“Stop using us as a political football” says Maori women’s refuge

The collective of Te Roopu Whakaruruhau o Nga Wahine Maori in Palmerston North says Winston Peters is totally out of line to make accusations that there has be fraud within the collective.

“We have had an audit undertaken and the findings show that there has been NO fraud committed,” says collective spokesperson Julie Tukariri.

“We are absolutely disappointed that politicians would use us as a political football.

“We are also saddened that Minister Turia has been implicated by other politicians when in fact she had nothing to do with the issues.”

“We acknowledge that the audit identified some issues that we need to work on but not once did the audit find something as serious as fraud.

“We have been receiving support from Te Whakaruruhau Maori Womens Refuge in Hamilton to review our service and make improvements.

“The way forward now for us is to make our service more robust and to continue the much needed work we do for Maori women, their children and whanau.

“We urge all politicians trying to use us as a political football to allow us to get on with the work we need to do.”

ENDS

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