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Scoop Audio: Sharples On Auckland Maori Seats
Scoop Audio: Sharples On The Auckland Maori Seats Decision
By Spike Mountjoy
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Pita Sharples – a little brassed off
Pita Sharples said he will urge National Party MP’s to cross the floor and vote in favour of Maori seats on the new Auckland council, after cabinet voted down the idea yesterday.
The Maori Affairs Minister outside cabinet said Maori could only be properly represented in Auckland if they were “at the top table”.
“Everyone knows that the councilors make the decisions.”
Sharples said he was “brassed off” at Local Government Minister Rodney Hide's "cunning" ultimatum to the Prime Minister on the seats decision.
Hide said he would resign his ministerial portfolios if cabinet endorsed the seats idea.
The Prime Minister now wants Sharples and Hide to work together on a compromise to address Maori representation in Auckland
Listen to full audio of Mondays press conference below:
DOWNLOAD MP3
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