Goff: I'm ready for Waitangi Day backlash

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Sun, 03 Jan 2010 4:36p.m.

Phil Goff

Phil Goff

By Laura Turner

Labour leader Phil Goff says he's prepared for a backlash on Waitangi Day over his controversial race relations speech in November.

Mr Goff has spent the day chatting to mainly Maori voters on the East Cape, but says he doesn't regret a word of the speech which upset so many.

His first stop was at the Pa Wars, an event for the people of Ngati Porou, but his visit comes just over a month after his speech, where he accused John Key of pandering to the Maori Party.

So was he here to smooth things over?

"People on the ground tend to agree with the comments about the Emissions Trading Scheme, agree with the comments about Hone Harawira's inappropriate statements," says Mr Goff.

Despite that, he admits he is preparing for the backlash to break out when he is in Mr Harawira's stomping ground, Northland, on Waitangi Day.

"I might see that on Waitangi Day, but that's up to people to react as they feel appropriate, and it's for me to say what I believe in."

But he denies ever using the race card, and says he's using his tour of the East Cape simply to re-connect with ordinary New Zealanders.

This is just one stop on a week-long tour for Mr Goff, but if he is trying to win votes he may not have much success. Nearly every person 3 News approached today had no desire to talk politics.

Mr Goff acknowledges there is work to do before the 2011 election. He says there will be no major changes to the Labour line up this year - not that the crowd here will be taking much notice either way.

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Comments

24 Jan 2010 06:54a.m.

Jan.. wrote:

Mr. Golf along with Helen Clark are under suspcions for the corruptions' crimes and the death rates in our country..You sure make the Maori's people laugh RHonsby..All crims goes behind sealed concrete bars..

10 Jan 2010 12:29a.m.

R Hornsby wrote:

Our family backs Mr Goff %100,,just look at what National is doing to the country, and dont worry the Nats/Act want rid of the Maori seats altogether, but are smart enough not to say it outright.

Wont be long until the Nats have sold off NZ and we will have nothing!,,,NATS NO THANKS!!.

If you care about NZ`s future vote LABOUR 2011

08 Jan 2010 12:18p.m.

jackle wrote:

But is he ready for the voter backlash at the next general election???

05 Jan 2010 08:41p.m.

Phil wrote:

Phil Goff had a valid point in saying that the current regime will divide Maori against Maori, and Kiwi against Maori and Kiwi against Kiwi.

For one, the Maori party is a right wing party. They seem to share a common ground with Act.

1 The 90 day trial period.

2 Insulation for houses in the far north where as the colder regions miss out.

3 Privatisation of ACC.

4 Reform of welfare to Ora Whanau. One system for one group, another system for another group.

5 Reform of the ETS transferring costs from the polluter to the ordinary tax payer.

These combined will only benefit Maori that belong to a certain tribe, opening latent conflict between one tribe and another as one group of Iwi will benefit over another. You see not all Iwi are equal according to Sharples and Turia.

Then, these combined affecting non Maori New Zealander, who will resent paying for the ETS scheme, increase in ACC levies, and miss out on insulation for their cold south Island homes.
The entire saga is a bloody mess, and will blow up in all our faces.

However I do feel as if it is an attempt to put the acid on the Maori Party if it all goes pear shape. This will strengthen the National/Act party case for demolition of Maori seats.

Phil Goff was just warning us all about it. I hardly call it racist, and I hardly call it the “race card”, but just common sense from an experienced diplomat.

With regards to the Maori flag being flown on Waitangi day, it should be the original flag for the Unite Tribes of New Zealand , not the 1990 design used. That is a true representation of all tribes in Aotearoa , not the one being used which is Sharples and his greedy lot.