August 24, 2021
Stature of Cullen grew through political courage
Former Labour cabinet minister Shane Jones says Sir Michael Cullen was someone who grew in stature through his political life.
Sir Michael died in Whakatāne last Thursday with lung cancer
Last night Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāi Tūhoe, who he worked closely with in his final years, held an online karakia for him.
Mr Jones says as a junior minister he was assigned to work with Dr Cullen on the treaty negotiations portfolio.
He saw the incisive analysis, courage and political capital he brought to bear on one of the toughest settlements – resolving the claims of multiple tribes to forest lands on the Central North Island volcanic plateau.
"As a New Zealand political pillar he grew in the role and he's a classic example of someone who came into politics and substantially grew and emerged as a greater personality and man than when he arrived," Mr Jones says.
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