long would have thought themselves free to enact will, for the
American public, obscure, not clarify, the true value of protecting freedom
of speech,” Jusice reyer wrote.
On Wednesday, in announcing the decision on public unions, Jusice Samuel

A. Alito Jr. said the court was applying settled and neutral Firs Amendment
principles to protect workers from being forced to say things at odds with
their beliefs. e suggesed that the decision on public unions should have
been unanimous.
“Compelling individuals to mouth support for views they fnd objectionable

violates that cardinal consitutional command, and in mos contexts, any
such efort would be universally condemned,” he wrote. “Suppose, for
example, that the State of Illinois required all residents to sign a document
expressing support for a particular set of positions on controversial public
issues — say, the platform of one of the major political parties. No one, we
trus, would seriously argue that the Firs Amendment permits this.”
In response, Jusice Kagan said the court’s conservatives had found a

dangerous tool, “turning the Firs Amendment into a sword.” The United
States, she said, should brace itself.
“Speech is everywhere — a part of every human activity (employment,

health care, securities trading, you name it),” she wrote. “For that reason,
almos all economic and regulatory policy afects or touches speech. So the
majority’s road runs long. And at every sop are black-robed rulers
overriding citizens’ choices.”
Sent from my iPad

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re: ACU Peace and Reconciliation meeting
Date: 20 July 2018 9:16:27 AM
Mōrena Jan
Yes, can dō – am ōn annual leave tōday and ōut ōf tōwn, but can pull sōmething tōgether
ōver the weekend. I nōte the extended deadline belōw.
I’ll ensure Massey submits bōth in terms ōf applicatiōn as a researcher and mine
frōm a management perspective.
Naku nōa, na,
Prōfessōr
From: "Thōmas, Jan" <J.B.Thōmas@massey.ac.nz>

Date: Friday, 20 July 2018 at 8:51 AM
To:
Subject: Fwd: ACU Peace and Recōnciliatiōn meeting
Mōrena
I knōw an EōI is gōing intō frōm cōllege but alsō wōndering if yōu ( ōr me, but yōu better)
shōuld put sōmething in ōn the free speech /hate speech debate in NZ. The rōle ōf management
when stepping in tō academic debate, Very tōpical in Oz as well at the mōment given ANU etc .
Jan
Sent frōm my iPhōne
Begin fōrwarded message:
From: >
Date: 20 July 2018 at 2:49:19 AM AEST
To: "J.B.Thōmas@massey.ac.nz" <J.B.Thōmas@massey.ac.nz>
Subject: ACU Peace and Reconciliation meeting
Dear Jan
It was lōvely tō see yōu at the Cōuncil meeting and I hōpe yōu enjōyed being part ōf
the Trump prōtests!
I was wōndering if I cōuld ask fōr yōur help in publicising the scōping sessiōn fōr ōur
peace and recōnciliatiōn netwōrk? As a quick refresh, the ACU has partnered with
the University ōf Melbōurne tō explōre the pōtential fōr Cōmmōnwealth-wide
university cōllabōratiōn under the themes ōf peace and recōnciliatiōn.
The New Zealand cōntext, and the expertise New Zealand institutiōns, wōuld be an
invaluable cōntributiōn. I was wōndering if any ōf yōur cōlleagues wōuld be
interesting in submitting an tō represent New Zealand at the scōping sessiōn at the
University ōf Melbōurne in Octōber.
Please see attached further details ōn the prōpōsed netwōrk and what is required
fōr an EOI. The deadline fōr EOIs has been set fōr 20 July but we are extending the
deadline by a few weeks tō allōw fōr further submissiōns.
In the meantime, if yōu need anything else frōm me, dō let me knōw.
Best wishes
From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Subject: Re: ACU Peace and Reconciliation meeting
Date: 20 July 2018 9:20:19 AM
Great !
Sent from my iPhone
On 20/07/2018, at 7:16 AM, wrote:
Mōrena Jan
Yes, can dō – am ōn annual leave tōday and ōut ōf tōwn, but can pull
sōmething tōgether ōver the weekend. I nōte the extended deadline belōw.
I’ll ensure Massey submits bōth in terms ōf applicatiōn as a
researcher and mine frōm a management perspective.
Naku nōa, na,

Date: Friday, 20 July 2018 at 8:51 AM
To: "
Subject: Fwd: ACU Peace and Recōnciliatiōn meeting
Mōrena
I knōw an EōI is gōing intō frōm cōllege but alsō wōndering if yōu ( ōr me, but
yōu better) shōuld put sōmething in ōn the free speech /hate speech debate in NZ.
The rōle ōf management when stepping in tō academic debate, Very tōpical in Oz
as well at the mōment given ANU etc .
Jan
From:
Dear Jan
It was lōvely tō see yōu at the Cōuncil meeting and I hōpe yōu enjōyed
being part ōf the Trump prōtests!
I was wōndering if I cōuld ask fōr yōur help in publicising the scōping
sessiōn fōr ōur peace and recōnciliatiōn netwōrk? As a quick refresh,
the ACU has partnered with the University ōf Melbōurne tō explōre
the pōtential fōr Cōmmōnwealth-wide university cōllabōratiōn under
the themes ōf peace and recōnciliatiōn.
The New Zealand cōntext, and the expertise New Zealand institutiōns,
wōuld be an invaluable cōntributiōn. I was wōndering if any ōf yōur
cōlleagues wōuld be interesting in submitting an tō represent New
Zealand at the scōping sessiōn at the University ōf Melbōurne in
Octōber.
Please see attached further details ōn the prōpōsed netwōrk and

what is required fōr an EOI. The deadline fōr EOIs has been set fōr 20
July but we are extending the deadline by a few weeks tō allōw fōr
further submissiōns.
In the meantime, if yōu need anything else frōm me, dō let me knōw.
Best wishes
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: Fwd: Interview request for Vice-Chancellor on hate speech .v. freedom of speech
Date: 20 July 2018 6:52:44 PM
From:
Date: 20 July 2018 at 5:41:34 PM NZST
To:
Subject: Interview request for Vice-Chancellor on hate speech .v.

freedom of speech
Kia ora
Follow up on our phone conversation earlier this afternoon:
Request: An interview with Vice-Chancellor Jan Thomas up against

Don Brash
When: Pre-record next week at a time that suits both parties
Where: Maori Television at the address below is the preference

OR
Skyped Interview
Duration: 8 minutes
Topic: Two right-wing Canadians have been granted visas

for a speaking tour of New Zealand reigniting the
debate over free speech. An advocacy group
launched legal action against Auckland Mayor Phil
Goff and his council for denying a venue for the two
speakers. The legal action won support from
Hobson’s Pledge advocate Don Brash. The dispute
prompted the Vice-Chancellor of Massey University,
Professor Jan Thomas, to publish an opinion piece on
the difference between free speech and hate speech.
They join me now.
Interview: Political reporter
Programme: Kawekorero
Genre: News and Current Affairs
Look forward to hearing from you
PO Box 64-341, Botany, Auckland 2163, New Zealand

433 East Tamaki Road, East Tamaki, Auckland 2013, New Zealand
The views expressed in this e-mail and any accompanying

attachments do not necessarily reflect those of Maori
Television. Maori Television does not accept any responsibility
whatsoever for any loss or damage that may result from reliance
on or the use of the information contained in this e-mail or
accompanying attachments. This e-mail together with any
accompanying attachments may be confidential and subject to
privilege. If you have received this message in error, please
notify the sender immediately by return e-mail or telephone and
delete this message. You may not copy, disclose or use the
contents in any way. Kia ora.
From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Subject: Fwd: ACU Peace and Reconciliation meeting
Date: 20 July 2018 8:51:26 AM
Attachments: Call for EOIs - Commonwealth Peace and Reconciliation Network Scoping Se....pdf
ATT00001.htm
Morena
I know an EoI is going into from college but also wondering if you ( or me, but you
better) should put something in on the free speech /hate speech debate in NZ. The role of
management when stepping in to academic debate, Very topical in Oz as well at the
moment given ANU etc .
Jan
Sent from my iPhone
From:
To: "J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz" <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>
Dear Jan
It was lovely to see you at the Council meeting and I hope you enjoyed being part of
the Trump protests!
I was wondering if I could ask for your help in publicising the scoping session for our
peace and reconciliation network? As a quick refresh, the ACU has partnered with
the University of Melbourne to explore the potential for Commonwealth-wide
university collaboration under the themes of peace and reconciliation.
The New Zealand context, and the expertise New Zealand institutions, would be an
invaluable contribution. I was wondering if any of your colleagues would be
interesting in submitting an to represent New Zealand at the scoping session at the
University of Melbourne in October.
Please see attached further details on the proposed network and what is required
for an EOI. The deadline for EOIs has been set for 20 July but we are extending the
deadline by a few weeks to allow for further submissions.
In the meantime, if you need anything else from me, do let me know.
Best wishes
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject:
Date: 22 July 2018 3:07:47 PM
Attachments:
Tēnā koē kēi tē kāiwhākāihu o tē wākā ē Jān,
E rērē tonu ānā tē rēo māiohā ki ā koē i tē nui o tē tāutoko ki tēnēi kāupāpā hou, ko Toro
Māi. Kāti ko tē tumānāko, kēi tē nui tē orā, kēi tē puāwāi ngā māhi kātoā.
I hopē thē visit to Singāporē wēnt wēll. Your rēcēnt ārticlē on Hātē Spēēch ānd thē
Acādēmy hās gārnērēd immēnsē support ānd hās sēnt ān incrēdibly strong mēssāgē to thē
nātion ānd thē world.
Look forwārd to cātching up āgāin in duē coursē. I will sēnd to thē othēr documēnt ās
promisēd lātēr this wēēk.
Kiā tāu tonu rā ngā mānāākitāngā,

From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Fwd: Jan Thomas: Free speech is welcome at universities, hate speech is not - NZ Herald
Date: 22 July 2018 12:52:14 PM
Sent from my iPhone
From:
Subject: Re: Jan Thomas: Free speech is welcome at universities, hate
speech is not - NZ Herald
Jan - a wonderful piece. Well done.
Let’s see how the landscape looks in a few days.
via iPhone
On 18/07/2018, at 10:43 AM, Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>

wrote:
Kia ora ano e hoa

Attached. I will also send to Council
Thanks for chat
Jan Thomas: Free speech

is welcome at universities,
hate speech is not
Auckland cancelled after Mayor Phil of s message that they were not
COMMENT:
An "alt right" speaking event in Auckland has been

cancelled after Mayor Phil of made it clear the two
speakers, Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux, were
not welcome and the council would not provide a
venue for "hate speech" by people who sought to abuse
and insult others.
While I support Mr of s decision, it has kicked of a

tide of controversy and has again raised the issue of
what diferentiates free speech from hate speech.
Issues such as this are increasingly common in New

Zealand. as year a group of high-profle New
Zealanders put their names to a satement supporting
free speech on New Zealand university campuses.
The open letter warned that freedom of speech was

under threat at our universities following the demise of
a sudent group promoting white supremacis beliefs.
The recent debate that swirled around the proposed

esablishment of Māori wards in parts of New Zealand
including Palmerson North and the Manawat isrict
– home to one of Massey University's campuses –
came dangerously close to hate speech, mobilised in
large part by the Hobson's Pledge network.
So, when does free speech become hate speech and

why should universities care?
The right to speak freely is a bedrock principle of

democratic society. This includes the right to hold
opinions and express one's views without fear and the
ability to freely communicate one's ideas.
isory is littered with examples of tyrants who have

sought to symie this freedom of expression and,
conversely, reveals the tragedy of those whose voices
have been silenced under such oppression.
Freedom of expression is one thing, but hate speech is

another. As a concept that has now entered common
parlance, hate speech refers to attacks based on race,
ethnicity, religion, and increasingly, on sexual
orientation or preference.
While hate speech is not a specifc ofence in New

Zealand, the Human Rights Act 1993 includes
provisions addressing civil and criminal liability in
relation to encouraging racial dissonance or unres.
The Crimes Act 1961 also has provisions that can result
in convictions and signifcant sentences if threats are
made to harm or kill others or damage property.
Further, the International Covenant on Civil and

Political Rights, to which New Zealand is a signatory,
sates that advocating national, racial or religious hatred
that consitutes incitement to discrimination, hosility
or violence is legally prohibited.
Let me be clear, hate speech is not free speech.

Moreover, as Moana Jackson has eloquently argued,
free speech has, especially in colonial societies, long
been mobilised as a vehicle for racis comments,
judgements and practices.
Hate speech is repugnant, or as one American legal

academic has sated, hate speech is a rape of human
dignity".
Hate speech should be called out for what it is,
especially when it incites violence agains minorities.
Beyond the reach of the law, however, the battle

agains hate speech is fought mos efectively through
education and courageous leadership, rather than
through suppression or legal censure.
And this is where universities can take positive action

by providing a venue for reasoned discussion and
cogent argument.
After all, the Education Act 1989 compels us to act as

"critic and conscience" of society.
This does not jus mean protecting the values of

academic freedom, it also means sanding up for what
is right.
I do not see this is a zero-sum game aimed at limiting

the right to free speech or the expression of difering or
radical or even erroneous ideas.
Academics have a responsibility to engage with the

communities we serve, to correct error and prejudice
and to ofer expert views, informed by evidence, reason
and well-informed argument.
Given the current dominance of wall-to-wall social

media and the echo chambers of fake news, universities
are in many ways obliged to make positive societal
interventions.
Universities support our saf and sudents to push

boundaries, tes the evidence that is put to them and
challenge societal norms, including examining
controversial and unpopular ideas.
This also obliges our insitutions to support saf if and
when they are attacked for engaging in such debates.
In this regard, I am guided by the University of

California's former President Clark Kerr's oft-cited
maxim that "the role of universities is not to make ideas
safe for sudents, but to make sudents safe for ideas .
And as I regularly remind our graduates, with rights

come responsibilities.
Public universities have an obligation to uphold our

civic leadership role in society and our frs
responsibility, I would argue, is to do no harm.
Universities are characterised by the academic values

of tolerance, civility, and respect for human dignity.
And that is why it is important to identify and call out

any shift from free speech towards hate speech. The
challenge we face is to clarify when that shift occurs
and to counter it with reason and compassion.
Hate speech has no place at a university. My university

values our commitment to ideas and scholarship and
free expression.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is at the centre of our university

srategy, emphasising the importance of positive
national leadership and supporting fundamental human
values alongside academic ones. This is where Te
Tiriti, with its emphasis on partnership, respect and
tolerance, has much to teach us all.
• Professor Jan Thomas is Vice-Chancellor of

Massey University.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Free speech vs. hate speech: Where should we draw the line? - The Listener
Date: 23 July 2018 8:21:04 PM
Jan
The latest from the current Listener:
https://www.noted.co.nz/currently/social-issues/free-speech-hate-speech-where-should-we-draw-line/
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: Re: Interview request for Vice-Chancellor on hate speech .v. freedom of speech
Date: 23 July 2018 12:23:51 PM
Okay I’ll let them know.
From: Jan Thomas <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>

Date: Monday, 23 July 2018 at 11:51 AM
To:
Subject: RE: Interview request for Vice-Chancellor on hate speech .v. freedom of speech
Hi
I don’t think this is in Massey, or my, interest. While the op ed made it clear that Massey doesn’t
tolerate this and which I am happy to keep saying, I don’t particularly want to become the poster
child for the Anti-Brash movement away from the university environment.
Much as i love watching kawekorero, I think I would prefer to be on there talking up the
positives about Massey’s commitment to Te Tiriti etc rather than to attack Brash per se.
Also hard to schedule, but of lessor consequence
From:
Sent: Friday, 20 July 2018 6:53 PM
Cc:
Subject: Fwd: Interview request for Vice-Chancellor on hate speech .v. freedom of speech
From:
Date: 20 July 2018 at 5:41:34 PM NZST
To: "
Subject: Interview request for Vice-Chancellor on hate speech .v. freedom of

speech
Kia ora

Don Brash

OR
Skyped Interview
Duration: 8 minutes

They join me now.

