May 30, 2023
National playing a tacky culture war: Minister for Transport Michael Wood
The war of words continues to rage in Parliament between Labour and National over te reo Māori tohu on roads around the motu, with Minister for Transport Michael Wood accusing National’s Simeon Brown of waging a tacky little culture war.
Waka Kotahi – the transport agency – last week launched consultation on bilingual road signs. It proposes using bilingual tohu when old ones are being replaced. At this stage it’s expected 94 tohu are ready to be replaced.
But National has come out fast and furious with Transport Spokesperson Simeon Brown saying “Most people understand English and speak English,”
He doubled-down on his opposition saying the focus should be on fixing potholes.
Minister for Transport Michael Wood says Simeon Brown’s comments are consistent with his approach of turning every transport issue into a tacky little culture war.
“I just think it would be good if we could work through these issues in a way that brings everyone together, instead of trying to drive wedges.” says Minister Wood.
Minister Wood says there are two separate budgets one for signage and the other for road maintenance.