News that beleaguered current affairs programme, Native Affairs, will only get a half hour slot next year is another slap in the face for the staff at Māori Television, says Labour’s Māori Broadcasting spokesperson, Peeni Henare.

 “Cutting the format of this award-winning show from an hour to 30 minutes represents a real loss to investigative journalism in New Zealand.

The drawing of the Customs and Excise (Prohibition of Imports Made by Slave Labour) Amendment Bill from the Members’ bills ballot today represents a genuine opportunity to take a strong stance on human rights, says Labour’s MP for Tamaki Makaurau, Peeni Henare.  

“Slavery or coerced labour still exists in some parts of the world despite the abolition of slavery in the 18th Century.

“The Bill amends the Customs and Excise Act 1996 to include products of slave labour as prohibited goods.

Despite claims, it is obvious the Maori Party is not at the table with the Government when it comes to sticking up for tangata whenua, says Labour’s Associate Māori Development spokesperson Peeni Henare.

“The Māori Party promotes itself as a partner in Government yet funding for priority Māori issues like Māori broadcasting and the Māori language continues to be cut.

“The Minister of Māori Development, Te Ururoa Flavell, continues to oversee funding cuts to the Māori Language Commission and Māori broadcasting, which is diluting the infrastructure designed to sustain, promote and deliver a healthier Māori language.

Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell must explain a budget blow out at Te Puni Kokiri, after the organisation spent more than 2.5 million dollars over their budget for contractors, says Labour’s Associate Māori Development spokesperson Peeni Henare. 

“For the 2014/2015 financial year, TPK estimated a spend of $1.5 million on contractors.  By the end of the financial year however, they had spent $4 million. This includes a mammoth $512,742 spent in just the month of May alone.  

“Papā te whatitiri! Hikohiko te uira! Ka wāwāhia ki runga o Hikurangi maunga, o Waiwhetū kainga.

“Kua katohia e te ringa kaha o Aituā i tetahi pou whakarae o te reo Māori. Nō reira kei hea taku manu tui e tui? Taku kōmako e kō? Haere atu rā koe e te tupuna e Henrietta Maxwell ki ngā mātua tūpuna kua takahia atu rā i te ara whānui ki te pō. Ko ōu tapuwae ki runga tonu i te mata o te whenua. Ko ōu waiata e oro tonu ana ki roto i ngā Kohanga Reo me ngā ngākau o te tini puta noa.