Celebrating 25 Years of Scoop
Don't go to hell Minister - come to Taipa
MEDIA STATEMENT
Hone Harawira
Maori Party MP for Te Tai Tokerau
16 November 2010
Don't go to hell Minister - come to Taipa
"I'm a little disappointed to hear the Minister of Treaty Negotiations speak so disparagingly of the Taipa whanau," said Hone Harawira, the Maori Party's Tai Tokerau MP.
"They are simply seeking the return of lands clearly identified by the Waitangi Tribunal as having been improperly taken in the past.
"They have the full support of the whanau, hapu and iwi, they haven't abused or attacked anyone, and I know from comments that have come back to me from local clergy, that they have been very respectful even when being abused themselves.
"I think it's sad if the Minister is seeking to punish them for simply exercising their legitimate right to protest, and I don't think his comments will be helpful at all in resolving what the whanau see as being a legitimate claim for the return of stolen land.
"I would encourage the minister to accept the request to meet with the whanau, and indeed, I would be more than happy to go with him if he thinks it might help."
ENDS
Gordon Campbell: On The Royal Commission Report Into Abuse In Care
PSA: Overturning Court Of Appeal Decision On Foreshore And Seabed Is Abuse Of Power
NZ Labour Party: Charter Schools To Remove The Rights Of Teachers
Te Pāti Māori: Te iwi Māori Will Not Stand For Another Foreshore And Seabed
Cooper Legal: Lawyers For Survivors Support Royal Commission’s Call For Urgent Action
IHC New Zealand: IHC Slams Winston Peters' Use Of Retard As An Insult In Parliament
NZ Government: PM Speech To Parliament – Royal Commission Of Inquiry’s Report Into Abuse In Care
