Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox is blaming an upsurge in drug use for continued levels of violence and abuse against children.
The jailing of two people for the killing of Taupo three year old Moko Rangitoheriri has highlighted the issue and brought people out on the streets in protest.
Maori Party MP Marama Fox intends to join a hikoi in Wairoa at the weekend, and there are similar marches in Northland and Christchurch.
She says many Maori feel they need to take control of what's happening in their communities.
"The undercurrent of this violence comes from a lot of misuse of drugs as well. It's moving on. It's not the supposedly safe drug of choice, marijuana that people think it is but we are moving into P country and a lot of these crimes are being perpetrated by people who have strong addictions for drug abuse and alcohol abuse and it needs to stop," Ms Fox says.
She welcomed a $46 million boost in the budget for services to counter sexual violence.
