15 January 2002

No one should be fooled into thinking that Clark is performing some great achievement by what she has planned for Waitangi Day, says National Party Leader Bill English.

"Lets not forget this is a Labour Prime Minister we are talking about here, and can you imagine Norm Kirk, Bill Rowling or David Lange only making an appearance under the cover of darkness at Waitangi.

" It is extraordinary that Clark's return to Waitangi is seen as a big deal, of course the Prime Minister should be present. The only extraordinary thing is the length Clark has gone to minimise the chance of anything embarrassing occurring as did in 1998.

'What we have here is a Prime Minister who cannot take the heat on tough issues especially those relating to Maori. Clark is renowned for her bully tactics and yet when the tables are turned on her she doesn't like it.

"New Zealand is looking for leadership on the many issues facing Maori, in particular resolving the many outstanding Treaty Claims. National has a proven track record in this area and I am looking forward to attending the official functions at Waitangi," says Mr English.

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