Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Labour Boasts Illegal Roadblocks Were "Well Supported By Government"

Two Labour Members of Parliament have confirmed the claim by Democracy Action that the Government and Police condone illegal iwi roadblocks on public roads. Tamati Coffey (Labour – Waiariki) and Kiri Allan (Labour – List MP living in the East Coast) have stated that these roadblocks were “well supported” by the Government and that police “helped with the checkpoints”.

Debating on Newstalk ZB with National Iwi Chairs Forum spokesman Rahui Papa, who was critical of the alleged lack of Government support for iwi, the two MPs cited iwi checkpoints as a prime example of a “number of initiatives where Maori and the Government have partnered over COVID-19.”

Democracy Action spokesperson, Lee Short, said:

“We have criticized the Prime Minister for a lack of leadership during a situation where one group was clearly treated as if it was above the law. The Police Minister had a soft and vacillating stance which encouraged self-appointed activists and their gang enforcers to intimidate law-abiding New Zealanders.”

“Rather than dispute these criticisms, Ms Allan and Mr Coffey have instead celebrated them as a well-supported partnership between Government, Police and iwi. I suspect this is a better description of the real situation than Jacinda Ardern’s bland platitudes and Stuart Nash’s double speak. At least someone in Government is finally being honest – they fully supported the illegal roadblocks and encouraged the Police to do the same.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“This stance, finally unmasked by two backbenchers in a moment of honesty, confirms there was Government support for a direct and concerted challenge to the principle that all New Zealanders are equal before the law. There needs to be a full high-level review of this regrettable situation. Political parties must commit to not tolerating such actions again, no matter what the pretext,” said Mr Short.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.