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: FW: Interview request for Vice-Chancellor on hate speech .v. freedom of speech
Date: 23 July 2018 4:09:23 PM
image004.png
Jan I had a chat wtih and he has re-pitched his request. They are quite
happy not to involve Don Brash.
From:
Date: Monday, 23 July 2018 at 2:29 PM
To:
Cc:
Subject: RE: Interview request for Vice-Chancellor on hate speech .v. freedom of speech
Kia ora
Thanks for the response. If Professor Thomas isn’t interested in a 2-header with Don Brash how
about a solo interview about the following:
1. Why has she committed Massey University to being a treaty-led university, what does that
mean?
2. Why has a white Australian academic made a personal commitment to learning Te Reo
Reo since arriving here in January of last year?
3. How is that journey progressing?
4. You’ve worked at universities in Queensland and Perth, to what extent are they delivering
to the indigenous people of Australia?
5. You felt the need to go public with your article about the difference between hate speech
and free speech, why?
Could we interview her tomorrow via Skype or later in the week when she’s in Auckland here at
the channel
Look forward to your response

From:
Sent:
To:
Kia ora
Thank you for the opportunity. Unfortunately Professor Thomas has declined.
Kind regards
From:
Date: Friday, 20 July 2018 at 5:42 PM
To:
Subject: Interview request for Vice-Chancellor on hate speech .v. freedom of speech
Kia ora
Request: An interview with Vice-Chancellor Jan Thomas up against Don Brash

Where: Maori Television at the address below is the preference OR
Skyped Interview
Duration: 8 minutes
Topic: Two right-wing Canadians have been granted visas for a

speaking tour of New Zealand reigniting the debate over free
speech. An advocacy group launched legal action against
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff and his council for denying a venue for
the two speakers. The legal action won support from Hobson’s
Pledge advocate Don Brash. The dispute prompted the Vice-
Chancellor of Massey University, Professor Jan Thomas, to
publish an opinion piece on the difference between free speech
and hate speech. They join me now.

The views expressed in this e-mail and any accompanying attachments do not
necessarily reflect those of Maori Television. Maori Television does not
accept any responsibility whatsoever for any loss or damage that may
result from reliance on or the use of the information contained in this e-
mail or accompanying attachments. This e-mail together with any
accompanying attachments may be confidential and subject to privilege. If
you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
immediately by return e-mail or telephone and delete this message. You may
not copy, disclose or use the contents in any way. Kia ora.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Date: 23 July 2018 10:51:53 PM
What about Thursday in Ak?
Kia ora ano

This looks great, really happy to do this.
and I were talking about flying up and back Thursday for this. I think better
to do in studio than via Skype. People look odd via Skype.
J
Sent from my iPhone
On 23/07/2018, at 4:09 PM, >

wrote:
Jan I had a chat wtih and he has re-pitched his

request. They are quite happy not to involve Don Brash.
From:
To:
Cc:
Subject: RE: Interview request for Vice-Chancellor on hate speech
.v. freedom of speech
Kia ora
Thanks for the response. If Professor Thomas isn’t interested in a 2-

header with Don Brash how about a solo interview about the
following:
1. Why has she committed Massey University to being a treaty-led

university, what does that mean?
2. Why has a white Australian academic made a personal
commitment to learning Te Reo Reo since arriving here in
January of last year?
4. You’ve worked at universities in Queensland and Perth, to what
extent are they delivering to the indigenous people of
Australia?
5. You felt the need to go public with your article about the
difference between hate speech and free speech, why?
Could we interview her tomorrow via Skype or later in the week when
she’s in Auckland here at the channel
<image001.png>
<image002.jpg>
From:
Sent: Rahina, 23 Hongongoi, 2018 12:28 p.m.
To:
Subject: Re: Interview request for Vice-Chancellor on hate speech .v.
freedom of speech
Kia ora
Thank you for the opportunity. Unfortunately Professor

Thomas has declined.
Kind regards
Private Bag 11 222 Manawatu Mail Centre
<image003.jpg>
From:
To:
Cc:
Subject: Interview request for Vice-Chancellor on hate speech .v.

freedom of speech
Kia ora
Request: An interview with Vice-Chancellor Jan

Thomas up against Don Brash
When: Pre-record next week at a time that suits

both parties
Where: Maori Television at the address below is the

preference OR
Skyped Interview
Duration: 8 minutes
Topic: Two right-wing Canadians have been

granted visas for a speaking tour of New
Zealand reigniting the debate over free
speech. An advocacy group launched
legal action against Auckland Mayor Phil
Goff and his council for denying a venue
for the two speakers. The legal action won
support from Hobson’s Pledge advocate
Don Brash. The dispute prompted the
Vice-Chancellor of Massey University,
Professor Jan Thomas, to publish an
opinion piece on the difference between
free speech and hate speech. They join
me now.
<image004.png>
<image005.jpg>
The views expressed in this e-mail and any

accompanying attachments do not necessarily reflect
those of Maori Television. Maori Television does not
accept any responsibility whatsoever for any loss or
damage that may result from reliance on or the use of
the information contained in this e-mail or
accompanying attachments. This e-mail together with
any accompanying attachments may be confidential and
subject to privilege. If you have received this
message in error, please notify the sender immediately
by return e-mail or telephone and delete this message.
You may not copy, disclose or use the contents in any
way. Kia ora.
The views expressed in this e-mail and any

accompanying attachments do not necessarily reflect
those of Maori Television. Maori Television does not
accept any responsibility whatsoever for any loss or
damage that may result from reliance on or the use of
the information contained in this e-mail or
accompanying attachments. This e-mail together with
any accompanying attachments may be confidential and
subject to privilege. If you have received this
message in error, please notify the sender immediately
by return e-mail or telephone and delete this message.
You may not copy, disclose or use the contents in any
way. Kia ora.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Date: 23 July 2018 6:08:44 PM
image007.png
That’s an ‘and’. Agree, this is a wonderful opportunity.
Kia ora ano
Maori TV has come back with this. Unlike before, I think this is a good opportunity,
but given your strong counsel this morning, just thought I would check with you in
case I am not seeing a fish hook here.
Jan
From:
Sent: Monday, 23 July 2018 4:09 PM
Cc:
Subject: FW: Interview request for Vice-Chancellor on hate speech .v. freedom of
speech
Jan I had a chat wtih and he has re-pitched his request. They are
quite happy not to involve Don Brash.
From:
To:
Cc: GRP_Kawe Korero <KaweKorero@maoritelevision.com>
Subject: RE: Interview request for Vice-Chancellor on hate speech .v. freedom
of speech
Kia ora
Thanks for the response. If Professor Thomas isn’t interested in a 2-header with
Don Brash how about a solo interview about the following:
1. Why has she committed Massey University to being a treaty-led university,

what does that mean?
2. Why has a white Australian academic made a personal commitment to
learning Te Reo Reo since arriving here in January of last year?
4. You’ve worked at universities in Queensland and Perth, to what extent are
they delivering to the indigenous people of Australia?
5. You felt the need to go public with your article about the difference between
hate speech and free speech, why?
Could we interview her tomorrow via Skype or later in the week when she’s in
Auckland here at the channel
<image006.png>

<image002.jpg>
From:
Sent: Rahina, 23 Hongongoi, 2018 12:28 p.m.
To:
Subject: Re: Interview request for Vice-Chancellor on hate speech .v. freedom of
speech
Kia ora
Thank you for the opportunity. Unfortunately Professor Thomas has

declined.
Kind regards

<image003.jpg>
From:
To:
Cc:
Subject: Interview request for Vice-Chancellor on hate speech .v. freedom of

speech
Kia ora

Don Brash

OR
Skyped Interview
Duration: 8 minutes

They join me now.
<image007.png>
<image005.jpg>


From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject:
Date: 24 July 2018 11:25:48 AM
Kia ora ra Jan - tino pai tera whakaaro, kei te marama hoki ki ahau.
Thanks for giving this your time and thought (a welcome suggestion) and will catch up in
due course,
Nga mihi nui,
From: Thomas, Jan

Sent: Tuesday, 24 July 2018 9:06:53 AM
To:
Subject: RE:
E mohio ana !!
He utu -tau kawa atu !! (hope Ive got that right – wondered about “ ka whakapiki koe i te utu a-
tau”). But just thinking on the run, so in haste.
Totally can see where your coming from. Happy to discuss

.J
From:
Sent: Tuesday, 24 July 2018 7:41 AM
Subject: Re:
Kia ora Jan - hoki mai ra ki Aotearoa. Appreciate the reply below.
Here are my thoughts on Kawe Korero:
1. I think the debate / discussion, if it went ahead ought to be on a bigger platform

with a larger audience - either Native Affairs (also Maori TV) or Marae ( is the
co-presenter for this). Kawe Korero may not get the audience a debate of this
nature deserves.
2. Also check with and - they'll be able to give you good advice.
3. Personally, I think it would good to go ahead with it, as far too often, Don Brash is
given too many opportunities to air his views publicly without the media offering a
different perspective.
Ma te wa,
From: Thomas, Jan

Sent: Sunday, 22 July 2018 7:35:00 PM
To:
Subject: Re:
Kia ora ra
Thanks for your comments on the hate speech piece. As you may have gathered it is step
one in the task of considering what can occur on campus and what cannot. It has
definitely garnered much interest - unfortunately the vast majority of what has come to
me is very negative, and unsurprisingly, quite hateful and very personal!! However there is
quite am online campaign re "dont choose Massey if you want to have free speech". So its
nice to have a differing opinion! Kawekorero have asked me to do a 8 minute debate with
Don Brash on hate speech versus freedom of speech. I am thinking about it but am
weighing up what the impact on Massey generally would be to do so. Do you have a view?
see you during the week.
Nga mihi nui
Jan.
From:
Sent: Sunday, 22 July 2018 3:07 PM
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject:
Tena koe kei te kaiwhakaihu o te waka e Jan,
E rere tonu ana te reo maioha ki a koe i te nui o te tautoko ki tenei kaupapa hou, ko Toro
Mai. Kati ko te tumanako, kei te nui te ora, kei te puawai nga mahi katoa.
I hope the visit to Singapore went well. Your recent article on Hate Speech and the
Academy has garnered immense support and has sent an incredibly strong message to the
nation and the world.
,
Kia tau tonu ra nga manaakitanga,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject:
Date: 24 July 2018 7:41:06 AM
Kia ora Jan - hoki mai ra ki Aotearoa. Appreciate the reply below.
Here are my thoughts on Kawe Korero:
1. I think the debate / discussion, if it went ahead ought to be on a bigger platform

with a larger audience - either Native Affairs (also Maori TV) or Marae ( is the
co-presenter for this). Kawe Korero may not get the audience a debate of this
nature deserves.
2. Also check with and - they'll be able to give you good advice.
3. Personally, I think it would good to go ahead with it, as far too often, Don Brash is
given too many opportunities to air his views publicly without the media offering a
different perspective.
Ma te wa,
From: Thomas, Jan

Sent: Sunday, 22 July 2018 7:35:00 PM
To:
Subject: Re:
Kia ora ra
just in Auckland returning home tonight after a long time o/s. Thanks for this, I will look at
it with interest. A couple of things:
Thanks for your comments on the hate speech piece. As you may have gathered it is step
one in the task of considering what can occur on campus and what cannot. It has
definitely garnered much interest - unfortunately the vast majority of what has come to
me is very negative, and unsurprisingly, quite hateful and very personal!! However there is
quite am online campaign re "dont choose Massey if you want to have free speech". So its
nice to have a differing opinion! Kawekorero have asked me to do a 8 minute debate with
Don Brash on hate speech versus freedom of speech. I am thinking about it but am
weighing up what the impact on Massey generally would be to do so. Do you have a view?
see you during the week.
Nga mihi nui
Jan.
From:
Sent: Sunday, 22 July 2018 3:07 PM
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject:
Tena koe kei te kaiwhakaihu o te waka e Jan,
E rere tonu ana te reo maioha ki a koe i te nui o te tautoko ki tenei kaupapa hou, ko Toro
Mai. Kati ko te tumanako, kei te nui te ora, kei te puawai nga mahi katoa.
I hope the visit to Singapore went well. Your recent article on Hate Speech and the
Academy has garnered immense support and has sent an incredibly strong message to the
nation and the world.
Kia tau tonu ra nga manaakitanga,

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: RE: article
Date: 25 July 2018 4:47:03 PM
Hi Jan
I actually read the reviews and comments before I read your article. I thought you were spot on,
and it unfortunately shows the level of intellectual debate people are engaging in, even media
commentators, which is to be quite frank depressing and demoralising but I am sure you were
fairly unaffected by it (rise above!). And to me it just reinforced the importance of our role as
supporting people to become critical thinkers and better citizens through education. Ka pai!
From: Thomas, Jan

Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2018 4:36 PM
To:
Subject: Re: article
Thanks
Appreciate the feedback. It’s certainly opened up a hornets nest in NZ, mostly very very negative
and personal. Interesting!!
Jan
Sent from my iPhone
On 25/07/2018, at 3:56 PM, :
Hi Jan
I am back from holiday and just catching up with my emails. Just read the op piece
on hate speech. I really liked it.
Please note: The content of this email and any attachment is confidential and should be read by
the intended recipient only. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender
immediately and delete the content from your system. You should not read, copy or distribute the
message. Thank you.
From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Date: 25 July 2018 4:35:45 PM
Thanks
Appreciate the feedback. It’s certainly opened up a hornets nest in NZ, mostly very very
negative and personal. Interesting!!
Jan
Sent from my iPhone
On 25/07/2018, at 3:56 PM,

wrote:
Hi Jan
I am back from holiday and just catching up with my emails. Just read the op piece
on hate speech. I really liked it.
Please note: The content of this email and any attachment is confidential and should be read by
the intended recipient only. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender
immediately and delete the content from your system. You should not read, copy or distribute the
message. Thank you.
From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Date: 25 July 2018 4:48:41 PM
Thanks, you should read some of the blogs! But yes, that’s what happens when one sticks
ones head above the parapets! All good though! Kia kaha!
Jan
Sent from my iPhone
On 25/07/2018, at 4:47 PM,

wrote:
Hi Jan
I actually read the reviews and comments before I read your article. I thought you
were spot on, and it unfortunately shows the level of intellectual debate people are
engaging in, even media commentators, which is to be quite frank depressing and
demoralising but I am sure you were fairly unaffected by it (rise above!). And to me
it just reinforced the importance of our role as supporting people to become critical
thinkers and better citizens through education. Ka pai!
From: Thomas, Jan

Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2018 4:36 PM
To:
Thanks
Appreciate the feedback. It’s certainly opened up a hornets nest in NZ, mostly very
very negative and personal. Interesting!!
Jan
Sent from my iPhone
On 25/07/2018, at 3:56 PM,

wrote:
Hi Jan
I am back from holiday and just catching up with my emails. Just read
the op piece on hate speech. I really liked it.
Please note: The content of this email and any attachment is confidential and
should be read by the intended recipient only. If you are not the intended
recipient, please notify the sender immediately and delete the content from your
system. You should not read, copy or distribute the message. Thank you.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: article
Date: 25 July 2018 3:56:39 PM
Hi Jan
I am back from holiday and just catching up with my emails. Just read the op piece on hate speech. I
really liked it.
Please note: The content of this email and any attachment is confidential and should be read by the intended recipient
only. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and delete the content from your
system. You should not read, copy or distribute the message. Thank you.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: column on free speech/hate speech
Date: 25 July 2018 9:39:36 AM
Morena Jan
calls you pompous in his column today, without naming you. It’s something
the Maori TV interviewer might ask you about tomorrow.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan;
Subject: Re: Update on the issue of Brash on campus
Date: 27 July 2018 11:19:01 AM
Thank-you Jan - this is a very good response. I agree - perhaps leave the comments on
protecting Maori Staff for now - it may also be something required down the track if need
be. We (Maori @ Massey) are all in support of this repositioning of Massey University's
stance on these matters, in this Te Tiriti-led environment.
Nga manaakitanga,
From: Thomas, Jan

