UN Declaration Creates Two Countries - Peters

Signing a controversial United Nations declaration on indigenous rights is a huge mistake, according to Rt. Hon Winston Peters, who was Foreign Minister when New Zealand decided to reject the declaration.

Mr Peters said today he was shocked that National and the Maori party had secretly agreed to a deal to “throw away” New Zealand's sovereignty and create what amounted to another state within a state.

“All our advice at the time was against signing up to this declaration because it is a challenge to our constitution and we would end up trapped in a system where there would be separate rules for New Zealanders – based on race.

“This will be an unmitigated disaster. National has sold out to the Maori party without any public debate.

“Some Maori are already describing themselves as separate 'nations' and it will now only be a matter of time before some start trying to declare their independence.

“The government is creating a nightmare for generations of New Zealanders,” said Mr Peters.

When an article in this Agreement gives a Veto Right to one race within a nation over legislation, then whether it is non binding or aspirational does not save the situation given that such demands are already being made within New Zealand and being weakly agreed to.

ENDS

© Scoop Media