26 May 2009
Media Statement

Hide tries divide and rule tactics over Maori seats

Local Government Minister Rodney Hide’s attempts to blame Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples for the Government’s ongoing refusal to support Maori seats on the Super City is a pathetic diversion, says Labour MP Mita Ririnui.

“Rodney Hide’s attempt to divide Aucklanders on the Maori representation issue has been a dismal failure. That became obvious at the hikoi.

“On Maori Television’s Native Affairs show last night and again in the House today, Mr Hide has now turned his guns on Pita Sharples, attempting to blame him for the decision.

‘It’s nothing more than an attempt to use the old ‘divide and rule’ tactic among Maori,” says Mita Ririnui.

“But it won’t work. Instead of trying to blame his colleague, Mr Hide should instead accept he’s made a mistake and focus on coming up with the obvious solution.

“He could start by clarifying whether the Government is actually ‘open to hearing views’ on this issue, as the Prime Minister has said, or whether it has effectively ruled out Maori seats, as Mr Hide has suggested.

“Mr Hide should also explain, given his comments on Native Affairs, whether he plans to vote against Maori seats on the Auckland Council in Parliament, regardless of the position the Cabinet takes,” says Mita Ririnui.

He certainly suggested as much when he said it would take a ‘heck of a lot’ to change his views on the Maori seats, but ‘I'm only one vote, or my party's only five votes in Parliament.’

“Mr Hide has repeatedly talked about his ‘personal views’ on the Maori seats in recent days, when he is being interviewed as the Minister of Local Government.

“It has become increasingly unclear whether he is representing Act’s views or those of the Government on this issue – a line that should not be blurred.

“Mr Hide also made it clear he was an advocate of privatisating local government assets on Native Affairs last night. Once again the public is left in the dark as to whether this is the view of the Cabinet or just Mr Hide.”

ENDS

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