The Paint That Drips On Quiet Investment
Student’s plea for Massey University to condemn genocide
I walk up a stairwell dodging the dripping paint on the walls and floor. Red, green, black, white. A couple students, some alumni and friends take out their frustration at Massey University’s silence on the Fine Arts stairwell on the night of June 13th. They paint 12 of Palestine’s national birds, sunbirds, for every university destroyed in Gaza. They throw paint haphazardly. I watch a sketch come to life of namesake William Massey spewing blood. They pour red slime down the stairs. They cover their hands in red paint and stamp them on the wall. It is ugly and raw. Words I’d also use to describe genocide. I ask if staff know what they are doing, and I’m met with shaking heads.
The protest art was revealed to Massey University one month ago. But today, the university is yet to recognise Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. And the question lingers — is it their job to?
Since October, Israel has waged a genocidal war against the people of Gaza, killing at least 38,000 and destroying hospitals, schools, mosques, churches, factories, homes, food and water sources. Thousands of university students across New Zealand have stood with Palestine this year, demanding universities divest from Israel and provide scholarships to Palestinians.
But last month, I watched a student paint a Massey University spokesperson’s quote spiraling down four walls: “As is appropriate for a university, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University has not taken a single position on this issue.”
On the day of the reveal, I arrived at 9am ready to catch the reaction of staff arriving for the high school experience day. But security had already cut off access and the paint and slime were being cleaned up. I tried to get in, to which security told me the building was under “maintenance”.
“How did you hear about this?” a security guard asked.
“I was here yesterday when they did it,” I replied.
“Oh, were you? Who did it?”
“Well, I can’t tell you that.”
The protest art was covered the next day, with splatters of red paint still seeping through, like blood stains.
I asked Massey University many questions regarding the incident, including: What financial links does Massey University have with Israel? I was pleasantly surprised to see them answer it, but what I read was not so pleasant.
A spokesperson said, “The Massey University Foundation has $64 million invested in managed funds. Of this, within the past three months, $7,105.00 is invested in Israeli Government Bonds.”
Government bonds are a bond issued by a country's government, with the promise to repay borrowed money at a fixed rate of interest over a set period of time. This means the Massey University Foundation is directly giving funding to a government murdering thousands. While this investment number may seem small in the scheme of things, that could pay for one more weapon, one more bullet, and cost another life. In a document leaked to Massive, it states that the bonds are part of a $6.2 million bond portfolio, meaning if the foundation wished to divest the Israeli Government Bonds, it would have to sell the entire portfolio.
The spokesperson said the fund managers are signatories to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment. This network is not part of the United Nations per say but is supported by it. After reading through its principles, it seemed to be a ‘tick box’ for investors. The signatories' principles speak about environmental, social and corporate governance issues. However, it appeared more concerned with how they affect business rather than people. The signatories’ commitment said, “We believe that environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) issues can affect the performance of investment portfolios”.
Releasing the news of the Massey University Foundation ties with Israel could not have been better timed — depending on where you’re standing. Shortly after Massive’s breaking news, @masseyuni on Instagram shared provost Giselle Byrnes’ article titled, Opinion: ‘A right to remain silent?’
The opinion piece said it’s not a university’s role to take stances, but to create a safe space for students and staff to do so. “Individuals may have views, but the institution itself does not have the right to state views; it is the role of the university to create the conditions where staff and students may exercise these rights.” Students were frustrated that Byrnes repeatedly called the issue the “war” in Gaza.
The post, which is now deleted, was flooded with comments of people who felt investment in Israeli Government Bonds is a stance in itself. One comment in particular stood out to me, explaining how Massey’s strategy states it will step forward for humanitarian crises.
This commenter wasn’t wrong. The university’s strategy states that global megatrends, including humanitarian crises, “require that universities such as Te Kunenga Ki Pūrehuroa Massey University step forward and address the complexities those issues present”.
The strategy also seemed to contradict Byrnes statements, with the university taking stances on issues such as Te Tiriti o Waitangi and climate change. Page 4 said Massey University is “grounded on our commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi”. Not to mention that the university consistently advertises itself as a Te Tiriti led institution on its website and advertising. The document goes on to say that the climate crisis poses a serious threat to planetary systems and to human life, and that the university is committed to developing students that will contribute to a low carbon future.
