May 12, 2017
War grave visits added to Malaysia agenda
Maori Development Minster Te Ururoa Flavell intends to visit war graves in Malaysia as part of a trade and cultural trip to the South East Asian Nation.
He leaves tomorrow accompanied by several Maori companies including Miraka and kiwifruit interests in what has become a regular activity as Maori businesses used the ministerial mana to open doors in new markets.
Mr Flavell says the government’s decision to pay for the return of the tupapaku of up to 40 military personnel who died in Malaysia and Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s means there are preparations to be made.
"There are a number of our own people over there and their families put the call up to bring them home. We want to set the scene by doing our own karakia when we get there, ensure a Maori focus is part of any tikanga and that when they do start the process the scene would already have been set," he says.
Copyright © 2017, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com