December 20, 2012
Ineffectual Māori minister coming under fire
Māori Party co-leader Pita Sharples has been labelled tired and ineffectual in his stewardship of the Māori affairs portfolio.
Labour MP Shane Jones says much of the action on the Māori front is coming from Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson, who has the support of his senior National Party colleagues for an accelerated treaty settlement programme.
He says while Dr Sharples is a likeable character, he has disappointed as minister.
"To be an effective minister outside the cabinet with a modest budget you've got to be very astute and you've got to know how to build bridges and you've actually got to move in a way that I think Parekura Horomia did and if you go right back to Tau Henare, he was quite an effective minister of Māori affairs," Mr Jones says.
Pita Sharples is also coming under fire from his own ranks, with co-leader Tariana Turia and whip Te Ururoa Flavell saying he should step aside as leader.
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