June 30, 2021
He Puapua launch chance to move beyond race baiting
The chair of the National Māori Authority says New Zealand’s response to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples shouldn’t be used as an excuse for race-baiting.
Matthew Tukaki was on Newshub's AM Show this morning debating Hobson’s Pledge leader Don Brash about He Puapua, an independent report on how New Zealand could respond to the declaration signed up to by the previous National Government.
He says the focus should be on Māori hopes and opportunities, but people like Dr Brash want to drag New Zealand back to the 1950.
"The reality is we are a country that is moving forward in terms of race relations, we are moving forward in terms of te ao Māori, we are moving forward in terms of the aspirations of our people, so He Puapua is being reflected on, but actually the launch at Ngā Whare Waatea (Marae) this afternoon is about starting a national conversation, so let's have that conversation, but I'm getting sick and tired of this whole debate descending into race baiting," Mr Tukaki says.
Copyright © 2021, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com