October 12, 2014
Maori aspirations part of Labour history
Labour leadership aspirant David Parker says the party needs to reconnect with Maori aspirations.
Mr Parker, who was appointed acting leader when David Cunliffe stepped down and triggered a leadership contest, confirmed yesterday he was running for the position.
Mr Cunliffe, Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson and former Engineering union boss Andrew Little are also in the race.
He says Labour's relationship with Maori has been an important part of the way ot operates, even when it is not seen to be adoping an overtly Maori agenda.
"One of the historical gifts of Maoridom to New Zealand has been that they have met their aspirations by focusing on fair outcomes and their pockets and decent work and decent housing on the basis of what's fair rather than on the basis of race, primarily, and they've done that largely over the years through the Labour Party and one of the gifts of the Labour Party to New Zealand has been to help Maori achieve their aspirations through the ballot box in the name of fairness," Mr Parker says.
He says renewal is important for Labour as it nears its centenary.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH DAVID PARKER CLICK ON THE LINK
http://www.waateanews.com/play_podcast?podlink=MjMwMDI=
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