February 07, 2021
Maori advice lacking in Collins Waitangi push
A Māori political commentator says the National Party’s lack of support among senior Māori was evident at Waitangi this year.
Party leader Judith Collins grabbed headlines with her push for a speaking slot at the welcome for political parties on the Treaty Grounds.
Shane Te Pou says Jacinda Ardern has been allowed to speak from the māhau of the Whare Rūnanga was because she is Prime Minister, but it does not automatically follow that Opposition leaders have the same opportunity.
He says the National Party has been unable to attract and retain the calibre of Māori leaders it drew on in the past like Sir Hepi Te Heuheu, Georgina Te Heuheu, Sir Graham Latimer and Sir Wera Harawira Gardiner.
"You had all of these people that were sort of the moral consciousness of the National Party in terms of Māori issues, who had mana in their own right. That layer of leadership no longer exists so that's why I think the National Party is being so poorly advised because they don't have the individuals – I'm not just talking about the members of parliament the but the party structure around them that is able to afford them that advice," he says.
Mr Te Pou says the Māori Party made a strategic mistake by skipping Waitangi because with Rātana hui cancelled it means they missed what are usually the two Māori showcases that start the political year.
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