Maori youth urged not to give DNA samples

Maori youth urged not to give DNA samples to police

"Just say no" is the message Maori Party youth and police spokesperson Hone Harawira is giving to young Maori who were being asked by police to give a voluntary DNA sample.

"I've heard of a few cases where young Maori have been conned by police into giving DNA samples even when they haven't committed a crime. One young Maori told me the police wanted the sample because one of their relatives might be known to police.

“Another told me the police wanted the sample in case the rangatahi got killed and the police needed to identify them.

"All of this is completely outside the guidelines, and I am warning police to either drop these Nazi style tactics immediately or I will be advising these kids to get top lawyers to sue.

"Police should not even be approaching rangatahi on DNA issues without their parents being present, and until I can get an assurance from the Minister that police have been pulled into line I will be recommending that all young Maori simply refuse to give DNA.”

Mr Harawira will be approaching the Police Minister to express his concerns.

ENDS