Sent: Friday, 27 July 2018 10:51:34 AM
To:
Subject: FW: Update on the issue of Brash on campus
Tena korua
See below. This has been an issue I have been wrestling with for a couple of weeks. I wanted to
let you know which way I had gone and how we were trying to adjust the system to
accommodate the “no hate speech, nothing against the Tiriti values on campus going forward.
Note the comment re protecting Maori staff – I think we probably shouldn’t say anything in
advance ?? it may go unnoticed. ??
Jan
From: Thomas, Jan

Sent: Friday, 27 July 2018 10:48 AM
To:
Cc:
Subject: Update on the issue of Brash on campus
Ata marie
I am just updating you on the matter of Brash planned speaking event for the unofficial
“Politics Society”. You will recall that we had MUSA speak with the group and remind them
of their responsibilities. I have since had a follow up with MUSA and thanked them. We
were in the background urgently reviewing our agreement forms for use of venues and
watching for bookings from The Politics Society.
The Politics Society have now become an affiliated MUSA Club, and have been added to
the 2018 Clubs list by MUSA and are therefore expected to operate under the conditions
and rules MUSA publish in the Clubs Handbook for example to “an affiliated/registered
group, you agree to follow commonly accepted rules of behaviour. (Unacceptable
behaviour is defined as anything that could bring MUSA and/or Massey University into
disrepute.)”
The Politics Society have yesterday booked venues for three events and have been advised
these bookings are subject to them completing and returning the Massey University Terms
of Use for Venues and Spaces Agreement Form (which they are aware will be provide to
them today). The Terms of Use Agreement will be a requirement for any non-teaching
event booking space through the Operations Service Desk and requires the person booing
the venue to sign and agree a form articulating their agreement to adhere to Massey’s
University’s Emergency Management procedures; Health and Safety requirements; and
manage the venue use in accordance with the MU Strategy, including but not limited to,
recognising the values of a Tiriti o Waitangi-led organisation. This is spelled out of the
form, and organisers must also agree to advising any speakers of the obligations of this
use.
While the Politics Society are yet to sign the formalities we have no reasons to think they
won’t, and therefore Brash should also be aware. This may have some fall out, however I
think it will be less than if I outright banned them from usage. Also, everyone will need to
sign these agreements from now on. The Politics Society are aware of the requirements
regarding university protocols for when MPs are visiting campus.
So in sum, I won’t stop this time, however we will watch closely. If for example they do
not abide by the agreement we then have a right to not allow them to hold subsequent
events, which includes Simon Bridges on the 10th Aug, two days later. Whether we would
follow through or not, would be a decision for then.
I will also share privately with folks such as and so that they are
aware of what is happening behind the scenes and they may be able to work to protect /
advise / assist Maori staff and students.
I think this is not quite over yet, but I wanted to update you on where I am at with this
tricky situation.
Cheers
Jan
From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Subject: FW: Update on the issue of Brash on campus
Date: 27 July 2018 10:51:00 AM
Tēnā kōruā
Sēē bēlōw. This hās bēēn ān issuē I hāvē bēēn wrēstling with fōr ā cōuplē ōf wēēks. I wāntēd tō
lēt yōu knōw which wāy I hād gōnē ānd hōw wē wērē trying tō ādjust thē systēm tō
āccōmmōdātē thē “nō hātē spēēch, nōthing āgāinst thē Tiriti vāluēs ōn cāmpus gōing fōrwārd.
Nōtē thē cōmmēnt rē prōtēcting Māōri stāff – I think wē prōbābly shōuldn’t sāy ānything in
ādvāncē ?? it māy gō unnōticēd. ??
Jān
From: Thōmās, Jān

Sent: Fridāy, 27 July 2018 10:48 AM
To:
Cc:
Subject: Updātē ōn thē issuē ōf Brāsh ōn cāmpus
Atā māriē
I ām just updāting yōu ōn thē māttēr ōf Brāsh plānnēd spēāking ēvēnt fōr thē unōfficiāl
“Pōlitics Sōciēty”. Yōu will rēcāll thāt wē hād MUSA spēāk with thē grōup ānd rēmind thēm
ōf thēir rēspōnsibilitiēs. I hāvē sincē hād ā fōllōw up with MUSA ānd thānkēd thēm. Wē
wērē in thē bāckgrōund urgēntly rēviēwing ōur āgrēēmēnt fōrms fōr usē ōf vēnuēs ānd
wātching fōr bōōkings frōm Thē Pōlitics Sōciēty.
Thē Pōlitics Sōciēty hāvē nōw bēcōmē ān āffiliātēd MUSA Club, ānd hāvē bēēn āddēd tō
thē 2018 Clubs list by MUSA ānd ārē thērēfōrē ēxpēctēd tō ōpērātē undēr thē cōnditiōns
ānd rulēs MUSA publish in thē Clubs Hāndbōōk fōr ēxāmplē tō “ān āffiliātēd/rēgistērēd
grōup, yōu āgrēē tō fōllōw cōmmōnly āccēptēd rulēs ōf bēhāviōur. (Unāccēptāblē
bēhāviōur is dēfinēd ās ānything thāt cōuld bring MUSA ānd/ōr Māssēy Univērsity intō
disrēputē.)”
Thē Pōlitics Sōciēty hāvē yēstērdāy bōōkēd vēnuēs fōr thrēē ēvēnts ānd hāvē bēēn ādvisēd
thēsē bōōkings ārē subjēct tō thēm cōmplēting ānd rēturning thē Māssēy Univērsity Tērms
ōf Usē fōr Vēnuēs ānd Spācēs Agrēēmēnt Fōrm (which thēy ārē āwārē will bē prōvidē tō
thēm tōdāy). Thē Tērms ōf Usē Agrēēmēnt will bē ā rēquirēmēnt fōr āny nōn-tēāching
ēvēnt bōōking spācē thrōugh thē Opērātiōns Sērvicē Dēsk ānd rēquirēs thē pērsōn bōōing
thē vēnuē tō sign ānd āgrēē ā fōrm ārticulāting thēir āgrēēmēnt tō ādhērē tō Māssēy’s
Univērsity’s Emērgēncy Mānāgēmēnt prōcēdurēs; Hēālth ānd Sāfēty rēquirēmēnts; ānd
mānāgē thē vēnuē usē in āccōrdāncē with thē MU Strātēgy, including but nōt limitēd tō,
rēcōgnising thē vāluēs ōf ā Tiriti ō Wāitāngi-lēd ōrgānisātiōn. This is spēllēd ōut ōf thē
fōrm, ānd ōrgānisērs must ālsō āgrēē tō ādvising āny spēākērs ōf thē ōbligātiōns ōf this
usē.
Whilē thē Pōlitics Sōciēty ārē yēt tō sign thē fōrmālitiēs wē hāvē nō rēāsōns tō think thēy
wōn’t, ānd thērēfōrē Brāsh shōuld ālsō bē āwārē. This māy hāvē sōmē fāll ōut, hōwēvēr I
think it will bē lēss thān if I ōutright bānnēd thēm frōm usāgē. Alsō, ēvēryōnē will nēēd tō
sign thēsē āgrēēmēnts frōm nōw ōn. Thē Pōlitics Sōciēty ārē āwārē ōf thē rēquirēmēnts
rēgārding univērsity prōtōcōls fōr whēn MPs ārē visiting cāmpus.
Sō in sum, I wōn’t stōp this timē, hōwēvēr wē will wātch clōsēly. If fōr ēxāmplē thēy dō
nōt ābidē by thē āgrēēmēnt wē thēn hāvē ā right tō nōt āllōw thēm tō hōld subsēquēnt
ēvēnts, which includēs Simōn Bridgēs ōn thē 10th Aug, twō dāys lātēr. Whēthēr wē wōuld
fōllōw thrōugh ōr nōt, wōuld bē ā dēcisiōn fōr thēn.
I will ālsō shārē privātēly with fōlks such ās ānd sō thāt thēy ārē
āwārē ōf whāt is hāppēning bēhind thē scēnēs ānd thēy māy bē āblē tō wōrk tō prōtēct /
ādvisē / āssist Māōri stāff ānd studēnts.
I think this is nōt quitē ōvēr yēt, but I wāntēd tō updātē yōu ōn whērē I ām āt with this
tricky situātiōn.
Chēērs
Jān
From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Cc:
Subject: RE: Politics Club
Date: 27 July 2018 10:20:00 AM
That’s great. We will see what happens I guess

Jan
From:
Cc:
Hi Jan
Yes, it will have these words, and the organiser will need to sign the form. We will have on the form that the User
undertakes to ensure speakers/participants are aware of these requirements.
Please note: The content of this email and any attachment is confidential and should be read by the intended recipient only. If you
are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and delete the content from your system. You should not
read, copy or distribute the message. Thank you.

Date: Friday, July 27, 2018 at 9:48 AM
To: "
Cc:
Thanks
So, with the wording on the form does it have “….and manage the venue use in accordance with the MU
Strategy, including but not limited to, recognising the values of a Tiriti o Waitangi-lead organisation”?
Can we make sure users alert speakers to these responsibilities somehow?
I think if this is the case then we should let it flow and monitor and this should give us sufficient capability
to prevent future events if its anti-Maori on the 8th.
– would be good for me to sit in on Brash on the 8th, but not to let them know I am coming.
Jan
From:
8:31 AM
Cc:
Morena Jan
FYI and discussion if you would like to.

Nga mihi
From:
To:
Good morning
By way of update regarding this club:
They have now become an affiliated MUSA Club, have been added to the 2018 Clubs list by MUSA and are
therefore expected to operate under the conditions and rules MUSA publish in the Clubs Handbook for
example to “an affiliated/registered group, you agree to follow commonly accepted rules of behaviour.
(Unacceptable behaviour is defined as anything that could bring MUSA and/or Massey University into
disrepute.)”
They have yesterday booked venues for three events and have been advised these bookings are subject to
them completing and returning the Massey University Terms of Use for Venues and Spaces Agreement
Form (which they are aware will be provide to them today). The Terms of Use Agreement will be a
requirement for any non-teaching event booking space through the Operations Service Desk and requires
the person booing the venue to sign and agree a form articulating their agreement to adhere to Massey’s
University’s Emergency Management procedures; Health and Safety requirements; and manage the venue
use in accordance with the MU Strategy, including but not limited to, recognising the values of a Tiriti o
Waitangi-lead organisation.
The details for the request are:
8 August – Don Brash SSLB4 (11-12 am)

10 August – Simon Bridger’s SGP2.01 (3 -4pm)
15 August – Chris Bishop SSLB4 (11 – 12 am)
They have asked for a bigger venue to Simon Bridges visit and expect to have 50 – 75 attendees for that visit
and describe the content for each visit being for “ the guests to talk about their careers and time in politics”
They have been advised that prior to the visits on 10 and 15 August they need to contact The Manawatu
Campus Operations Manager, to ensure they meet and manage all of the requirements
for a visit to campus by a MP
Thanks
Massey University
Private Bag 11222
Palmerston North, 4442
New Zealand
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Date: 27 July 2018 8:31:22 AM
Morena Jan
Nga mihi
From:
To: "
Good morning
disrepute.)”

Thanks
From:
Thomas, Jan;
Date: 27 July 2018 9:50:20 AM
Hi Jan
FYI Meeting on 8th is during SLT meeting.
From: Thomas, Jan

Sent: 27 July 2018 9:48 AM
To:
Cc:
Thanks
Jan
From:
Cc:
Morena Jan
Nga mihi
From:
To: "
From:
Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Date: 27 July 2018 10:00:37 AM
Hi Jan
Yes, it will have these words, and the organiser will need to sign the form. We will have on the form that the User
undertakes to ensure speakers/participants are aware of these requirements.

To: "
Cc:
Thanks
Jan
From:
Cc:
Morena Jan
Nga mihi
From: "
To: "
Good morning
disrepute.)”

Thanks
Massey University
Private Bag 11222
New Zealand
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Concern Safety at Don Brash Talk at Massey Manawatu
Date: 6 August 2018 12:37:20 PM
Kia Ora Prof Jan Thomas.
I am writing this email to you wondering if you are aware that a MUSA Club by the name
of "The Politics Society" which has a series of National and right wing speakers set for this
week includes publicly anti Maori leader of Hobson's Pledge and financial backer of alt-
right wing speakers Molyneux and Southern.
The MUSA Club Politics Society has invited Don Brash to speak this Wednesday August
8th 11am-12 at SSLB4 at Massey Manawatu Campus.
The link to the event is as below.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1948341675223945/
I imagine like yourself you would have some concerns surrounding this event and if this
would be used as a platform for separatist and supremacist hate speech.
Recently a member of Hobson's Pledge by the name of Don Esslemont made national news
by walking out of a meeting at the Student Lounge during a Mihi, citing that Massey
University does not have an obligation to uphold the Treaty Of Waitangi. I am sure you
would be concerned about further press regarding this group of individuals at Massey
Manawatu Campus.
I look forward to hearing what your thoughts are on this matter and steps you will take to
ensure the safety of those attending. Remember in light of their type of "Free Speech" does
not come Free of Consequences.
Kind Regards/ Ma Te Wa,
(BSW Hons, Massey).

.
From:
To: ; Thomas, Jan;
Cc:
Subject: RE: Concern Safety at Don Brash Talk at Massey Manawatu
Attachments: Terms of Use Agreement Venue and Space Use (Non-Commercial).pdf
Here’s the form
Thanks
From:
Sent: Monday, 6 August 2018 2:44 PM
Cc:
Subject: Re: Concern Safety at Don Brash Talk at Massey Manawatu
Kia ora Jan, I feel a storm brewing. I would like to see the form if has a copy.
Suspect that could become the issue if Brash makes an issue of what it means or
his view of it, or the Brash opponents decide it’s not explicit enough to have any
effect on hate speakers. My instinct is that your proposed response is the right
one.
FYI in case you didn’t know was a student rep on council a few years ago.

Date: Monday, 6 August 2018 at 1:48 PM
To:
I would be pleased with your views on the attached response to
Tena koe
Thanks for your email.
I was aware of the MUSA club “The Politics Society” having an event planned as below. I am also
aware of the issues arising from Mr Esslemonts behaviour at the debate on Maori wards.
You will know as a result of the opinion piece that I have published in the NZ Herald that I totally
oppose hate speech on campus, but support free speech on campus.
The Politics Society is an affiliated MUSA Club, and are therefore expected to operate under the
conditions and rules MUSA publish in the Clubs Handbook for example to “an
affiliated/registered group, you agree to follow commonly accepted rules of behaviour.
(Unacceptable behaviour is defined as anything that could bring MUSA and/or Massey University
into disrepute.)” I understand that MUSA has discussed this with The Politics Society.
Any person or individual who books campus venues are advised that these bookings are subject
to them completing and returning the recently reviewed Massey University Terms of Use for
Venues and Spaces Agreement Form. The Terms of Use Agreement are now a requirement for
any non-teaching event booking space through the Operations Service Desk and requires the
person booing the venue to sign and agree a form articulating their agreement to adhere to
Massey’s University’s Emergency Management procedures; Health and Safety requirements; and
recognising the values of a Te Tiriti o Waitangi-led organisation. This is spelled out of the
form, and organisers must also agree to advising any speakers of the obligations of this use.
Therefore I would expect both The Politics Society and their invited guests to comform with this
agreement
I hope that helps allay your concerns, thanks again for your email
Nga mihi nui
Jan Thomas
From: On Behalf Of
Manawatu Campus.
(BSW Hons, Massey).

