Labour

Labour’s spokesperson for Māori Affairs Parekura Horomia has welcomed the appointment of Lt Gen Jerry Mateparae as New Zealand’s next Governor General.

Dame Judith Binney was a true pioneer of New Zealand history. Her work helped build a bi-cultural understanding of our country's past. Her research contribution and insight into Maori history is a great loss. Labour’s Māori Affairs spokesperson Parekura Horomia said today.

Labour MP and Te Tai Tokerau candidate Kelvin Davis says the planned construction of two hundred tidal turbines in the Kaipara Harbour overrides the wishes of tangata whenua and other locals, and is the wrong decision.

“The National Government is forcing through the Marine and Coastal Area Bill in an attempt to do so with the support of the Māori Party before further internal rumblings cause them to implode,” Labours Shadow Attorney General David Parker and Māori Affairs spokesperson Parekura Horomia said today.

“I was both shocked and saddened by the news of Sir Archie Te Atawhai  Taiaroa’s passing. He was a great man, well respected within Maoridom who had great empathy for all New Zealanders. We all mourn his loss today,” Parekura Horomia said.

Labour will not scaremonger over the foreshore and seabed issue the way the National Party did while in Opposition, Labour’s Shadow Attorney General, David Parker and Labour’s Maori Affairs spokesperson Parekura Horomia said today.

“The new foreshore bill brings about changes to names and to process,” David Parker said.

Labour’s Associate Spokesperson for Maori Affairs, Kelvin Davis says the Rugby Union needs to let the boy’s Haka, blow the whistle and start the game.

The shocking rise in unemployment in the last quarter is even worse in its impact on Maori than for the general population, Labour Maori Affairs spokesperson Parekura Horomia says.

“While unemployment nationally has jumped from 6 percent to a staggering 6.8 percent, the Maori rate has climbed from 14.2 percent to 16.4 percent,” Parekura Horomia said.

“The Haka is just as much a part of New Zealand Rugby as a good scrum. Our school rugby teams should be free to throw down their challenge before games – just like the All Blacks,” Labour’s Associate spokesperson for Maori Affairs, Kelvin Davis said.

Hei ngā rangi katoa o Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori ka whakaihia ki te whakanui i te ätaahua o tētahi o a tātou taonga tino teitei tuku iho – Te reo Māori, ki a Parekura Horomia.

“Me hopu e tātou tēnei huarahi wātea ki te whakatairanga i te mea whakahirahira, te whakamau i te oranga me te tīkorikoritanga o te wairua o te reo ki roto i ngā hapori.