Media statement from the Alliance party.

Improving the lives of Maori - Mana Motuhake hits the road

Immediate Release 2 October 2001

The first meeting of Mana Motuhake's tour of the North Island was a great success collecting new members and support from people in Hastings yesterday says Mana Motuhake Leader and Alliance MP, Willie Jackson.

"The people of Hastings and the Ngati Kahungungu area were pleased to meet with us as the only Maori party ever to be in government. Mana Motuhake was also pleased to listen to their concerns and is keen to return next year to speak with them again.

"It is clear that the partnership between Mana Motuhake and the Alliance is the best on offer for improving the lives of Maori and addressing the concerns the people raised at our meeting.

"Maori are concerned about health care and education. Only Mana Motuhake and the Alliance support free health care and education and have a budget that can deliver it. We would have kept the Napier hospital open had we been the majority partner in government.

"Maori are concerned about getting representation on local and national government. Mana Motuhake and the Alliance are supporting Matt McCarten as the Maori Mayor for Auckland and fighting for Maori representation in local government in the Bay of Plenty.

"Mana Motuhake and the Alliance have ensured that Maori broadcasting will include programs in English as well as supporting Maori language programs.

"I am a huge supporter of Maori language and will be taking up the concerns of the meeting that we should make sure children come out of our education system with some ability to speak Maori.

"People at the meeting were also pleased to hear that we are listening to their concerns and working within government to improve funding for the Waitangi Tribunal, sort out fisheries allocation and improve the responsiveness of government agencies to Maori needs.

"It was good to meet with the people of Ngati Kahungungu and Hastings and let them know that we are going back to Parliament to advocate for their concerns within government. They know that it's important that there is more than one voice for Maori. And we believe that Mana Motuhake and the Alliance are the best option to improve the lives of Maori," said Willie Jackson.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

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