From:
To: Thomas, Jan;
Cc:
HI Jan
The references to the revised form are all correct (but I have highlighted a small typo just in case
you didn’t notice it).
has now posted this as an ‘Open Letter” to you on his Face Book page and I have copied the
link below for peoples information, I am available from 3pm if you’d like to talk to me about the
detail related to this link .
https://www.facebook.com
Thanks
From: Thomas, Jan

To:
Tena koe
agreement
Nga mihi nui
Jan Thomas
From: > On Behalf Of

Manawatu Campus.
(BSW Hons, Massey).

From:
To: Thomas, Jan;
Cc:
Jan
I think this is good.
Nga mihi,

To:
Cc:
Tena koe
agreement
Nga mihi nui
Jan Thomas
From: On Behalf Of
Manawatu Campus.
(BSW Hons, Massey).

From:
To: ; Thomas, Jan;
Cc:
Jan
My view is that given the noise around this already then it might be prudent to exercise
the right to cancel the booking.
Regards,
From:
To: "Thomas, Jan" <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>,
If you apply those terms of use, we have grounds to ban him.
Massey University may cancel this booking at any time prior to the
commencement of the Venue or Space Term if the Client cannot satisfy Massey
University that its use would not adversely affect its operations or the security or
reputation of the Massey University, its staff or any member or members of the
public.

To:
A further though.
We had taken the view that we would hope it went quietly under the radar and therefore not
warn / advise etc. I wonder if we need to review this.
Secondly, should we (or MUSA) provide some kind of added security. It could be “plain clothes”
security if necessary
Jan
From:
Cc:
Here’s the form
Thanks
From:
Cc:
one.

To:
Tena koe

agreement
Nga mihi nui
Jan Thomas
From: On Behalf Of
Manawatu Campus.
(BSW Hons, Massey).

From:
Thomas, Jan;
Cc:
Yes happy for it to go under my name, trying to make contact now
From: Thomas, Jan

To:
Cc:
Ok, happy with veiw
From:
To: ; Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Hi
Because you were dealing with the students and they raised their concerns with
you and it comes under your area, I thought it made more sense if it came from
you and doesn’t appear to be escalating it to the VC, which would make them
more likely to go to media. Once they have that then the VC’s response to
can go to him. Any subsequent public statement would be under her name or my
name,, but of course your letter might get quoted from. As long as you are happy
with that.
From:
To: Jan Thomas
<J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>,
Thanks
Happy with the content of the one to the Politics Club but wanted to clarify:
Do we want it to go our under my name as we had discussed it going under Jan’s signature; and
I thought we were going to reply to saying we were aware of the meeting, referencing the
terms of use etc. and advising we were monitoring the situation closely BUT not advise of the
decision to cancel until we had advised the students?
Thanks
From:
Cc:
Attached is proposed text of 1) letter to the Politics Club explaining why she
we have cancelled the booking.
2) VC response to
I can use these as the basis of a media statement, which I will work on now for
use if media approach us as opposed to me pushing it out (I don’t think we want to
go on the front foot. If Brash and his supporters of the politics club want to go to
the media that is up to them. We are not seeking publicity).

To:
Cc:
Tena koe
agreement
Nga mihi nui
Jan Thomas
From: On Behalf Of
Manawatu Campus.
(BSW Hons, Massey).

From:
To: ; Thomas, Jan;
Cc:
Thanks
Jan, I think in the terms of use we could also highlight the sixth and 11th ones.
They are not numbered and I cannot cut and paste them from the pdf, but those
are the ones that explicitly set out the basis upon which we might decide to decline
an application for a space and venue use agreement or subsequently cancel one
that has already been granted.
(fyi the form should say “Tiriti-led” not Tiriti-lead.
From:
To: Jan Thomas
Cc: Kavanagh-
Dee@massey.ac.nz>
Here’s the form
Thanks
From:
Cc:
one.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Yes they have signed and returned the forms.
Kind regards
Hi all
I will respond but just want to check the Politics club has signed the new form with
agree to comply and inform visiting speakers of same need to comply. are
you able to check?
J
From: On Behalf Of

I am writing this email to you wondering if you are aware that a MUSA Club
by the name of "The Politics Society" which has a series of National and right
wing speakers set for this week includes publicly anti Maori leader of
Hobson's Pledge and financial backer of alt-right wing speakers Molyneux and
Southern.
The MUSA Club Politics Society has invited Don Brash to speak this
Wednesday August 8th 11am-12 at SSLB4 at Massey Manawatu Campus.
I imagine like yourself you would have some concerns surrounding this event
and if this would be used as a platform for separatist and supremacist hate
speech.
Recently a member of Hobson's Pledge by the name of Don Esslemont made
national news by walking out of a meeting at the Student Lounge during a
Mihi, citing that Massey University does not have an obligation to uphold the
Treaty Of Waitangi. I am sure you would be concerned about further press
regarding this group of individuals at Massey Manawatu Campus.
I look forward to hearing what your thoughts are on this matter and steps you
will take to ensure the safety of those attending. Remember in light of their
type of "Free Speech" does not come Free of Consequences.
(BSW Hons, Massey).

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: Re: draft media release
Okay we will sort it in the morning and be in touch

To:
Cc:
Happy if we can link and happy for it to be put up on web. I don’t mind fronting media. I
think Brash will and we should try to get the jump
Sent from my iPhone
On 6/08/2018, at 7:02 PM, wrote:
We could but it would make it long. I wonder if we could put the form
online and then just link to it. Is that possible, Happy to put the
release on our website once we’ve talked to the students. It will mean
you get requests for interviews.

To:
Cc:
Should we include the points of the agreement that was signed up too?
I can’t help feeling we should put it out proactively once student group has
been told
Sent from my iPhone
On 6/08/2018, at 5:59 PM,

wrote:
Hi Jan, here is what I have drafted:
a
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
We could but it would make it long. I wonder if we could put the form online and
then just link to it. Is that possible, Happy to put the release on our website
once we’ve talked to the students. It will mean you get requests for interviews.

To:
I can’t help feeling we should put it out proactively once student group has been told
Sent from my iPhone
On 6/08/2018, at 5:59 PM, :

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
and I are meeting the club rep at 830am

To:
Cc:
I wish we had stopped it at the beginning.

- any updates re students?
Sent from my iPhone
On 6/08/2018, at 7:02 PM,

To:
been told
Sent from my iPhone
On 6/08/2018, at 5:59 PM,

wrote:

Withhold:
From: Thomas, Jan

To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: draft email to
Tēnā
Thānks for your ēmāil.
I ām āwārē of thē MUSA club “Thē Politics Sociēty” hāving ān ēvēnt plānnēd ās bēlow. I ām ālso
āwārē of thē issuēs ārising from Mr Esslēmont’s bēhāviour āt thē dēbātē on Māori wārds.
You will know ās ā rēsult of thē opinion piēcē thāt I hāvē publishēd in thē NZ Hērāld thāt I totālly
opposē hātē spēēch on cāmpus, but support frēē spēēch on cāmpus.
Thē Politics Sociēty is ān āffiliātēd MUSA Club, ānd ārē thērēforē ēxpēctēd to opērātē undēr thē
conditions ānd rulēs MUSA publish in thē Clubs Hāndbook for ēxāmplē to “ān
āffiliātēd/rēgistērēd group, you āgrēē to follow commonly āccēptēd rulēs of bēhāviour.
(Unāccēptāblē bēhāviour is dēfinēd ās ānything thāt could bring MUSA ānd/or Māssēy Univērsity
into disrēputē.)” I undērstānd thāt MUSA hās discussēd this with Thē Politics Sociēty.
Any pērson or individuāl who books cāmpus vēnuēs ārē ādvisēd thāt thēsē bookings ārē subjēct
to thēm complēting ānd rēturning thē rēcēntly rēviēwēd Māssēy Univērsity Tērms of Usē for
Vēnuēs ānd Spācēs Agrēēmēnt Form. Thē Tērms of Usē Agrēēmēnt ārē now ā rēquirēmēnt for
āny non-tēāching ēvēnt booking spācē through thē Opērātions Sērvicē Dēsk ānd rēquirēs thē
pērson booking thē vēnuē to sign ānd āgrēē ā form ārticulāting thēir āgrēēmēnt to ādhērē to
Māssēy’s Univērsity’s Emērgēncy Mānāgēmēnt procēdurēs; Hēālth ānd Sāfēty rēquirēmēnts;
ānd manage the venue use in accordance with the MU Strategy, including but not limited to,
recognising the values of a Te Tiriti o Waitangi-led organisation. This is spēllēd out of thē
form, ānd orgānisērs must ālso āgrēē to ādvising āny spēākērs of thē obligātions of this usē.
Othēr tērms of usē includē Māssēy bēing sātisfiēd thāt thē usē of thē vēnuē would not ādvērsēly
ēffēct opērātions or sēcurity or thē rēputātion of Māssēy, its stāff ānd mēmbērs of thē public,
including studēnts.
Thē sociēty mēmbērs hāvē subsēquēntly ādvisēd ā mēmbēr of stāff thāt thēy ārē concērnēd
ābout thēir ābility to mēēt thē tērms of thē āgrēēmēnt in rēgārds sēcurity.
In light of thāt, ānd in light of thē māttērs you ānd othērs hāvē rāsiēd, including commēnt on
sociāl mēdiā suggēsting protēst ānd possiblē violēncē, Māssēy hās concludēd thāt thē corrēct
āction is to ēxērcisē its right ānd rēsponsibility to cāncēl thē booking.
I hopē thāt hēlps āllāy your concērns, thānks āgāin for your ēmāil
Ngā mihi nui
Jān Thomās
From:
To:
Cc: Thomas, Jan;
Subject: RE: FW: Concern regards Don Brash talk at Massey Manawatu
HI
We weren’t aware that had reached wider than Jan Thomas with this email so thank you for
bringing it to my attention, we are working with Jan now on a response to and actively
engaging with the student club, who had already approached us with concerns around security.
Jan this email has been forwarded from the old Campus Registrar email address I believe.
please don’t reply directly but I appreciate your offer to do so.
Thanks
From:
To:
Subject: FW: FW: Concern regards Don Brash talk at Massey Manawatu
Hi
Regarding the email from below which I forwarded to she has suggested I
contact you initially since there has already been some conversation in this regard.
Please can you advise me
Regards
From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Cc:
Happy if we can link and happy for it to be put up on web. I don’t mind fronting media. I
think Brash will and we should try to get the jump
Sent from my iPhone
On 6/08/2018, at 7:02 PM, > wrote:

To:
Cc:
been told
Sent from my iPhone
On 6/08/2018, at 5:59 PM,

wrote:

From:
To:
Subject: FW: FW: Concern regards Don Brash talk at Massey Manawatu
Good afternoon
Jan called me about the email below. I know quite well from his days as a student.
I am happy to respond to him if you wish me to do so – or to draft you a response.
My take on it is a protection of free speech (possibly controversial view) as long as it does not
contain threats or overtly encourage violence. It would be up to the club – or other student
organisations – to invite opposing speakers at some other date. I would support debate rather
than prohibiting speakers (most times!).
He asks about what we would do to ensure “the safety of those attending” (and I hope he is not
hinting at the opponents attempting to break up this planned meeting).
Please do let me know how I should respond
Regards
From: On Behalf Of
To:
Cc:
Subject: Re: FW: Concern regards Don Brash talk at Massey Manawatu
Thank you and
I look forward to your reply on this matter
Nga Mihi,
On Mon, Aug 6, 2018 at 2:33 PM wrote:

Kia ora
Thank you for raising your concerns. I have forwarded this on to

.
Noho ora mai
---------- Forwarded message ---------

From:
Date: Mon, Aug 6, 2018 at 12:49 PM
Subject: Concern regards Don Brash talk at Massey Manawatu
To: >
Kia Ora
.
I am writing this email to you wondering if you are aware that a MUSA Club by the
name of "The Politics Society" which has a series of National and right wing speakers
set for this week includes publicly anti Maori leader of Hobson's Pledge and financial
backer of alt-right wing speakers Molyneux and Southern.
The MUSA Club Politics Society has invited Don Brash to speak this Wednesday
August 8th 11am-12 at SSLB4 at Massey Manawatu Campus. The link to the event is as
below.
Recently a member of Hobson's Pledge by the name of Don Esslemont made national
news by walking out of a meeting at the Student Lounge during a Mihi, citing that
Massey University does not have an obligation to uphold the Treaty Of Waitangi. I am
sure you would be concerned about further press regarding this group of individuals at
Massey Manawatu Campus.
I look forward to hearing what your thoughts are on this matter and steps you will take
to ensure the safety of those attending. Remember in light of their type of "Free Speech"
does not come Free of Consequences.

(BSW Hons, Massey).
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Fwd: Concern for Safety at Don Brash Talk Massey Manawatu
Kia ora, so MUSA get to invite Don Brash and we are responsible for making people safe?
Has anybody had a word with the club to understand what security they might have?
I’m not emailing this guy below I will call him. But what can I say, are we having security
on the door? Can we protect people who go and listen to this? Aren’t they better to stay
away?
Na
Sent from my iPhone
From:
To:
Subject: Concern for Safety at Don Brash Talk Massey Manawatu
Kia Ora
I am writing this email to you wondering if you are aware that a MUSA Club
by the name of "The Politics Society" which has a series of National and right
wing speakers set for this week includes publicly anti Maori leader of
Hobson's Pledge and financial backer of alt-right wing speakers Molyneux and
Southern.
The MUSA Club Politics Society has invited Don Brash to speak this
Wednesday August 8th 11am-12 at SSLB4 at Massey Manawatu Campus.
I imagine like yourself you would have some concerns surrounding this event
and if this would be used as a platform for separatist and supremacist hate
speech.
Recently a member of Hobson's Pledge by the name of Don Esslemont made
national news by walking out of a meeting at the Student Lounge during a
Mihi, citing that Massey University does not have an obligation to uphold the
Treaty Of Waitangi. I am sure you would be concerned about further press
regarding this group of individuals at Massey Manawatu Campus.
I look forward to hearing what your thoughts are on this matter and steps you
will take to ensure the safety of those attending. Remember in light of their
type of "Free Speech" does not come Free of Consequences.

(BSW Hons, Massey).
From:
To: ; Thomas, Jan;

Hi
Because you were dealing with the students and they raised their concerns with
you and it comes under your area, I thought it made more sense if it came from
you and doesn’t appear to be escalating it to the VC, which would make them
more likely to go to media. Once they have that then the VC’s response to
can go to him. Any subsequent public statement would be under her name or my
name,, but of course your letter might get quoted from. As long as you are happy
with that.
From:
To: Jan Thomas
Cc:
Thanks
Thanks
From:
Cc:
2) VC response to

To:
Cc:
Tena koe
agreement
Nga mihi nui
Jan Thomas
From: On Behalf Of
Manawatu Campus.
(BSW Hons, Massey).

From:
Thomas, Jan;

Thanks
Thanks
From:
Cc:
2) VC response to

To:
Cc:

Tena koe
aware of the issues arising from behaviour at the debate on Maori wards.
agreement
Nga mihi nui
Jan Thomas
From: On Behalf Of
Manawatu Campus.
(BSW Hons, Massey).

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: draft media release
a
From: Thomas, Jan
To:

I wish we had stopped it at the beginning.

