July 08, 2016
Little finds merit in Nui nuance
Labour leader Andrew Little has reversed his earlier opposition to a patched gang member working in Whanganui.
Earlier in the week Mr Little expressed support for Corrections Minister Judith Collins’ decision to remove permission for Nga Rauru kaumatua and Black Power life member Ngapari Nui to work voluntarily with Whanganui Prison inmates.
But he says he respects many of the people who know and support Mr Nui, including Whanganui MP Chester Borrows, and he admits he overreacted when first presented with the scenario.
"What we do need in prison is helping prisoners understand what they have done and get them back on the right track is people who have been through similar experiences, come through the other side who have a set of values and can help prisoners and make them a constructive member of society again and if he is contributing to that, then that’s good," Mr Little says.
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