Hon Parekura Horomia
Minister of Maori Affairs

14 August 2000

Minister Apologises to Timaru

The Minister of Maori Affairs, Honourable Parekura Horomia, has apologised to the Timaru community for his comment about gang problems in city.

Mr Horomia made the comment as part of his response to a question at the Maori Affairs select committee last week.

The Minister said he made the comment based on his experience with GELS (the Group Employment Liaison Scheme) in the mid 1980s, when he worked with programmes specifically designed to target gangs throughout the country.

"I was part of the positive steps were taken to deal with gang problems but, admittedly, that was some time ago."

Mr Horomia said he has been enlightened about the current situation by the MP for Aoraki Jim Sutton and many other people from Timaru.

"It was unfair to specifically name Timaru in my response to the Maori Affairs select committee and therefore I do apologise to the Timaru community."

ENDS

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