October 16, 2012
Institutional racism holding back Maori
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says all Maori need to speak up against racism within government systems.
The Te Tai Hauauru MP says in hindsight it’s clear the Tuhoe terror raids five years ago in Te Urewera were influenced by a culture of institutional racism in the police.
She says it’s the same deep seated racism that makes it harder for Maori to get jobs, succeed in school, or enjoy good health.
"It’s not because we’re somehow mad, bad and sad that we’re in jail and all of these other issues. What it highlights is who gets targeted, who gets the resources, which gets the opportunities and it certainly aren’t us," Mrs Turia says.
She says pointing out institutional racism gets people angry, but she doesn’t want to see future generations of Maori still being affected by it.