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'Leave!'
This is what Kahungunu CEO has said regarding the Maori Party.
Ngahiwi Tomoana, a stalwart of the Maori Party,
says the Government's mixed ownership model of SOEs
will not help Maori achieve their goals.
Ngahiwi Tomoana has known Pita Sharples all his life.
His plea to him today - 'Pita, leave.'
We are saddened that he's gone back on his word
and their original challenge to National.
This was the challenge laid down by the co-leaders one month ago.
This is the Maori Party's six page submission on the SOE Consultation
in which they clearly state their bottom line -
that the clause must relate to all shareholders.
Today their singing a slightly softer tune.
Leader of the Mana Party Hone Harawira says
no surprises here.
It reminds me of the foreshore issue,
they talked a good talk but did nothing.
Just like now.
And so the Maori Party continues to provide
ample fodder for Opposition
but in reality the National Party has always had the numbers,
which makes the Maori Party's half-pie furore
over Section 9 seem that much more of a waste of time and breath.
The decision is theirs.
That's perhaps the crux,
as there is a lot of information to wade through
and much more to understand.
Jasmyn Pearson, Te Karere.
Some were concerned that the Treaty Principles would be omitted
from the new SOEs legislation.
One question posed was who is the Crown?
Does it represent Maori? Peata Melbourne has this report.
This is the Treaty of Waitangi -
an agreement between Maori and the Crown.
Janet Mason is a Treaty law expert
that has long worked to uplift the Principles of the Treaty in law.
She says that the Government is taking the lazy option
regarding the sale of state assets.
This Treaty law expert agrees.
Under the Government's new law
the Crown will keep 51% of the shares of state assets
but the question is where does this leave Maori?
The decisions then lie with corporations
as to whether Maori will be allocated shares, if any,
as contained in the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Peata Melbourne, Te Karere.
The Maori Party says they will maintain their coalition
with Government despite its decision regarding the Treaty Clause.
Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell has been listening in Wellington.
He joins us live now.
What's your response to those urging the Maori Party
to leave its coalition with the government?
In the first instance,
we don't support any part of this bill.
Secondly, we're here to advocate the concerns of the people
that have been presented to us over the last few months.
We're here to have a presence while this bill is being discussed.
Regardless of whether we're in government or not,
this bill will be passed.
We may see benefits, we may not but it will get through.
We're pleased that the Treaty Clause will be part of the new bill.
Are you saying something is better than nothing?
There's no point in participating if you're restricted in having a say
or you don't have a party that supports the Treaty.
We've maintained this stance over the last few days
and strongly advised the Government to listen to the concerns of Maori.
Iwi leaders have done the same thing and so will the Maori Party.
We'll keep pushing this matter until we achieve a satisfactory result
where the Treaty is sustained.
It's a good position
but your co-leaders have said over and over again
that if the objective is not achieved
the party will leave the partnership.
Ngahiwa Tomoana and other leaders
say you are backtracking on what you said, that you would leave.
But the Treaty has been written into the new legislation.
We have achieved that.
The report we just saw
highlighted the Treaty's presence in negotiations
between Maori and foreigners. This matter is still being debated.
What we're saying is that any agreements
between Maori and the Crown should always include the Treaty
and this has been achieved.
There are concerns that Treaty policies will be diluted
under this law, do you agree?
It is well-known in Parliament that it's not just about this bill
it's about protected the presence of the Treaty in all laws,
environmental, fiscal or other.
The Maori Party's main focus is to protect the Treaty in law.
It should be a scary thought but this is how Parliament operates
and the Maori Party is here to protect that.
Some Maori Party supporters are fearful
that you will become complacent sitting at the table
and content with whatever the Government gives you
because you're saying it's better to have something than nothing.
They're entitled to their opinion.
It should be a question put to all Maori MPs
because that's just the way it is.
We have a seat at the table and we'll fight for what's important.
If we don't participate we'll be left outside the gate whinging
and what's the point of that.
That's why we're still there
because we have an opportunity to advance the people's case.
There might be a difference in opinion
but if we weren't there the Treaty might have been removed
from every aspect of the law,
and that's what National initially wanted.
So we're satisfied in the progress we've made.
Te Ururoa Flavell, thank you for your time.