- any updates re students?
Sent from my iPhone
On 6/08/2018, at 7:02 PM, > wrote:

To:
been told
Sent from my iPhone
On 6/08/2018, at 5:59 PM, >

wrote:

Brash talk to student club cancelled due to security concerns - Massey University Page 1 of 5
Massey University Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas
Massey University has cancelled a booking made by a students’ politics club at which former politician and
Hobson’s Pledge founder Dr Don Brash was invited to speak at the University’s Manawatū campus on Wednesday.
Club members had signed a venue and space use agreement form in which they agreed to manage the venue in accordance
with the University’s Strategy, including recognising the values of a Te Tiriti o Waitangi-led organisation and ensuring its use
would not adversely affect University operations, security, reputation or public safety.
The members later approached University management concerned about their ability to meet the agreement’s terms around
security after becoming aware of social media posts suggesting the event could lead to violence.
The University considered providing additional security for the event, but decided the risk of harm to students, staff and
members of the public was too great, particularly at time of heightened tension over the issues around free speech and hate
speech. Dr Brash was also a supporter of right-wing Canadian speakers Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux, who were
due to address a public meeting in Auckland.
He had been invited by the students in his capacity as a former National Party leader to discuss the party as part of a series
http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/news/article.cfm?mnarticle_uuid=B3E11F9F-2C2C-4... 14/09/2018
Brash talk to student club cancelled due to security concerns - Massey University Page 2 of 5
of talks involving current leader Simon Bridges and an MP considered a potential future leader, Chris Bishop.
Professor Thomas says she supports free speech on campus, but totally opposes hate speech. “Mr Brash’s leadership of
Hobson’s Pledge and views he and its supporters espoused in relation to Māori wards on councils was clearly of concern to
many staff, particularly Māori staff. Whether those views would have been repeated to students in the context of a discussion
about the National Party may seem unlikely, but I have no way of knowing. In my opinion the views expressed by members
of Hobson’s Pledge come dangerously close to hate speech. They are certainly not conducive with the University’ strategy of
recognising the values of a Tiriti o Waitangi-led organisation.”
“It is clear there is heightened sensitivity and passion at this time, following the protests both against and in support of Ms
Southern and Mr Molyneux’s right to be heard. Our ultimate responsibility is for the safety and wellbeing of students, staff
and members of the public on our campuses and under those circumstances cancelling the booking is the right thing to do.
The members of the Politics Club have acted responsibly in raising their concerns with the University and are free to meet Dr
Brash at another venue if they wish.”
Created: 07/08/2018 | Last updated: 07/08/2018
http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/news/article.cfm?mnarticle_uuid=B3E11F9F-2C2C-4... 14/09/2018
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re: Update on an emerging issue - Massey University
Date: 7 August 2018 11:01:18 AM
Hi Jan,
I guess this is all part of a greater plan to “test” Universities in NZ with regard to free speech
issues such as is going on in the US now.
Does Universities NZ have a definitive position yet ? I had never heard of Hobson’s Pledge
before, and now wish I never had.
Regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: FW: Newshub request for comment re. Don Brash
Just saw this. ACT are pushing it out.
From: >
To: >
Subject: Newshub request for comment re. Don Brash
Hi
from Newshub here. I was after comment from Massey on David Seymour's
claim that "left-wing thugs" are trying to stop Don Brash from speaking at a campus event this
week, and that the Vice-Chancellor may prevent him from appearing, which he has called
"outrageous".
If you could get back to me sometime on Tuesday morning, I'll be publishing the article early in
the afternoon.
Thanks, much appreciated!
--
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: FW: Newshub
Jan you might want to clear your schedule. The release will be on the website in a
few minutes. Once it’s there shall I go back to and give her direct
dial?
From:
Date: Tuesday, 7 August 2018 at 9:53 AM
To:
Subject: Newshub
Hi ,
I'm a reporter with Newshub. We are doing a story on the MUSA club's decision not to allow Don
Brash to speak at an event tomorrow.
It would be great if we could interview with vice-chancellor today in regards to the club's
decision?
This would be for tv and radio.
Kind regards,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: Fwd: The Project TV3
Date: 7 August 2018 10:30:52 AM
From:
Date: 7 August 2018 at 10:20:32 AM NZST
To:
Subject: The Project TV3
Hey -
As discussed on the phone, would be great to get the Vice Chancellor on the
show this evening to talk about the decision to not allow Don Brash to speak
on campus.
Would ideally be some time between 5-6pm, and happy to organise a

camera/feed point in Palmerston North.
Let me know if at all possible - thanks!
--
Attention:
Thank you.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: INterview request
Date: 7 August 2018 10:56:26 AM
image002.png
Good morning Jan,
We have had both Don Brash and David Seymour on the show this morning making some pretty
strong remarks against you following the cancellation of Mr Brash’s planned talk.
We would like to offer you the right of reply on the show after 11am. We are on air till midday. If
you or your EA can get in contact ASAP that would be great.
Kind regards,
______________________________________________________________________
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From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Media
Date: 7 August 2018 11:15:55 PM
Hi Jan
Good of you to run interference for me in the media!
the reporter slipped in
a question on the Brash thing.
… and then tailed

off into the usual comments that because I don’t know the details therefore can’t comment
further….. Hope that remains on script!
Cheers
From: Thomas, Jan
To: ;
Subject: Update on an emerging issue - Massey University

Date: 7 August 2018 10:47:00 AM
Importance: High
Kia ora e hoa ma
I am alerting you to events unfolding that will be in the media.
A student society had scheduled Don Brash to speak as a former Nationals leader (part of a
theme of past, present and future). The society booked a venue at the Manawatu campus and
signed the forms required which includes that they uphold our strategy and values inc being te
tiriti led. By doing so they also commit to advising speakers of this requirement.
In the last day there has been a surge of interest in this, fuelled by the Canadian speakers in
Auckland. We have been monitoring closely and began to observe threatening language on
social media channels. The student association approached us to say they can no longer uphold
the conditions of booking the venue, especially the security dimensions.
Considering the nature of the social media, and the inability to comply with our conditions of
use, i have decided to cancel the event. The is particularly on the basis of the safety of staff,
students and community members who may be on campus at this time.
It is being pushed by Brash and by David Seymour publically as a censuring of free speech. I have
been approached by several high profile media outlets to discuss this.
This note is to give you an heads up on these matters
http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/news/article.cfm?mnarticle_uuid=B3E11F9F-
2C2C-4E9B-A0AD-352E72A76BB6
please give me a call if you have any concerns
Nga mihi nui
Jan
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Fwd: Phone message:
image002.png
Kia Ora Jan. A testing time in academia .....
A heads up and in any event I’ll decline to give advice in any form.
Me rira,
From:
To:
Subject: Phone message:
e vice chancellor Don Brash he needs advice e ore he akes a co ent

to edia.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: FW: The AM Show interview confirmation - Jan Thomas - Wed 8/7
It looks like we will need to go ahead with these tomorrow, having made the
commitment. Sorry, Or I could say no to both and you have done enough
interviews including with both their organisations.
om:
To:
Subject: The AM Show interview confirmation - Jan Thomas - Wed 8/7
Hi
Thanks for organizing tomorrow's interview - to confirm here's all the studio details;
Who: Prof. Jan Thomas - Vice-Chancellor Massey University - please provide a contact
number for the morning
What: Live interview with Duncan Garner about cancelling of Don Brash speech
When: Please arrive no later than 0640 am. On air from 0710 am
Where: Please report to Mediaworks, 252 Broadway, Palmerston North
Social Media: Feel free to send through your twitter/instagram handle if you have one. We
would love to promote your appearance via our social media outlets!
Appearance: Please arrive camera ready! Please ensure you avoid stripes and busy patterns.
Please remove anything jingly including bracelets.
Online: Unfortunately due to the high volume of content we produce, we can’t

guarantee your interview will be posted on our digital assets.
Do let me know if you have any other questions.
Regards,
--
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: FW: IV request - Jan Thomas for RadioLIVE
Hmm, I guess they could call him if they wanted to. Should I warn that
may happen?
From:
To:
Subject: Re: IV request - Jan Thomas for RadioLIVE
Hi
Thanks for sorting the VC for the Drive show.
Does the Chancellor of the University speak at all on such decisions?
Would be good to hear from him as well if possible.
Kind regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re: ACT Press Release re D Brash talk
Date: 7 August 2018 10:09:27 AM
It’s out.
http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/news/article.cfm?
mnarticle_uuid=B3E11F9F-2C2C-4E9B-A0AD-352E72A76BB6

To:
Cc:
Subject: RE: ACT Press Release re D Brash talk
Lets get our statement out asap. Don’t wait for the link for the agreement
From:
Sent: Tuesday, 7 August 2018 9:18 AM
Subject: FW: ACT Press Release re D Brash talk
Copied FYI – the expected has started
From:
Sent: Tuesday, 7 August 2018 9:17 AM
To:
Subject: ACT Press Release re D Brash talk
FYI
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1808/S00060/thugs-threaten-violence-at-brash-event.htm
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: redrafted Brash statement
Attachments: brash-ban.docx
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: URGENT interview request from TVNZ
Importance: High
Dear Prof Thomas

We’d very much like to have you on tomorrow’s Breakfast show to talk about the decision to
withdrawal the speaking invitation to Don Brash on the basis of safety concerns.
If you could get back to me as soon as possible this afternoon, I’d very much appreciate it.
Kind regards
==========================================================
For more information on the Television New Zealand Group, visit us
online at tvnz.co.nz
==========================================================
CAUTION: This e-mail and any attachment(s) contain information that
is intended to be read only by the named recipient(s). This information
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From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Subject: Re: Don Brash - talking at Auckland University on Thursday evening
Thanks
Sent from my iPhone
On 7/08/2018, at 2:00 PM, wrote:
Hi
I have just noticed that the attached media piece references the fact Don is
scheduled to join a debate at Auckland Uni – want to make you aware in case
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/don-brash-slams-massey-uni-vice-
chancellors-disgraceful-contradiction-after-talk-cancelled
Massey University
Private Bag 11222
New Zealand
From:
To: ; Thomas, Jan
Cc:

Kia ora Jan
Thanks for the earlier heads up. I did see it come across a news bulletin in the office earlier today. This evening has added a bit more
colour with Don Brash’s stance.
Agree with the comments already shared by fellow board members.
Naku nei
Sent from my iPhone
> On 7/08/2018, at 17:35,

>
> Seems like this is one of those situations where you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t. I think you have made the right
call on three counts
> 1. Safety first (if someone gets physically hurt in an incident the university would be pilloried for not having taken due care)
> 2. Values led - free speech but not hate speech
> 3. Honoring the treaty is part of our values and the way NZ is trying to redefine itself as a diverse, modern, liberal democracy. This
Hobson Pledge thing seems to be a defensive retrograde step towards crushing diversity.
>
> Well done Jan.
> Cheers
>
>
.
>
>
> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
> This email is confidential and may also be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient please notify the sender immediately. You
must not copy or use it for any purpose or disclose its contents to any other person. The sender accepts no responsibility for viruses
received with or changes made to this email after it was sent. Any opinion expressed in this email may be personal to the sender.
>
>
>
>
> On 7/08/2018, at 10:47 AM, Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz<mailto:J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>> wrote:
>
> Kia ora e hoa ma
>
> I am alerting you to events unfolding that will be in the media.
>
> A student society had scheduled Don Brash to speak as a former Nationals leader (part of a theme of past, present and future). The
society booked a venue at the Manawatu campus and signed the forms required which includes that they uphold our strategy and values
inc being te tiriti led. By doing so they also commit to advising speakers of this requirement.
>
> In the last day there has been a surge of interest in this, fuelled by the Canadian speakers in Auckland. We have been monitoring
closely and began to observe threatening language on social media channels. The student association approached us to say they can no
longer uphold the conditions of booking the venue, especially the security dimensions.
>
> Considering the nature of the social media, and the inability to comply with our conditions of use, i have decided to cancel the event.
The is particularly on the basis of the safety of staff, students and community members who may be on campus at this time.
>
> It is being pushed by Brash and by David Seymour publically as a censuring of free speech. I have been approached by several high
profile media outlets to discuss this.
>
> This note is to give you an heads up on these matters
>
> http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/news/article.cfm?mnarticle_uuid=B3E11F9F-2C2C-4E9B-A0AD-352E72A76BB6
>
> please give me a call if you have any concerns
>
> Nga mihi nui
>
> Jan
> This email is confidential and may also be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient please notify the sender immediately. You
must not copy or use it for any purpose or disclose its contents to any other person. The sender accepts no responsibility for viruses
received with or changes made to this email after it was sent. Any opinion expressed in this email may be personal to the sender
> This e-mail message has been scanned for Viruses and Content
>
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:

Hi
I heard on the news but there was no reference that it was student led and that the students
initiated the cancellation
Perhaps the press should be apprised of this
Kind regards
Sent from my iPhone
Kia ora e hoa ma
A student society had scheduled Don Brash to speak as a former Nationals leader
(part of a theme of past, present and future). The society booked a venue at the
Manawatu campus and signed the forms required which includes that they uphold
our strategy and values inc being te tiriti led. By doing so they also commit to
advising speakers of this requirement.
In the last day there has been a surge of interest in this, fuelled by the Canadian
speakers in Auckland. We have been monitoring closely and began to observe
threatening language on social media channels. The student association
approached us to say they can no longer uphold the conditions of booking the
venue, especially the security dimensions.
Considering the nature of the social media, and the inability to comply with our
conditions of use, i have decided to cancel the event. The is particularly on the
basis of the safety of staff, students and community members who may be on
campus at this time.
It is being pushed by Brash and by David Seymour publically as a censuring of free

speech. I have been approached by several high profile media outlets to discuss
this.
http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/news/article.cfm?
mnarticle_uuid=B3E11F9F-2C2C-4E9B-A0AD-352E72A76BB6
Nga mihi nui
Jan
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re: The Project TV3
Hi again -
Just confirming the Vice Chancellor for an interview this evening with The Project.
Address for the feed-point in Palmerston North is Level 3, The Hub, Cnr The Square &
Rangitikei St.
The camera operator will be and he will be there ready to go

at 5pm.
Any issues this afternoon, give the segment producer .
Thanks again,
On 7 August 2018 at 10:08, wrote:

Hi there -
--
--
Thank you.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Date: 7 August 2018 10:52:15 AM
Thank you very much Jan for your timely reply.
I would not normally be forced to take a course of as complain about speakers and free
speech on campus, however in light of Brash funding Molenuex and Southern, with
Hibsons Pledge walking out of a Mihi last year and what ramifications that
had on local iwi I thought it best to let you know.
Kind Regards and Nga Mihi,
(BSW, Hons).
On Tue, 7 Aug 2018 9:22 am Thomas, Jan, <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
Tena koe
I am aware of the MUSA club “The Politics Society” having an event planned as below. I am
also aware of the issues arising from Mr Esslemont’s behaviour at the debate on Maori wards.
You will know as a result of the opinion piece that I have published in the NZ Herald that I
totally oppose hate speech on campus, but support free speech on campus.
The Politics Society is an affiliated MUSA Club, and are therefore expected to operate under
the conditions and rules MUSA publish in the Clubs Handbook for example to “an
(Unacceptable behaviour is defined as anything that could bring MUSA and/or Massey
University into disrepute.)” I understand that MUSA has discussed this with The Politics
Society.
Any person or individual who books campus venues are advised that these bookings are
subject to them completing and returning the recently reviewed Massey University Terms of
Use for Venues and Spaces Agreement Form. The Terms of Use Agreement are now a
requirement for any non-teaching event booking space through the Operations Service Desk
and requires the person booking the venue to sign and agree a form articulating their
agreement to adhere to Massey’s University’s Emergency Management procedures; Health
and Safety requirements; and manage the venue use in accordance with the MU Strategy,
including but not limited to, recognising the values of a Te Tiriti o Waitangi-led
organisation. This is spelled out of the form, and organisers must also agree to advising any
speakers of the obligations of this use.
Other terms of use include Massey being satisfied that the use of the venue would not
adversely effect operations or security or the reputation of Massey, its staff and members of
the public, including students.
The society members have subsequently advised a member of staff that they are concerned
about their ability to meet the terms of the agreement in regards security.
In light of that, and in light of comments on social media suggesting protest and possible
violence, I has concluded that the correct action is to exercise Massey’s right and responsibility
to cancel the booking. The Politics Society has been advised and are working cooperatively
with the University to this end.
Nga mihi nui
Jan Thomas
From: On Behalf Of
I am writing this email to you wondering if you are aware that a MUSA Club by the
name of "The Politics Society" which has a series of National and right wing speakers
set for this week includes publicly anti Maori leader of Hobson's Pledge and financial
backer of alt-right wing speakers Molyneux and Southern.
The MUSA Club Politics Society has invited Don Brash to speak this Wednesday
August 8th 11am-12 at SSLB4 at Massey Manawatu Campus.
Recently a member of Hobson's Pledge by the name of Don Esslemont made national
news by walking out of a meeting at the Student Lounge during a Mihi, citing that
Massey University does not have an obligation to uphold the Treaty Of Waitangi. I am
sure you would be concerned about further press regarding this group of individuals at
Massey Manawatu Campus.
ensure the safety of those attending. Remember in light of their type of "Free Speech"
does not come Free of Consequences.
(BSW Hons, Massey).

