Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Top Scoops

Book Reviews | Gordon Campbell | Scoop News | Wellington Scoop | Community Scoop | Search

 

Tariana Turia Comments On Haami Piripi Case

Maori Party Co-Leader Tariana Turia Scoop Interview (Snippet)


By Kevin List


Click for big version

Q: What were you thoughts on the recent row regarding the submission of Haami Piripi?

A: Well you know Haami Piripi has been a public servant for probably twenty or thirty years and he's been a very loyal professional public servant. One of the issues I think that surrounds this whole matter, is that it is a very contentious issue for Iwi. Now, not only is he [Mr Piripi] a public servant, but he is also a chief in his own right within his tribal grouping. He hasn't participated professionally in any aspect of this Bill [the Seabed and Foreshore Bill]. In terms of his public service role he has had no involvement at all. I personally cannot see why he should not have been allowed in his role as a Chief of his tribe to give their submission. That was their [the tribe's] submission, it wasn't his personal submission. I think that is where the problem lies, you have got the Prime Minister and the State Services Commissioner and others seeing this as a personal submission, when it is not, it is a tribal submission and I think there is a huge difference. He has to take his place in the tribe otherwise do public servants just become puppets of the Crown?

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Q: So you think the government should have perhaps supported him on this issue?

A: I think they could have ignored it. He has not done anything illegal. He hasn't broken any rules. The other thing is that you sign up to a document that talks about professionalism and integrity. What does integrity mean?


*******

Due to the fact that traversing the etymological and ethical concept of integrity would be possibly as time consuming as trying to define political correctness with Murray McCully, the rest of the interview traversed more easily defined topics such as Housing, the high rate of Maori imprisonment and Health.

COME BACK TOMMORROW FOR SCOOP'S AUDIENCE WITH TARIANA TURIA….

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Top Scoops Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.