19 January 2016

Ngapuhi showdown over TPP deal

The Government should not be surprised if they have a TPP showdown with Ngapuhi at Waitangi. This is because they have failed to inform Maori about the implications of the free trade deal, says Labour’s Te Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis.

“Ngapuhi kaumatua Kingi Taurua has said the Government is unwelcome at Waitangi because of his concern for his people.

“I understand his anxiety and emotion around this because the Government has failed to explain concerning details around the deal and Maori feel they’ve been kept in the dark.

“In true Ngapuhi style Kingi Taurua is using the political platform that Waitangi provides to highlight Maori discontent about the Government’s lack of consultation and information.

“What the Government fails to understand is that people are concerned about genuine issues that affect the lives of their whanau, hapu and iwi.

“Maori have a long history of international trade dating back to the early 19th Century. Labour supports free trade but the TPP is about so much more than free trade. The final deal won’t be supported by Maori if the Government continues to ignore Maori concerns,” says Kelvin Davis.

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