Maori Affairs Minister Caught Between Maori Caucus And Cabinet

The Minister of Maori Affairs is caught between showing solidarity with Cabinet or solidarity with Maori, National Maori Affairs spokesperson Georgina Te Heuheu said today.

"Maori were hopeful that when Parekura Horomia was promoted that they had a strong representative at the Cabinet table.

"But his answers to my questions in Parliament today show that Maori have been sorely let down.

"He gave carefully scripted replies that obviously show he's torn between Cabinet and the Maori caucus.

"The Government's Maori MPs are furious with Paul Swain for telling the Waitangi Tribunal that it need not consider energy claims because the Government will ignore whatever the Tribunal says.

"The least that Mr Horomia could do for Maori would be to say that he will represent their interests, even if he expected to be over-ruled. But he won't even do that because he's scared of incurring the wrath of the Prime Minister," Mrs Te Heuheu said.

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