From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc: #DL-AMShow-Producers
Subject: The AM Show request - Jan Thomas - 08/08
Date: 7 August 2018 10:32:18 AM
Good morning Jan,
Would you be available to appear on The AM Show for an interview with Duncan
Garner, to discuss the decision to ban Don Brash from speaking at a Massey
University event?
This would be between 0625 - 0745 tomorrow morning, we'll be able to narrow
down that time later this afternoon.
Best,
Attention:
Thank you.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
The Project information
Hi Jan, the acting head librarian just rang to say a reporter from The Project rang
them today and spoke to one of the staff to see if we had any controversial books
such as Mein Kampf or Lolita and the staff member confirmed we had both. So
that will no doubt come up when you are interviewed.
You could respond that we no doubt have books by Don Brash and a range of
other politicians of all hues.
I have also cancelled both breakfast interviews, telling them you have done a full
day of interviews including with both their news organisations. In TV3’s case doing
the AM show would have been their third bite of the cherry.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: The Project TV3
Date: 7 August 2018 10:10:27 AM
Hi there -
--
Attention:
Thank you.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: some talking points
Date: 7 August 2018 11:17:36 AM
There is a very fine line between free speech and hate speech. Hobson’s Pledge
stand dangerously close to the hate speech side of that line, in my view, and in the
view of many others have crossed it.
We did not take this decision lightly. The original request pre-dated the
controversy over the Canadian speakers in Auckland, who Dr Brash backed.
We’ve all seen how ugly that issue threatened to become. We are very mindful of
the heightened passions around this issue.
Once the students themselves said they were concerned about their ability to
meet the terms and conditions of the venue hire in terms of security we reviewed it
ourselves and decided our ultimate obligation is the welfare of everyone on
campus.
Had the original request been for Don Brash to speak on campus about Hobson’s
Pledge and its views, it would likely have been turned down. We’ve had
experience of Hobson’s Pledge on campus and do not wish to repeat that.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: thinking of you.
Hi Jan, just to my thoughts are with you having to deal with silly old Brash. Well done for standing up against
these people who seek to divide and denigrate good citizens on spurious and racist grounds.
From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Subject: Re: thinking of you.
Thanks really appreciate your message
Sent from my iPhone
> On 7/08/2018, at 8:20 PM, wrote:

>
> Hi Jan, just to my thoughts are with you having to deal with silly old Brash. Well done for standing up against
these people who seek to divide and denigrate good citizens on spurious and racist grounds.
>
>
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: Re: a hasty draft of e log
Attachments: elog-brash.docx
Jan
This is my version, tweaked again to incorporate suggestions. was

going to talk to you about next steps.

To:
Ma
Thanks
With appropriate te reo top and tail mi would be happy for that to go out
Jan
Sent from my iPhone
On 8/08/2018, at 2:48 PM, wrote:
Jan, here is the updated version for consideration.

To:
Cc:
under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 Massey

University obligation to ensure, as far as reasonably
practicable, the health and safety of our workers, and
anyone else who may be affected by our operations. At its
most basic level, we are responsible for ensuring that
nothing we do, or fail to do, causes an unreasonable risk of
harm to our community.
<elog-brash.docx>
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: FW: Don Brash coverage
image003.png
From:
To:
Cc:
Subject: Don Brash coverage
Hi
I’ve attached a report of the coverage so far. Please let us know if you require assistance from us today.
Kind regards
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Date: 8 August 2018 12:25:36 PM
Jan
I’m a little bit speechless. Not sure what to say to I do think it reinforces the
need to communicate with staff in a massey-all about this and show them a copy
of the gun threat and I have asked our health, safety and wellbeing director to
come up with some words about our legal responsibilities, which he has, and
these could be included.
From:
To:
Cc:
Yes, to a staff discussion on freedom of speech. The staff member is Associate professor
From:
To:
Dear am I reading this right. The organiser, who I presume is a staff

member, is proposing to invite Don Brash to our Auckland campus?
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: FW: Free Speech questions
Jan, the Dominion Post want to do a follow-up where they get you, Brash and
some others to write 350 words in response to the four questions posed below. I
wonder if we need to do some damage control and clarify the situation ( tells
me there are at latest count 39 alumni who have asked to be removed from the
database over this issue and others who have said they will not be donating in
future) or whether we go we have said all we wish to say on this matter. They will
probably go ahead with it anyway, with or without us. Maybe might help
out?
From:
To:
Subject: Re: Free Speech questions
Hi just wanted to clarify that Jan doesn't need to state and then answer the
individual questions in the piece. We will highlight the questions in the intro so you can use
them as starting or discussion points. Cheers.
Sure we've also approached Greens MP former academic

human rights lawyer someone from the Human Rights Commission,
and an outspoken advocate in Wellington for free speech. Hope that helps.
please remind me who else you are inviting to contribute. I know Don
Brash was one.
From:
To:
Subject: Free Speech questions
Hi thanks for agreeing to have a look at this. So we are looking at 350-400 words,
back with us by end of the day tomorrow (Thursday). I appreciate that Jan could probably
write a great deal more than that but we need to make room for other voices on the
subject. The questions are:
- Is free speech the right to say anything you like?
- Is there any point at which something is too offensive to be said in
public?
- Is there such a thing as "hate speech" and how should it be defined?
- Is free speech under threat in this country? If so, where is the threat
coming from?
Thanks again
--
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contents of this message or attached files.
On Tue, 7 Aug 2018 at 12:44, wrote:
she can do that. Could you call her EA just

beforehand and she will put you through.

From:
To:
Cc:
Subject: Re: IV request - Jan Thomas for RadioLIVE
Thanks
Hi
Keen to get the VC on the Drive show today regarding Don Brash event being cancelled. Any
chance of making this happen at 3.10pm please.This would be a live phone interview - we
would need about five minutes then. Ryan Bridge is the host.
Kind regards
On Tue, 7 Aug 2018 at 12:04, > wrote:

Hey
can help you out with this - CCd above or on .
Cheers,
From:
To:
Subject: Who di I contact?
Hi there
Who do I contact about getting the Vice Chancellor to speak regarding Don Brash issue?
Keen to get her on the show today!
Thanks
Attention:
The information contained in this message and/or attachments is intended only for the person or entity to which it is
addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use
of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is
prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender, and delete the material from any system and destroy any
copies.
Thank you.
Attention:
The information contained in this message and/or attachments is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed
and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of
any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received
this in error, please contact the sender, and delete the material from any system and destroy any copies.
Thank you.
Attention:
Thank you.
From:
To:
Cc: Thomas, Jan
Date: 8 August 2018 12:11:15 PM
Hi
Regards

To:
Hi
Brash speaking.
Thanks
From:
It is disgusting.
Withhold: i
From:
To:
Cc: Thomas, Jan
Subject: RE: Withdrawal from Massey support
Date: 8 August 2018 10:31:34 AM
Hi
Thank you for your note and for your support of Massey and the Foundation over the years, it is
much appreciated.
I will remove your details from our database.
If at anytime in the future you wish to re-engage with Massey I would delighted to add you to
our database once more.
Yours sincerely
From:
To: >
Cc: Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>
Subject: Withdrawal from Massey support
Dear
Please remove my name from the Foundation's contact list and from the alumni contact
list. (I am not a graduate, so I am on the alumni list only as a courtesy.)
As you know, I began to support the Foundation through payroll deduction as soon as it
was introduced, and have continued to donate to Massey since my retirement. However,
the recent statements by the Vice-Chancellor make it clear that in her view there are
certain positions which Massey endorses as a matter of organisational policy, and that
questioning of those positions is to be shut down with epithets such as "hate speech". The
nuanced and difficult balance required of a Tiriti-based organisation with the mission of a
university to advance knowledge through the open contest of ideas has been decisively
resolved, at least for now. A Vice-Chancellor of another NZ university once said "I don't
agree with him, but he is entitled to his opinion", but at Massey the current position is that
"Error has no rights", and Professor Thomas is to be the judge of error.
Massey continues to be an institution engaged in teaching and research, but is no longer

what I understand by the term "university", and therefore not an institution that I wish to
continue supporting.
Regards
--
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: URGENT: Dr Brash
Attachments: Don Brash.docx
Kia ora Jan,
As you will know, along with I have given a number of opinions to the media on the hate
speech/freedom of speech discussions that have consumed NZ over the past month.
In the last day I have had a huge number of calls from the media and fellow academics around
the country on the issue of Dr Brash.
I have said nothing to date. I do have a position on events though – I believe we ought to have
allowed Dr Brash to talk, at least from the perspective of his political position.
As it reflects the type of university leader I want to be, I have penned the attached article that I
would like to release tomorrow morning.
I want it to be positive – to positively contribute to ongoing discussion and debate and to avoid
the polarisation that seems to accompany so many positions these days.
I would like you to read it and let me know your thoughts.
You have my trust and confidence as a leader (that shouldn’t need saying but it does). I think
calls for resignation are ridiculous and entirely unhelpful – as you will glean from my piece
attached.
I would like to think that you would see it as a positive contribution to a tricky subject. My
position is that it is ok for us to disagree – in fact, it is no problem at all.
I want to put out this in order to have a written, sane, moderate, positive and constructive piece
in place so as to not be misquoted or used for the purposes of others.
I very much look forward to hearing from you Jan.
My number is If you would like to talk about it then please do ring.
Nga mihi,
From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Cc:
Subject: a hasty draft of e log
Attachments: draft elog brash.docx
Collagues would you mind asap looking at this for me

Ta
Jan
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Attachments: elog-brash.docx
Jan, here is the updated version for consideration.

To:
under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 Massey University
obligation to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health and
safety of our workers, and anyone else who may be affected by our
operations. At its most basic level, we are responsible for ensuring that
nothing we do, or fail to do, causes an unreasonable risk of harm to our
community.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan;
Subject: Fwd: Teaching at Massey in September
Dear Jan and

This is for information rather than comment, just to keep you in the picture.
Regrettable over reaction.
Best
From:
To: <
Subject: Teaching at Massey in September
Kia ora and
It is with considerable sadness that I write to advise that I will not be able to
present a series of lectures to the New Zealand Wars course during September.
My withdrawal has been prompted by the decision by Massey's Vice

Chancellor, Jan Thomas, to cancel the speaking invitation to Dr Don Brash.
Notwithstanding any thoughts I might have about Dr Brash, I believe that Ms
Thomas has failed in the most fundamental aspect of her role -- to champion
the ideals of enquiry, open debate and free speech. This, in turn, reflects very
poorly on Massey University itself, and (as unfair it as may seem) calls into
question its commitment to these ideals.
I have always been proud to be a Massey alumnus, and have appreciated the
many opportunities I have had to engage with your students. I
still remember your warm welcome when I was seconded to Massey in 2000
, and the collegiality you
and your colleagues showed me throughout my time there.
I have not made this decision lightly: indeed, I was unable to sleep last night
as I grappled with the issue. In the end, however, the underlying issues are too
important to me, and my own set of values around the ideals I mention above;
and as such, I must withdraw.
I intend emailing the Vice Chancellor to advise her of my decision, but wanted
to give you both the courtesy of advising you first.
please accept my most sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may
cause. I was looking forward to working with you this year, and engaging with
another group of students. I wish you all the best for the course.
Nga mihi
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Re: a hasty draft of e log
Attachments: gbdraft elog brash.docx
Jan
I have gone over this for you quickly.
It’s very good and clear.
From:
To: "
Cc: "
Subject: a hasty draft of e log
Collagues would you mind asap looking at this for me

Ta
Jan
From:
To:
Subject: Don Brash
Dear and
I have been approached by the organiser of the weekly Social and Cultural Studies seminar (held
each Wednesday afternoon at 4 pm in AT3.50) about holding the next seminar on Wednesday 15
August on the subject of freedom of speech within universities, and further proposing to invite
Don Brash to attend.
I am very sympathetic to the proposal. I think staff will be eager to talk about the issue in the
wake of the banning of Don Brash’s visit to the student Politics group in Palmerston North.
The event would be advertised as normally through the HumSoc at Albany distribution list
(circulated to staff) and to a Humanities postgraduate list.
By the way I have just been asked onto the Panel on RNZ this afternoon to speak on freedom of
speech as it relates to religious freedoms.
From: Thomas, Jan
To:
Cc:
Subject: Re: URGENT: Dr Brash
Kia ora
Sorry for the late response. I haven’t read your piece but appreciate you sending it to me
prior to it’s publication. Of course you must do what you think is appropriate and say what
you think is appropriate. That is not only your right but also , as I say often, your
responsibility as an academic.
All best
Pomarie
Sent from my iPhone
On 8/08/2018, at 5:23 PM, wrote:
Kia ora Jan,
As you will know, along with I have given a number of opinions to the media
on the hate speech/freedom of speech discussions that have consumed NZ over
the past month.
In the last day I have had a huge number of calls from the media and fellow
academics around the country on the issue of Dr Brash.
I have said nothing to date. I do have a position on events though – I believe we

ought to have allowed Dr Brash to talk, at least from the perspective of his political
position.
As it reflects the type of university leader I want to be, I have penned the attached
article that I would like to release tomorrow morning.
I want it to be positive – to positively contribute to ongoing discussion and debate

and to avoid the polarisation that seems to accompany so many positions these
days.
You have my trust and confidence as a leader (that shouldn’t need saying but it
does). I think calls for resignation are ridiculous and entirely unhelpful – as you will
glean from my piece attached.
I would like to think that you would see it as a positive contribution to a tricky
subject. My position is that it is ok for us to disagree – in fact, it is no problem at all.
I want to put out this in order to have a written, sane, moderate, positive and
constructive piece in place so as to not be misquoted or used for the purposes of
others.
My number is If you would like to talk about it then please do ring.
Nga mihi,
<Don Brash.docx>
From:
To:
Cc: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re: Just and simple Question,
Date: 8 August 2018 12:13:41 PM
I really don’t think it warrants a response. At most I would say, thank you for your
comments, because his questions are not really questions.
From:
To:
Cc: Jan Thomas <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>
Hi
Regards

To:
Hi
Brash speaking.
Thanks
From:
It is disgusting.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re: Phone message:
image002.png
Mōrena Jan
Academic freedōm gives the right tō speak ōut (ōn a tōpic ōf his expertise, and in this
case criminal law); but ōne wōuld hōpe he wōuld recōgnise the respōnsibility this carries
and nōt undermine his emplōyer in the prōcess. lacked that subtlety.
I’ve nō idea what might say but he’s likely tō ōffer a cōntrary view tō the ōne yōu
have put fōrward.
Pōōr judgement ōn part gōing tō hōwever, given that even pōsing the questiōn
pōtentially cōmprōmises as a
Nga mihi,

To: "
Subject: Fwd: Phōne message:
I’d appreciate yōur advice ōn this ōne. My cōmplete sense is shōuld be allōwed tō say
whatever he wants. But it is quite awkward
J
From:
Subject: Fwd: Phone message:
Kia Ora Jan. A testing time in academia .....
A heads up and in any event I’ll decline tō give advice in any fōrm.
Me rira,

To:
Subject: Phone message:
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: Re: Response to Don Brash Enquiries
HI Jan
The Contact Centre have asked that they have a short statement to give to callers who
want to discuss the issue rather than putting them through to or me.
How about this?
The decision was not taken lightly. Safety is of paramount concern. Concerns about
security, including an online suggestion of violence, were raised by the students from
the club that invited Dr Brash to speak,. The Vice-Chancellor made the decision taking
that into account as well as recent events that suggest the current situation is
potentially volatile.
From:
To:
Cc: Contact Centre Team Leader <CallCentreTL@massey.ac.nz>
Subject: Response to Don Brash Enquiries
Hi
We have arranged with that the National Contact Centre will respond to emails
in regards to Don Brash. We would really like a one or two liner that we can reply with for these
emails. Typical emails are below. Are you please able to provide us with a possible response?
“You should all hang your heads in shame.”
“The suppression free speech in relation to Don Brash on a "university campus" is appalling.
YOUR JOB is to NOT ALLOW these leftist rabble control your university. Free speech is the victim and a
a leftist mob is the victor.
SHAME ON YOU.”
“I cannot find a statement outlining the reasons for your refusal to host Dr Don Brash at your
university.
One would have hoped that a University in NZ would be the one place we could expect to see freedom
of speech.
NZ stands for the right of free speech and all our tertiary institutions should support this.”
“I am not for or against Mr Brash. I am for free speech.

