November 11, 2013
Turia cold on Security Council spot
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia is sceptical about whether New Zealand needs a seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Successive Governments have been lobbying for this country to take its place on the council for the 2015-16 term.
Labour’s foreign affairs spokesperson, former aid worker David Shearer, says it would increase New Zealand’s influence and prestige in world affairs.
But Mrs Turia says she can’t see much in it for Maori, as New Zealand tends to fall in line with the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, rather than chart an independent course.
"If we have a voice at that council, what will be the difference in our voice? Or will we just follow the big countries, generally the European countries and essentially go along with them. It's a very unusual thing for us to align ourselves to those countries where there are people of colour. I'm not sure that I actually support that we need to be on the Security Council," she says.
Copyright © 2013, UMA Broadcasting Ltd