Despite this, Brynes’ article states, “It is not for the institution to make a specific statement or adopt a singular position on any particular issue.” While Byrnes’ article was labeled as ‘opinion’, very similar comments have been sent to me by a Massey University spokesperson. The two both referenced the NZ Education and Training Act 2020 and academic freedom. The spokesperson said, “We encourage our students and staff to discuss and engage in informed debate as is appropriate for a university.”
A Fine Arts student who took part in the protest art, Tamara Irvine, came forward shooting Brynes and Massey University down. Irvine said it was “absolutely not” fair for the university to say it is not their role to take stances, while taking them on other issues. “They clearly have taken a stance on the issue. To be financially supporting the extremely violent colonisation and ethnic cleansing occurring in Palestine goes directly against Te Tiriti.”
Irvine pointed out that the university is also Rainbow Tick certified, wondering why it can show support for the Queer community but not Palestinians students. “Massey’s leadership is very contradictory about when they speak up about violence and when they don’t.”
They felt the university had missed what students are asking for. “They keep twisting our words, making it sound like we’re asking them to pick a side between Palestine or Israel which is not true. We’re asking them to condemn genocide which is the bare minimum they could do.”
Irvine was part of writing the letter left alongside the protest art in June, addressed to Fine Arts lecturers and staff by name. The letter read, “You are leaders in this space and we look to you as role models ... Israel has destroyed all 12 universities in Gaza. We want to know why you have said nothing.” This letter had mixed responses, with comments saying it was disrespectful to the lecturers who could feel like their jobs are at risk if they speak out.
Since the letter, Fine Arts staff and students have held a meeting to begin discussion and debate on the issue. Irvine, who a few weeks ago was extremely open with me, would not answer questions about conversations with staff since or before the protest art. When asked if Irvine had been asked not to speak to media, they were hesitant to answer, “Not explicitly, they (staff) didn’t want media involved in the first meeting.” I suppose there is some healing to be done between Fine Arts staff and students now. Irvine suspected that staff may not want to speak up individually due to the many jobs being cut and the “threatening” and “messed up” nature of this.
While it was difficult to find a Fine Arts staff member who would speak to me, Kingsley Baird, acting head of school stepped forward, squeezing me in between PhD students. Like Irvine, he seemed nervous to speak to me, answering questions in a pre-rehearsed tone.
As an artist, it was clear he appreciated the passionate nature of the protest art. However, “There are some negative things about this. The naming of the staff I think was very unfair and really hurtful.” He said, “There was no discussion with the staff beforehand to find out what they were doing, what their views were, how they were engaging with this.” He hoped moving forward better dialogue could be had.
When asked what Baird’s individual stance was on Israel’s genocide of Palestinians, he said, “I am supportive of an independent Palestine state in which the people can lead free and secure lives. And I wish the same for the people of Israel.”
From an employee's perspective, he appreciated the university staying ‘neutral’. “I wouldn’t work in a place where I was being told what to think and how to feel by my employer. That is not the case in universities in New Zealand at least.” However, he seemed mostly onboard with the students’ wish for scholarships of Palestinians, “I’d actually support the university providing scholarships to all sorts of disadvantaged people here and overseas but particularly people who are in war torn countries.”
He said the Israeli Government Bonds should be “seriously looked at” along with all investments in things like fossil fuel or tobacco companies. “Ethical decisions need to be made about all kinds of investments.”
I am left expecting the unexpected. Massey University is constantly surprising me. I didn’t expect them to cover up small ‘Free Gaza’ and ‘Honour Te Tiriti’ tags on the Wellington campus in April. With the backlash of that, I didn’t expect them to cover up pro-Palestine protest art shortly after without consulting students. I didn’t expect them to be honest about their financial ties with Israel.
But hoping this honesty streak could last, a week ago I asked Massey University a question that might leave students with an answer: Does the university condemn genocide?
“Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University condemns violence of any nature. Genocide is a heinous crime that violates the fundamental principles of humanity and justice,” a spokesperson said.
The student’s plea for the university to condemn genocide has been answered. I felt relieved by this, but also left wondering if the university recognises the genocide of Palestinians specifically. After all, money talks louder than words.
For now, I am left walking up a spiraling staircase of red, green, black and white paint. I am left hearing the chants of protest marching through the cities. I am left reading cardboard signs calling out Massey University. I am left with constant comments and messages from students. So much more is yet to come, and the volume is only getting louder.
