Royal Commission into the failure of NZ’s Intelligence a must / former National Ministers need to be held to account as well: Maori Council

Council calls for Royal Commission
Council calls Simon Bridges out
Council seeks former National Ministers to be bought before a Commission
Council calls into question the “Five Eyes” security and intelligence gathering partnership
Council calls on Facebook to be bought before a Commission

The New Zealand Maori Council has added to the call for a Royal Commission to be held into the failure of intelligence services to pick up the existence of white supremist organisations and individuals in the lead up to the terrorist attack on members of the Muslim faith in Christchurch. Council has called for any Commission or Inquiry to address what was happening under the previous National Government, Ministers responsible for the Intelligence services and also a look at whether the “five eyes” partnership with countries such as the United States, the UK and Australia failed to pick up the movements and activities on line of alternative right groups and those with white supremacy leanings:

“It is time to have an open and honest look at where our intelligence services failed and why, how it was with all of this investment in both infrastructure and staff did this man slip through what seems to be a gaping hole. In addition to that what did happen under the previous Government because quite frankly it’s not good enough for Simon Bridges to simply jump on some kind of horse and come riding to the rescue saying “it wasn’t me who was in charge” at the time. You want to lead Simon then leadership also means taking a long hard look at the period of time National held those intelligence gathering reigns.” Council Executive Director Matthew Tukaki said

“In addition is the call to account of Facebook and others. Of course Council has questions about why they were not bought to heel earlier than now but the stunningly obvious question is what is New Zealand part of the five eyes agreement around intelligence gathering if this person and these groups were not picked up? Actually it is as easy as developing algorithms and after all that’s what intelligence organisations have been doing for years – and they used to be pretty good code breakers – the point is; are we just playing real estate hosts to all of those intelligence gathering facilities like Waihopai or do we actually get something from it? Now; if we don’t get anything from it then why are we spending time and resources on something with no gain?” Tukaki said

“It’s also Important that the Government seek to address the racial profiling that has been going on for many years. The lies and nonsense the Department of Corrections spilled about Maori Nationalist organisations operating behind bars next to Jihadi groups, the absolute mess that MBIE got into spying on Iwi leaders and let’s not forget about the raids on Tuhoe that resulted in a national police apology. We have a problem with racial profiling in this country and I can tell you Maori up and down dale are sick of it.” Tukaki said

“So it is time for a Royal Commission, it is time for a reckoning and for questions to be asked with answers to be provided because it’s not until we get to the truth about why there was such a significant failure that all New Zealanders can feel safe and secure. And that also means those National Ministers responsible being hauled out and also held to account.” Tukaki said.

ends

© Scoop Media