December 05, 2014
Reo advisors a snub to MPs’ mana
Labour says the appointment of a new group to advise Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa on the new Maori Language Bill is an abuse of parliamentary process and shows the Maori Party has lost its way.
Mr Flavell says he is still committed to the bill put up by his predecessor Pita Sharples, but he wants independent advice on how it can be most effective in ensuring iwi and Maori lead the revival of te reo Maori.
Labour’s Maori Development spokesperson, Nanaia Mahuta, says if the Minister intends to change the purpose of the Bill then he should either pull it from the Maori Affairs Select Committee or work with Labour to ensure that valuable committee time will not be wasted.
Associate spokesperson Peeni Henare says the committee has already found holes in the bill, and MPs are questioning whether it is about Maori language or a new layer of bureaucracy.
He says by creating a dual process, Mr Flavell misses a genuine opportunity for collaborative work across the House and alongside other Maori members to ensure that the best possible outcome can be achieved.
The bill will create a new body, Te Matawai, to oversee other agencies with responsibilities for te reo Maori.
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