Hon. Tau Henare
National Party Associate Maori Affairs Spokesman

28 October 2005

Time to end ‘dial a kaumatua’

National Party Associate Maori Affairs spokesman, Tau Henare, wants Maori leaders to end the “dial a kaumatua” culture promoted by the Labour Government when opening foreign ministries overseas.

“Such performances pervert the integrity of the culture, particularly in view of Mr Goff’s recent comments that karakia are performed merely as promotional gimmicks to attract media attention in foreign countries.

“While some kaumatua may willingly hop on the ‘plastic tiki tour’ abroad, Labour’s recent hash of the Foreshore and Seabed Bill back home is proof of the double standards inherent in their politically correct agenda.

Mr Henare says Labour continually uses and abuses Maori values whenever it suits them.

He also challenges the new Foreign Affairs Minister, Winston Peters, to support Wayne Mapp’s call to eradicate the practice of ‘dial a Kaumatua’.

“In the past, Mr Peters has been a very vocal opponent of Helen Clark’s and the Labour Party’s politically correct agenda, and now it’s time for him to step up to the plate.”

ENDS

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