Judith Collins
National Party MP for Clevedon

3 November 2005

Collins: Review of tikanga urgently needed

National Party MP Judith Collins says she supports a proposal for a review of the use of Maori tikanga in the state sector.

She is commenting after being asked to sit in the second row of a Maori ceremony celebrating the opening of a new administration block at Papakura’s Kelvin Road School.

“I now understand that this was because as a woman I am a ‘bearer of life’ and need to be protected by men,”says Ms Collins.

“Yes, I am a woman, but in my job I am a Member of Parliament first and foremost. As the local MP I didn’t expect to be treated like a second-class guest at a taxpayer funded state school.”

Ms Collins says a review is needed because more instances are occurring when women working in the state sector are treated differently because of their sex.

“Women public servants have to put up with this treatment all the time. If they complain they can get sacked. It’s time for a review of this situation.

“Culture should not be used as an excuse for state sanctioned sexism.

“The Labour Government should make it clear that it is not acceptable for women working in the state sector to be treated like second class citizens,” says Ms Collins.

ENDS

© Scoop Media