Shame.”
Nga mihi,
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 5.00 pm
named and should be read by the intended recipient only. If you are not the intended recipient and have received this email in
error, can you please notify the sender immediately and delete the content from your system. Thank you.
From:
To:
Cc: ; Thomas, Jan;

Date: 8 August 2018 12:15:07 PM
Hi
Hindsight is a great thing and makes sages of us all. However, I believe the question is not
what we know now, but what was the right course of action faced with the information
available at the time? The question I would ask myself - and the one I believe was asked -
would be. ‘Based on the evidence I currently have - If I allow this to go ahead, and
violence ensues - would the University be culpable?’ The possible consequences for the
University in ignoring violent threats are far more grave than calling off a lecture.
Sometimes an unpopular call has to be made in the light of our ‘duty of care’ as a
University. To me this looks like one of those occasions.
Cheers
Massey University
On 8/08/2018, at 11:53, wrote:
I would suggest we need more fundamental and verifiable evidence as to the nature and
scope of the alleged threats. This would mean, at the very least, screenshots of the so-
called "threatening social media posts".
Otherwise, I struggle to see us arriving at a credible position acting on mere hearsay.
Another angle is that if mere second- or third-hand whispers about (unverified) social
media foment is all it takes to shut down discussions involving controversial or unpopular
viewpoints, then a university's capacity to comply with its obligations under Section 161 of
the Education Act (and to maintain its point of difference from other provider classes such
as polytechs) may be seriously compromised.
This raises concern, in turn, that a university's perception as a socio-politically sanitised

institution subject to ideological cleansing, with everyone walking on eggshells, will not
reflect well in the longer term on its researchers, students and alumni.
Kind regards

Thanks
I’m going to stick with my personal position based on the facts I’ve been given at this
point. When I get something concrete that contradicts it - I’ll reassess.
Cheers
On 8/08/2018, at 11:29, wrote:
Hi my own view is that the issue is far more nuanced than this. I personally have
no knowledge of what the threats were, and the students appear to be resiling from any
claim they offered such advice.
Probably best to say nothing until we all have greater clarity.
Regards
From:
To:
"Thomas, Jan" <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>,
The issue isn’t one of free speech, in my view. I think it’s clearly about safety. The plug
was pulled on the event because the student body assessed that the threats of violent
action they were receiving were of enough concern that they couldn’t assure a safe
environment for the talk to happen in. The Vice Chancellor actions were not directed at
Don Brash, but (on the advice of the students) at those who would have disrupted his
free speech.
I am getting a little feedback from Academic Board members - and have been intending
to respond along the lines above - framing it as my opinion. Does this seem acceptable?
Massey University
On 8/08/2018, at 10:22, wrote:
Just confirming that there'll be the strictest of silence from me if approached.
owever wo ld also s est that there a e erit in an e er enc o ncil

video eetin to disc ss and seek a ni ied osition.
Media i res are startin to trans er res onsi ilit to s ersonall as o ncil
e ers and are de andin to know o r osition.
Kind regards
Colleagues,
n date ro a overnance ers ective on the edia interest in this iss e.
. Media en iries direct to o ncil e ers adio a roached oth

and sel this ornin to co ent. Other co ncil e ers a et a
si ilar a roach. st re indin o ncil e ers that o r standard rotocol is to
re er an s ch re ests to the ice hancellor and or to which is the
a roach and took this ornin . .
he ice hancellor did edia interviews esterda incl din two adio so
acknowled ents to an or ein ver enero s.
. rocess ro here an will contin e to kee the o ncil dated e ail. the
sit ation escalates will call a con erence call or o ncil. n the eanti e lease
contact e i o have an concerns.
Kind regards,
From:
Cc:
Seems like this is one of those situations where you are damned if you do and damned
if you don’t. I think you have made the right call on three counts 1. Safety first (if
someone gets physically hurt in an incident the university would be pilloried for not
having taken due care) 2. Values led - free speech but not hate speech 3. Honoring the
treaty is part of our values and the way NZ is trying to redefine itself as a diverse,
modern, liberal democracy. This Hobson Pledge thing seems to be a defensive
retrograde step towards crushing diversity.
Well done Jan.

Cheers
This email is confidential and may also be privileged. If you are not the intended
recipient please notify the sender immediately. You must not copy or use it for any
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On 7/08/2018, at 10:47 AM, Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz<

mailto:J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>> wrote:
Kia ora e hoa ma
A student society had scheduled Don Brash to speak as a former Nationals leader (part
of a theme of past, present and future). The society booked a venue at the Manawatu
campus and signed the forms required which includes that they uphold our strategy
and values inc being te tiriti led. By doing so they also commit to advising speakers of
this requirement.
In the last day there has been a surge of interest in this, fuelled by the Canadian
speakers in Auckland. We have been monitoring closely and began to observe
threatening language on social media channels. The student association approached us
to say they can no longer uphold the conditions of booking the venue, especially the
security dimensions.
Considering the nature of the social media, and the inability to comply with our
conditions of use, i have decided to cancel the event. The is particularly on the basis
of the safety of staff, students and community members who may be on campus at this
time.
It is being pushed by Brash and by David Seymour publically as a censuring of free

speech. I have been approached by several high profile media outlets to discuss this.
http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/news/article.cfm?mnarticle_uuid=
B3E11F9F-2C2C-4E9B-A0AD-352E72A76BB6
Nga mihi nui
Jan
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recipient please notify the sender immediately. You must not copy or use it for any
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message has been scanned for Viruses and Content by .
From:
To: ; Thomas, Jan;

Greetings everyone,
Given the amount of email traffic between Council members and the continuing media coverage, I thought it
prudent that I call a conference call for Council tomorrow, 9am-10am. You will have received an invite from
with the call-in details.
Agenda:
1. Situation Report/Update (verbal report) - Vice Chancellor

2. Media Policy (verbal report) - Vice Chancellor/ s
3. Media Strategy and Messaging (verbal report) - Vice Chancellor/
4. Process from here
Kind regards,
via iPad
This e-mail message is intended only for the addressee(s) and contains information which may be confidential.
If you are not the intended recipient please advise the sender by return email, do not use or disclose the
contents, and delete the message and any attachments from your system. Unless specifically indicated, this
email does not constitute formal advice or commitment by the sender or .
> On 8/08/2018, at 9:07 AM, > wrote:

>
> Colleagues,
>
> An update from a Governance perspective on the media interest in this issue.
>
> 1. Media enquiries direct to Council members: Radio NZ approached both and myself this
morning to comment. Other council members may get a similar approach. Just reminding Council members
that our standard protocol is to refer any such requests to the Vice Chancellor and/or to which
is the approach and I took this morning. I gave Radio NZ a brief interview yesterday. The Vice
Chancellor did 11 media interviews yesterday, including two by Radio NZ so acknowledgments to Jan for being
very generous.
>
> 2. Process from here: Jan will continue to keep the Council updated by email. If the situation escalates, I will
call a conference call for Council. In the meantime, please contact me if you have any concerns.
>
> Kind regards,
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> This e-mail message is intended only for the addressee(s) and contains information which may be
confidential. If you are not the intended recipient please advise the sender by return email, do not use or
disclose the contents, and delete the message and any attachments from your system. Unless specifically
indicated, this email does not constitute formal advice or commitment by the sender or its
subsidiaries.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> Sent: Tuesday, 7 August 2018 5:36 PM
> To: Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>
> Cc:
> Subject: Re: Update on an emerging issue - Massey University

>
> Seems like this is one of those situations where you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t. I think
you have made the right call on three counts 1. Safety first (if someone gets physically hurt in an incident the
university would be pilloried for not having taken due care) 2. Values led - free speech but not hate speech 3.
Honoring the treaty is part of our values and the way NZ is trying to redefine itself as a diverse, modern, liberal
democracy. This Hobson Pledge thing seems to be a defensive retrograde step towards crushing diversity.
>
> Well done Jan.
> Cheers
>
>
>
> This email is confidential and may also be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient please notify the
sender immediately. You must not copy or use it for any purpose or disclose its contents to any other person.
The sender accepts no responsibility for viruses received with or changes made to this email after it was sent.
Any opinion expressed in this email may be personal to the sender.
>
>
>
>
> On 7/08/2018, at 10:47 AM, Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz<mailto:J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>>
wrote:
>
> Kia ora e hoa ma
>
> I am alerting you to events unfolding that will be in the media.
>
> A student society had scheduled Don Brash to speak as a former Nationals leader (part of a theme of past,
present and future). The society booked a venue at the Manawatu campus and signed the forms required which
includes that they uphold our strategy and values inc being te tiriti led. By doing so they also commit to
advising speakers of this requirement.
>
> In the last day there has been a surge of interest in this, fuelled by the Canadian speakers in Auckland. We
have been monitoring closely and began to observe threatening language on social media channels. The student
association approached us to say they can no longer uphold the conditions of booking the venue, especially the
security dimensions.
>
> Considering the nature of the social media, and the inability to comply with our conditions of use, i have
decided to cancel the event. The is particularly on the basis of the safety of staff, students and community
members who may be on campus at this time.
>
> It is being pushed by Brash and by David Seymour publically as a censuring of free speech. I have been
approached by several high profile media outlets to discuss this.
>
> This note is to give you an heads up on these matters
>
> http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/news/article.cfm?mnarticle_uuid=B3E11F9F-2C2C-4E9B-
A0AD-352E72A76BB6
>
> please give me a call if you have any concerns
>
> Nga mihi nui
>
> Jan
> This email is confidential and may also be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient please notify the
sender immediately. You must not copy or use it for any purpose or disclose its contents to any other person.
The sender accepts no responsibility for viruses received with or changes made to this email after it was sent.
Any opinion expressed in this email may be personal to th
>
From:
To:
; Thomas, Jan;
Subject: RE: Update on an emerging issue - Massey University

Date: 8 August 2018 11:00:05 AM
That is a great message
This e-mail message is intended only for the addressee(s) and contains information which may be confidential. If you
are not the intended recipient please advise the sender by return email, do not use or disclose the contents, and delete
the message and any attachments from your system. Unless specifically indicated, this email does not constitute formal
advice or commitment by the sender or Cleawater Limited or its subsidiaries.
From:
To:
Cc:
Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz>;
The issue isn’t one of free speech, in my view. I think it’s clearly about safety. The plug was
pulled on the event because the student body assessed that the threats of violent action they
were receiving were of enough concern that they couldn’t assure a safe environment for the talk
to happen in. The Vice Chancellor actions were not directed at Don Brash, but (on the advice of
the students) at those who would have disrupted his free speech.
I am getting a little feedback from Academic Board members - and have been intending to
respond along the lines above - framing it as my opinion. Does this seem acceptable?
Massey University
From:
Thomas, Jan
Subject: Re: URGENT: Dr Brash
Jan
It’s a very thoughtful and personal piece. Good he has shared with you in advance. No
issue I can see.
Though this is entirely focussed on the free speech issue and with no knowledge of the risk
of security threat or harm to Maori staff (its a Pakeha perspective he puts forward). I’d say,
let it go out, a sign of a mature and confident University.
Na,
On 8 Aug 2018, at 8:26 pm, Thomas, Jan <J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz> wrote:
Hi
Do you see any issue, I don’t and believe to have an issue is problematic
J
Sent from my iPhone
From:
Cc:
Subject: URGENT: Dr Brash
Kia ora Jan,
As you will know, along with I have given a number of opinions

to the media on the hate speech/freedom of speech discussions that
have consumed NZ over the past month.
In the last day I have had a huge number of calls from the media and
fellow academics around the country on the issue of Dr Brash.
I have said nothing to date. I do have a position on events though – I

believe we ought to have allowed Dr Brash to talk, at least from the
perspective of his political position.
As it reflects the type of university leader I want to be, I have penned

the attached article that I would like to release tomorrow morning.
I want it to be positive – to positively contribute to ongoing discussion

and debate and to avoid the polarisation that seems to accompany so
many positions these days.
You have my trust and confidence as a leader (that shouldn’t need

saying but it does). I think calls for resignation are ridiculous and
entirely unhelpful – as you will glean from my piece attached.
I would like to think that you would see it as a positive contribution to

a tricky subject. My position is that it is ok for us to disagree – in fact,
it is no problem at all.
I want to put out this in order to have a written, sane, moderate,

positive and constructive piece in place so as to not be misquoted or
used for the purposes of others.
My number is If you would like to talk about it then

please do ring.
Nga mihi,
<Don Brash.docx>
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Re: URGENT: Dr Brash
Thanks Jan,
I hope you are doing well.
Sent from IPhone.
Kia ora
Sorry for the late response. I haven’t read your piece but appreciate you
sending it to me prior to it’s publication. Of course you must do what you
think is appropriate and say what you think is appropriate. That is not only
your right but also , as I say often, your responsibility as an academic.
All best
Pomarie
Sent from my iPhone
On 8/08/2018, at 5:23 PM,

wrote:
Kia ora Jan,
As you will know, along with I have given a number of opinions

to the media on the hate speech/freedom of speech discussions that
have consumed NZ over the past month.
In the last day I have had a huge number of calls from the media and
fellow academics around the country on the issue of Dr Brash.
I have said nothing to date. I do have a position on events though – I

believe we ought to have allowed Dr Brash to talk, at least from the
perspective of his political position.
As it reflects the type of university leader I want to be, I have penned

the attached article that I would like to release tomorrow morning.
I want it to be positive – to positively contribute to ongoing discussion

and debate and to avoid the polarisation that seems to accompany so
many positions these days.
You have my trust and confidence as a leader (that shouldn’t need

saying but it does). I think calls for resignation are ridiculous and
entirely unhelpful – as you will glean from my piece attached.
I would like to think that you would see it as a positive contribution to

a tricky subject. My position is that it is ok for us to disagree – in fact,
it is no problem at all.
I want to put out this in order to have a written, sane, moderate,

positive and constructive piece in place so as to not be misquoted or
used for the purposes of others.
My number is If you would like to talk about it then

please do ring.
Nga mihi,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: REQUEST - TE KAEA, MAORI TELEVISION
Kia ora Jan,
Maori Televisions news service Te Kaea is doing a story about Massey University’s decision to
ban former Reserve Bank Govenor Don Brash from giving a speech.
As part of our story we would like to request a phone interview with you to talk about Masseys
decision. Basically we’d like to ask why that decision was made.
If possible, we’d like to do the interview sometime this morning.
Can you please let me know if this is possible? If so, what time would suit you?
If you are unavailable for an interview, can you please provide a statement?
Our deadline for a response is 11am this morning.
Thank you for your time,
Nga mihi,

