• Full Story

'Act like Maori' – leaders to Maori Party

Email
Print

'Act like Maori' – leaders to Maori Party

3News NZ

Maori Council co-chair Maanu Paul

Maori Council co-chair Maanu Paul

Maori leaders are speaking out against the Maori Party, with claims its co-leaders will not quit the Government because they have got no other jobs to go to.

A Waitangi Tribunal hearing into Maori ownership of water resources has heard evidence from iwi and hapu who are upset at the Prime Minister’s so-called dismissal of the hearing.

Maori Council co-chairman Maanu Paul says the Maori Party’s supporters are now calling for an end to its relationship with National over the issue

“They have nowhere else to go and so for them, their political life is almost at the O.K. Corral stage,” he says.

“In a Maori world, they should act like Maori – defend their mana, not the money.”

A representative from the Office of Treaty Settlements has come under fire at the hearing this afternoon for failing to properly explain and understand the intricacies of the claims.

RadioLIVE

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

17/07/2012 11:51:58 a.m.

judynz wrote:

When no one owns the water John Key (govt) certainly cannot sell it. The infrastucture to bring the water to the people was paid for by generations of NZers, It is OUR infrastructure & we say NO to the sale of it.

17/07/2012 10:06:13 a.m.

Gary wrote:

Maori party put themselves in a corner when they went with National, but by that time they had left themselves no alternative. Sure, it gave them a voice in parliment and with this issue is proving a good thing, but it is now time to show their real beliefs and where their heart truly lies. If they do represent Maori as their party name suggests then their is only one way to prove it. A voice in parliment is one thing but with out action it may as well be silent!

17/07/2012 5:34:24 a.m.

Brent wrote:

I hope they walk, Keys has said no one owns the water, maybe a snap election with this mandate would bring out some more voters, Come on TV3 run a poll, I Bet you hit the 90% mark,

16/07/2012 10:26:14 p.m.

Mal wrote:

The baubles and beads are far more important to you Tariana and Pita. Shame shame shame on you. You are selling your souls to the devil.

16/07/2012 7:53:32 p.m.

John Davis wrote:

As much as i dislike them its about time they represented their people not special interest groups, the Maori party right now is a joke of its former self even its actions are a contradiction to its name. It just goes to show Maori leaders are not immune to selling out their own people( and the rest of us) as well.

16/07/2012 6:25:39 p.m.

Chris wrote:

The last thing Maori should do is 'act like Maori' - that would mean tribalism, division, infighting and being 'anti-progress'. Maori could go back 200 years - fine if that's what the want, but its too late as they continue to still reap the benefits of modern progress and live in a multicultural society and land.

16/07/2012 4:27:56 p.m.

Piripi wrote:

The Maori Party would simply go to the opposition back benches. What's wrong with that? They would still get paid a fair salary! Too many vested interests and little deals and promises, that's why they want to keep their noses in the trough.