November 19, 2020
Bigger Maori caucus means bigger workload
The new co-chair of Labour’s Māori caucus says its unprecedented size means it is able to express a Māori voice across the whole range of Government activities.
Willow Jean Prime says the caucus is where Māori MPs can discuss their response to legislation being developed and coordinate their activities, and then communicate those discussions back to the wider caucus.
It now includes six of the seven Māori seats, six general electorate representatives and three list MPs, and its members are serving not just on select committees but in cabinet and the executive.
"Everything that parliament does, everything government does unpacks on Māori so with more people we are able to cover more areas and that includes our new members coming in like Arena Williams and Shanan Halbert. It's making sure we are coordinated as a team, covering as many areas as possible and being strong advocates for our people," Ms Prime says.
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