July 31, 2019
Uplift kaupapa heard despite rowdy delivery
Labour MP Willie Jackson says he was disappointed with the lack of discipline at yesterday's Hands Off Our Tamariki hikoi, but the Government still expects to work with many of the leaders to improve child protection systems.
Acting Prime Minister Kelvin Davis faced a barrage of heckling and insults when he tried to address the hikoi on the steps of parliament.
Mr Jackson says those protesters stepped over the line, and it was in contrast to past protests like the Foreshore and Seabed Hikoi.
People need to decide if they will work with the Government or work against it.
"Oranga Tamariki is not going anywhere so what next has to be some of the big players are going to have to work with us as we try to design something that will better fit our people because our people have been bruised and traumatised by a lot of the upliftments," Mr Jackson says.
The conduct at the hikoi was in contrast to the national hui on the issues called by the North Island Whanu Ora Commissioning Agency, which provided a forum to discuss the issues without people screaming at each other.
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