Tuesday, 4 August 2020, 9:56 pm Press Release: The Maori Party
The Board of Television New Zealand and its senior
management determined last week that the Māori Party would
not be able to participate in any of the political debates
being broadcast on the state-owned TV channel.
Māori
Party Co Leader John Tamihere said: “We note that the TVNZ
Board must comply with its shareholder owner direction which
is ‘too reflect Māori perspectives.
“This must
apply to a general election and the participation of a
Māori voice is essential and backed by the contest in
Māori seats which have ebbed and flowed since MMP was
introduced in 1996.
“These seats are a
constitutional right that have been contested since
1867.
“We would also point out that under the New
Zealand Bill of Rights Act and the New Zealand Human Rights
Act that we have a right to the freedom of expression of our
voice by bringing a Māori voice to the political
table.
“There is no other political party that is
organised and controlled by Māori for Māori to Māori, and
to deny the Māori voice in 2020 New Zealand is a reflection
of the imbedded racism we suffer day in and day
out.
“Even our Māori language is an official
language of this country since 1987 and by this veto on us,
it destroys Māori rights in an ugly little
decision.
“Māori perspectives require more airing
than on TVNZ’s Police 10-7 that negatively frames
Māori,” Tamihere said.
The Māori Party demands
that TVNZ allow the Māori Party to participate in the New
Zealand democratic
process.
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