Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Maori King Should Stay Neutral

Rt Hon Winston Peters

New Zealand First Leader

Member of Parliament for Northland
22 AUGUST 2016

Maori King Should Stay Neutral

The Maori King would have been better advised to stay away from public support for political parties and remain neutral, says New Zealand First Leader and Northland MP Rt Hon Winston Peters.

“It is disappointing that the Maori King has been used in such a sad way. It is regrettable for the Kingitanga movement and the welfare of Maoridom,” Mr Peters says.

King Kiingi Tuheitia said during his annual speech at Turangawaewae yesterday that he would not vote for the Labour Party again and supported the Maori and Mana parties.

“There’s no way his predecessor the Maori Queen would ever have done that,” says Mr Peters.

“She knew there were different political views in the Kingitanga movement, and she had to stay above the political ruck.”

Mr Peters said it was clear the comments had come through the King’s former advisor and now president of the Maori Party, Tukoroirangi Morgan.

“Tuku Morgan’s track record is not a great one. Anyone who had the idea that Tuku’s new position in the Maori Party is going to help them just found out how bad the appointment was.

“A matter of weeks ago he was talking about Maori and Mana needing to come together, now we see this latest tactic using the Maori King as desperation.”

Mr Peters questioned why anyone in the King’s position would enter the political fray which predecessors have steadfastly avoided.

“Clearly, Mr Morgan does not know that in the wāhi tapu close to where I live in Whananaki, lies the sister of a former Maori King, which is the reason my family has a direct lineage to Tainui.”

ENDS


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.