February 07, 2013
Waitangi Place For Smarter Lobbying
Labour’s Māori spokesperson says Māori need to get smarter about the way they use Waitangi Day to advance their issues.
Parekura Horomia says in past years a highlight of going to Waitangi was the informal discussions and the way suggestions could be put to ministers or policymakers.
He says a heightened focus on treaty grievances has meant other issues don’t get a look in.
"Those issues like low educational achievement, housing, levels of child poverty; those are huge things for us. The one chance we've got to expose it clearly to the nation is Waitangi Day because there is a lot of good will around. For all the ranting and raving and the rednecks on either side, I think there is a fair bit of goodwill that has grown out of it," Mr Horomia says.
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