Mana Leader Calls on Government to Guarantee Rugby World Cup Safety

MANA leader Hone Harawira is demanding an urgent meeting with Rugby World Cup minister Murray McCully to ensure there is no repeat of the opening debacle.

Mr Harawira says the fact that young maori, many of whom were women, were assaulted on the Auckland waterfront is an absolute disgrace that Mr McCully must carry responsibility for whomever he attempts to blame.

“He put himself and his government in the position to benefit from the event and he can not hide from the fact that he let the country down by failing to ensure the safety of a group who had given their time to make the opening ceremony a world class spectacle.

“Many of the people assaulted by an unruly drunken mob were my constituents and I am not prepared to sit by and let anything like that happen again. Those waka crew had donated considerable time to showing the world Maori tikanga and the fact that they were put at such risk is reprehensible.

“McCully as the head of the event must step up and protect people going about lawful activity. If this involves banning alcohol so be it – the people's safety must come first and the nation's reputation must not be put at risk again.

“I want an urgent meeting with the minister and unless he can give an absolute assurance that there will be no repeat I have little doubt Maori will in the future be reluctant to give their time and effort again.”

Mr Harawira who had a number of whanau among those attacked says he also wants an assurance from the minister and police that they are pursuing all those who should be charged with assault and drunk and disorderly behaviour.

ENDS

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