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Georgina te Heuheu
National Treaty Negotiations Spokesperson

13 August 2001

It's all about the future, Helen!

The Prime Minister's latest comments confirm what I've suspected for some time: she doesn't understand that Treaty settlements are all about the future for Maori and New Zealand and not the past, National's Treaty Negotiations spokesperson Georgina te Heuheu said today.

"Using a rugby analogy, Maori have for over a century had to deal with being passed the ball behind the advantage line. Settling the grievances of the past are about giving Maori some 'drive forward'. At the moment we're at a standstill.

"We need to put the grievances of the past behind us, get out of grievance mode and build a solid platform. Only then will we be able to get some quality ball to our young people."

Mrs te Heuheu comments follow the Prime Minister telling Treaty settlement agencies, crying out for extra funding, not to hold their breath.

"The Prime Minister talks about her so-called priorities being health, education and economic development but Maori will continue to under-perform in all those areas if they are remain behind the advantage line.

"I urge the Government to look beyond its short-sighted strategy of stalling the Treaty process by starvation, and to think about securing a shared future for all New Zealanders," Mrs te Heuheu said.

Ends

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