The group is led by former National Party and ACT leader Don Brash, who delivered the controversial Orewa Speech in 2004 on race relations in New Zealand.

[8] In early 2018, Hobson's Pledge supported citizens-initiated local body referendums opposing the establishment of Māori wards and constituencies in Palmerston North, Western Bay of Plenty, Whakatāne, Manawatū, and Kaikōura.

[13][14] However, others including Whakatāne mayor Tony Bonne, Labour MPs Willie Jackson and Tāmati Coffey, as well as former Māori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell[15][16][12][17] were dismayed.

Hobson's Pledge supported citizens in Tauranga, Whangārei, Kaipara, Northland (regional council), Gisborne, Taupō, Ruapehu, New Plymouth and South Taranaki who organised campaigns to collect signatures.

According to RNZ, the website and Facebook account was run by the Campaign Company, which is listed as the registrant of other internet domain names associated with Hobson's Pledge including isthisracist.nz, bottomline.nz and equalhealth.nz.

[26] During the 2023 New Zealand general election, Hobson's Pledge released a series of attack advertisements in late September 2023 targeting Labour Party leader and Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.

These ads were in response to the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions' attack advertisements in early September targeting National Party leader Christopher Luxon.

[27] Hipkins had earlier claimed in early September 2023 that Hobson's Pledge along with the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union and Groundswell NZ were National Party surrogates.

[32] Hobson's Pledge has been accused of inciting racism, division, and disinformation by Labour Party leader Andrew Little, Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei, broadcaster and Labour politician Willie Jackson, Prime Minister John Key, Deputy Mayor of Gisborne Josh Wharehinga, and the New Zealand Māori Council for its calls to abolish affirmative action and opposition to Māori wards and constituencies, which the group call special rights and anti-democratic.

[better source needed] The group itself has fervently denied allegations of racism towards Māori, with leader Don Brash stating in response that he is simply against "race-based privilege".