25 August 2009
Media Statement

National’s Rejection of Maori Seats At Odds With Public Submissions

The National Government's decision to oppose Maori seats is in direct opposition to the majority of submissions to the Auckland Governance Legislation Select Committee, says Labour's Associate Local Government and Associate Pacific Affairs Spokesperson Su'a William Sio.

“Saying ‘No’ to Maori seats shows that the Prime Minister John Key has no long term vision for an inclusive New Zealand.

“Those submissions were from people and organisations from all walks of life, cultures and all sectors of our society, including some traditional National voters, and they overwhelmingly said ‘yes’ to Maori seats.

“Why? Many saw it as a way of moving New Zealand forward. Ignoring the majority view suggests that the National Government had no intention of listening to the people, after all.

National’s denial of Maori seats makes the Supercity look like it will be a gathering of the old boys network.

“When he was put under pressure by ACT, the one percent party, Mr Key falls to his natural default position of behaving like a gatekeeper, which is not an inclusive approach.

“Shame on this Government for failing to listen to the people. Sadly their decision relegates Maori to the back of the bus again. It smacks of the old boys club.

“Pacific people supported Maori seats because it was the right thing to do for New Zealand now and into the future. We put in abeyance our own ambitions in order to advocate and support Maori, because we believed if we don’t get things right for Maori, the establishment won’t get things right for the rest of the minority groups, who now make up New Zealand society. ”

New Zealand is not an inclusive society if the National Government deny a voice to the indigenous people of the land who ask for a seat at their own table. Maori should not have to beg or protest for it in their own land.

ENDS

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