Jackson keen on ground level approach to Maori Development

The new Minister for Māori Development says he’s keen to bring his on the ground experience to the job.

Willie Jackson will be sworn in on Friday once the official results of the election are declared.

He’s looking forward to tackling Māori broadcasting, which under previous minister Nanaia Mahuta had been subject to a major review about its future direction and whether radio and television services should be merged.

He will also carry over his delegation to the Accident Compensation Corporation, where he says great progress has been made in its dealing with Māori, and his interest in employment.

Before reentering parliament in 2017 Mr Jackson spent more than a decade heading Manukau Urban Māori Authority.

"I’ve been sort of waiting for this opportunity because although I have been humbled and honoured with the work I have been allocated so far, this is the work I want. I want to get in and work with our people at ground level in these areas – employment, in the economic area, in broadcasting, in education, in the legal area. That encapsulates Māori development right across the spectrum," Mr Jackson says.

He will step down as co-chair of Labour’s Māori caucus.

Tamati Coffey has been picked to chair the Māori Affairs select committee, replacing Rino Tirikatene who has become Undersecretary for Oceans and Fisheries.

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