Meka Whaitiri
MP for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti
Local Government spokesperson

MEDIA STATEMENT

16 September 2016

Kermadec stoush shows Māori Party double-standards

The Māori Party’s reaction to the trampled Treaty rights and the Government’s lack of consultation on the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary reeks of the same arrogant mismanagement of the unpopular Maori land reforms, Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Meka Whaitiri says.

“National’s little helpers, the Māori Party, have championed the Te Ture Whenua Maori Bill, in the face of overwhelming opposition from the Waitangi Tribunal, the Maori Land Court judges, the Human Rights Commission and a majority of submitters to select committee, from large incorporations to small whanau trusts.

“The Waitangi Tribunal has already found that Treaty principles would be breached if the Crown fails to ensure properly informed, broad-based support for the Te Ture Whenua Māori Bill to proceed.

“It is now indisputable that no such support for this Bill exists, yet Te Ururoa Flavell is in total denial about it.

“No one is buying the faux outrage from the Māori Party MPs over the Kermadecs.

“Flavell and Fox must stop propping up their National mates and honour the Treaty all the time not just when it suits their agenda.

“Nick Smith’s lack of Māori consultation and disregard for Treaty rights with the Kermadecs is a complete stuff-up and could lead to years of legal problems for all iwi.

“Te Ururoa Flavell needs to reflect on how similar the sanctuary stuff-up is to his own mismanagement of Te Ture Whenua and withdraw the Bill now,” Meka Whaitiri says.

ends

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