result from reliance on or the use of the information contained in this e-
mail or accompanying attachments. This e-mail together with any
accompanying attachments may be confidential and subject to privilege. If
you have received this message in error, please notify the sender
immediately by return e-mail or telephone and delete this message. You may
not copy, disclose or use the contents in any way. Kia ora.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Fwd: Massey Research
Date: 9 August 2018 12:36:23 PM
Jan
How are you today? It’s been a tough week. Just forwarding message below to let you
know it’s not all bad or Brash feedback!
Nga,
From:
Date: 9 August 2018 at 12:17:31 pm NZST
To:
Subject: Massey Research
Dear Thank you for a copy of the Massey Research, I was most
impressed. One paper stood out to me by on Locking up Carbon.
Well presented and should be given to the local papers for general interest. In
fact it seems to me that much of the content could be presented to the press.
The public should know more about Massey than Don Brash being cancelled!
Again many thanks formerly
From:
To:
Cc: Thomas, Jan;
Subject: Please replace my previous reply with this one
Date: 9 August 2018 12:43:18 PM
Kia ora again - Pardon me, but please disregard my previous reply, and accept this
one instead (which just adds a new final line).
Slan,
From:
Sent: Thursday, 9 August 2018 12:37 PM
To:
Cc: Thomas, Jan;
Subject: Re: Message to the College on my contribution to the Dr Don Brash debate
Kia ora
Thanks for this message. In case you are interested, I am in full agreement with you. But
having said that, there is a pretty strong case that can be made in support of the VC's
decision. (By the way, I teach a course on racism, ). An
activist (or 'radical'?) approach would suggest that we need to do more than be opposed
to racism; we need to proactively fight racism. From this perspective, the VC's decision can
be seen as a progressive, assertive action of doing that. While having an open debate or
discussion can also be seen as a way to fight or resist racism, it's a bit wimpy if you take the
victim's perspective. The victim's perspective is that we need to do more than talk and
debate, we need real political action. So I support the VC's decision as a brave act of
fighting racism, even though I would have let Brash speak for the same reasons you
present. Another thing that is in support of the VC's decision is that as a university which
appears to be truly dedicated to being 'te tiriti led,' she is quite correct that the
new administrative requirement that the booking of events should be considered
specifically in this light, is pretty compelling. It is more than a little ironic that a 'te tiriti led'
institution would sponsor a speaker who aggressively advocates the abolition of that very
treaty.
Slan,
From:
To: Humanities List (humsocsci-all@lists.massey.ac.nz)
Subject: [humsocsci-all] Message to the College on my contribution to the Dr Don Brash debate
Morena colleagues,
As many of you know, is away on leave at present leaving me as Acting PVC. You may
also know that and I have contributed to the national discussion on the divide
between free speech and hate speech that has occupied the consciousness of New
Zealand for the past month.
Today I released to the media an opinion piece on my personal take on Dr Jan Thomas’s
decision to cancel a speaking engagement of Dr Don Brash on our Manawatu campus. I
categorically disagree with that decision. If you have time, I would encourage you all to
read my extended piece (attached) in which I outline my position.
The VC has my confidence and I believe calls by politicians for her resignation are both
ridiculous and fall into the trap of polarised, positional, irrational, and uncivil comments
that do nothing to move us as a country forward in dealing with difficult and challenging
subjects. I disagree with the VC – and that is ok. I think we can do better in the future and I
know the VC is open for that discussion. We might disagree but she has my support.
The essence of my argument is that, whilst I am very disappointed that in 2018 we still
have questions over the interpretation and relevance of te Tiriti to New Zealand, I
nonetheless stand ready to debate and discuss the affirmative position of its relevance
with any and all who come forward. I will do that a 1000 times over if I have to. I will do
that with rationality, civility, a reference to history, to law, and to philosophy and with
conviction, with a strong belief, by the way, that history will prove my argument right.
Most of all, I want desperately for our communities to avoid the polarised extremes that
have come to typify so many issues in other parts of the world, the result of which, is a
disconnect between people and an inability to talk in a sane and productive way –
disagreeing well, if need be. I believe that New Zealand is better than that.
My vision for our College and our university is that we provide a model to students of how
we can engage in civil and rational debate on contentious issues in a productive way.
Whilst remaining open and receptive to others and their arguments, a disagreement with
me is not a case of disrespecting me. I am not shaken in my conviction on the relevance of
te Tiriti to me as a Pakeha male, to our College, to our University or to our communities
merely because someone argues te Tiriti is a modern irrelevancy.
I feel incredibly proud to be an academic – and to be a colleague of yours. As the PM says,
‘we can do this’, and we can do it in a positive way that moves our society forward to a
position of better understanding and ultimately, a stronger partnership and relationship
with our neighbours.
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/363686/the-decision-to-cancel-don-
brash-s-speaking-event-is-unequivocally-wrong
Nga mihi,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: updated elog
Attachments: elog-cancel.docx
Hi Jan, I wonder if this would be more succinct and acknowledge the impact on
staff more appropriately. Obviously will depend on what comes back to us
with.
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Subject: Fwd: [humsocsci-all] Message to the College on my contribution to the Dr Don Brash debate
Date: 9 August 2018 12:26:04 PM
FYI
From:
Date: 9 August 2018 at 12:20:16 pm NZST
To:
on my contribution
to the Dr Don Brash debate
Sent from my iPhone
From:
Date: 9 August 2018 at 11:45:22 AM NZST
To:
Subject: [humsocsci-all] Message to the College on my

contribution to the Dr Don Brash debate
Reply-To:
Morena colleagues,
As many of you know, is away on leave at present leaving me as

Acting PVC. You may also know that and I have contributed to the
national discussion on the divide between free speech and hate
speech that has occupied the consciousness of New Zealand for the
past month.
Today I released to the media an opinion piece on my personal take

on Dr Jan Thomas’s decision to cancel a speaking engagement of Dr
Don Brash on our Manawatu campus. I categorically disagree with
that decision. If you have time, I would encourage you all to read my
extended piece (attached) in which I outline my position.
The VC has my confidence and I believe calls by politicians for her

resignation are both ridiculous and fall into the trap of polarised,
positional, irrational, and uncivil comments that do nothing to move
us as a country forward in dealing with difficult and challenging
subjects. I disagree with the VC – and that is ok. I think we can do
better in the future and I know the VC is open for that discussion. We
might disagree but she has my support.
The essence of my argument is that, whilst I am very disappointed

that in 2018 we still have questions over the interpretation and
relevance of te Tiriti to New Zealand, I nonetheless stand ready to
debate and discuss the affirmative position of its relevance with any
and all who come forward. I will do that a 1000 times over if I have to.
I will do that with rationality, civility, a reference to history, to law, and
to philosophy and with conviction, with a strong belief, by the way,
that history will prove my argument right.
Most of all, I want desperately for our communities to avoid the

polarised extremes that have come to typify so many issues in other
parts of the world, the result of which, is a disconnect between people
and an inability to talk in a sane and productive way – disagreeing
well, if need be. I believe that New Zealand is better than that.
My vision for our College and our university is that we provide a

model to students of how we can engage in civil and rational debate
on contentious issues in a productive way. Whilst remaining open and
receptive to others and their arguments, a disagreement with me is
not a case of disrespecting me. I am not shaken in my conviction on
the relevance of te Tiriti to me as a Pakeha male, to our College, to
our University or to our communities merely because someone argues
te Tiriti is a modern irrelevancy.
I feel incredibly proud to be an academic – and to be a colleague of

yours. As the PM says, ‘we can do this’, and we can do it in a positive
way that moves our society forward to a position of better
understanding and ultimately, a stronger partnership and relationship
with our neighbours.
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/363686/the-
decision-to-cancel-don-brash-s-speaking-event-is-unequivocally-
wrong
Nga mihi,
From:
To: Thomas, Jan
Cc:
Subject: Don Brash affair
Hi Jan,
For what it’s worth, I just wanted to offer my support over this. Anyone whose head David
Seymour demands, must by default, be doing the right thing.
Cheers,
Kei te hoa, just alluded me to the Brash issue as I saw email and thought nothing of it. Just googled
and had a squizz at comments. Alas, out come the red necks! Kia kaha rÄ e hoa! Great stance to take! Aotearoa is
better off not hearing what Brash has to say. The alt-right are alive & well in Aotearoa. You will now be listened to
more than ever e hoa, public hanging on every word for a wee while.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/106287953/massey-university-student-politics-club-wants-to-bring-brash-back
Just a short update on Don Brash event this Wednesday. Organisers have signed all agreements to comply
with Te Tiriti values etc. however there is an emerging strong protest group that has been using language to
basis of clear safety risk to our communities along with other previously identified risks I have decided to
cancel Brash event on campus. This is currently being activated. It will cause further concerns of a different
kind inc from Brash. This has always been a no win scenario. I expect media on this ( either side or both)
tomorrow. Hold onto your hat. Just FYI. Jan
Hi Jan and
Just got this text and declined. On a plane and in Hamilton today.
Morning
here from RNZ Morning Report.
We'd love to talk to you about Massey University and the Don Brash talk. Are you available this morning?
Hi Jan
Thanks for the ride.
Re your elog on Brash cancellation. Not sure where you're at with discussions and approving this to be sent
but I'd favour sooner than later.
I'm sure that there are discussions going on all over the place that will be aided by the rationale.
Chin up, Kiwi's have a bad tall poppy thing going, clearly opinionated, love to hate, like to get on the band
wagon/hunt in packs while being individually self-absorbed and a propensity for "over-reaction" when we
think anyone's rights are being trodden on. My opinion anyway LOL
Also why hasn’t bought up that we were ok with Brash coming a month ago and he pulled out.
Thank you. I am about to get an elog to staff ( just with lawyers) - actually I never banned Brash, I did cancel the venue
hire and therefore event.
Also why hasn’t bought up that we were ok with Brash coming a month ago and he pulled out.
of course. I made no commitment. I think you should be famous. And to stare down the barrel at Don Brash
and tell him why he and his ideas are not only wrong but dangerous and harmful to Maori would be
exceptional. And you can speak Maori, which he can’t.
Hey
than the other questions. Which was disappointing and a bit sneaky. However they want to interview me
again when next in Auck and they seems v pleased with how it went, so I don’t want to annoy them by
raising it. Nice. So just so you know I don’t think we can trust the list of topics we get sent.
Jan
Maori TV just rang. They want you on a debate over free speech/hate speech with …Don Brash. I’ve asked
them to flick me an email. They are open to us proposing a different opponent. Sorry I laughed when he
said Brash and told him we see Hobson’s Pledge as in a similar category to the hate speakers.
Subject: FW: [massey-all] VC Message to All Staff
From: Massey All <massey‐all‐request@lists.massey.ac.nz>
Reply‐To: Massey All <massey‐all‐request@lists.massey.ac.nz>
Date: Friday, 10 August 2018 at 4:55 PM
To: "massey‐all@lists.massey.ac.nz" <massey‐all@lists.massey.ac.nz>
Subject: [massey‐all] VC Message to All Staff

Kia ora rā e hoa mā

Colleagues, you will all be very aware of my decision to cancel a booking for the Manawatū Politics
Society event with Dr Don Brash due to be held this week at Massey University in Manawatū. As I have
indicated in the media, the Manawatū Politics Society had a sequence of planned seminars on politics, as
is entirely appropriate. To be clear, I did not ban Dr Brash, I did however cancel a booking made by the
society at which Dr Brash was speaking.

I am taking this opportunity to explain the background to the decision and acknowledge that the response
to it has had an impact on staff.

My primary concern in deciding about events on a Massey University campus is the safety of you as staff
and the student community we belong to.

This is the background to my decision -

The Manawatū Politics Society, a student club, had arranged a talk with Dr Brash, focusing on his former
role as leader of the National Party. I was aware of this event being planned, as the society had invited
me to attend. They had booked rooms and agreed to terms and conditions, which included responsibility
for security and workplace health and safety. This event was scheduled to occur on Wednesday, but
society members became concerned about a potential security risk for the event because of indications
on social media of demonstration. They approached the University. Massey staff, along with myself,
looked at publicly available social media posts and I too became concerned. In particular, there was a
reference to taking a gun to the event.

We arranged a meeting with local police to discuss security. However, before that meeting could take
place, and having considered all aspects of this, I made the decision to cancel the booking of the event on
our campus. This is not the kind of decision that any VC takes lightly. Under the Health and Safety at
Work Act 2015, Massey University has an obligation to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the
health and safety of our workers, and anyone else who may be affected by our operations. At its most
basic level, we are responsible for ensuring that nothing we do, or fail to do, causes an unreasonable risk
of harm to our community. One learning from this experience is, I believe, the need to review how we
assess security threats on campus. At the time I made this decision, and I stand by it, I did so with the
information available to me, though I know many of you believe it to be the wrong one.

I know that many of you as staff have been the recipient of feedback about my decision. Some of the
responses have been civil and courteous, but some of it less so, and I regret that others have been
confronted in this way over a decision I made.

Personally, I value free speech immensely, but the public response to this decision has largely been to
accuse me of the opposite. And while the decision to cancel the booking for this event was based on the
security concerns discussed above, it has been conflated with issues relating to free speech. As
members of the academic community, for whom the free and frank exchange of ideas is fundamental to
university life, it is understandable some of you may have concerns. I propose we engage in a series of
discussions regarding freedom of speech and what it looks like on our campuses. I look forward to
contributing to this discussion with you. This will inform how we operate going forward.

I know that many of you disagree with my decision or think it was an over-reaction. I respect that, and
hope that this email has assisted in you understanding why I made this decision and why I stand by it.

If you have any further concerns or would like further information please be in contact by email,
J.B.Thomas@massey.ac.nz.

Nāku iti nei

Jan Thomas
Vice-Chancellor
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(1) 08/08/2018 1:05pm

(2) Wed 8/08/2018 12:23 PM

(3) Wed 8/08/2018 10:03 AM

(4) Tue 7/08/2018 12:48 PM

(6) Wed 8/08/2018 4:55 PM

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As an enforced supporter of your University’s activities, I am shocked by the news of your

NEED TO SEND US A FILE? USE THIS LINK:

Please do the honorable thing and resign as Vice Chancellor.

Dear Professor Thomas,

"The primary function of a university is to discover and disseminate knowledge by

Good Afternoon Jan

There is no compulsion to listen to Don Brash or anyone else speaking at an event or on

You are setting a dangerous precedent.

As a representative of mine, I look forward to your response

I hope I find you well.

Frankly smacks of a political stunt (a welcome one).

This includes spineless cowards who reneg.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Dear Vice Chancellor:

I am therefore astonished at your decision to block Dr Brash, an eminent New Zealander

My connection to Maori and to education is strong. I attended a state secondary school in

I disagree with David on his first method, that of employers boycotting

Reassess your principles, please: personally, I don't think you belong

Yours faithfully, with no respect,

Sent from my iPad

As a Massey graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) I am

Your stance that it is based on threats of violence is hollow.

My understanding is that there were no threats of violence. There was

I am ashamed of you and to be associated with Massey University. I have

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

Please leave my country, you are not welcome here!

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

FREE Animations for your email Click Here!

"Massey University is a powerhouse of intellect, invention and creativity."

A very concerned citizen

Dear Massey University - Vice Chancellor Ann Thomas

Papua New Guinea

As a member of an extended family which has 23 with part-maori ancestry, I

Very poor management, and a bad reflection on academia.

Try banning sausage rolls you fat pig.

Your decision to ban Mr Brash from speaking as an invited speaker to a

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

Dear Jan Thomas,

Sent from my iPad

I am sorry to hear of your recent decision to ban Don Brash from

Dear Jan Thomas,

I urge you to re-think the potential consequences of your decision.

Dear Vice Chancellor

Yours Sincerely (and meant with the utmost sincerity)

Very poor form.