Te Pāti Māori is urging Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro to block the repeal of Section 7AA, calling it a breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Yesterday afternoon, Children’s Minister Karen Chhour’s bill passed its third reading and awaits Royal Assent.
Te Pāti Māori’s formal letter highlights past instances where Assent was withheld and warns of harm to tamariki Māori.
The Waitangi Tribunal has ruled the repeal will negatively impact Māori children and whānau, making intervention crucial.
Labour’s Children spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime says the repeal only includes a Māori partnership clause to quiet critics.
“There’s no commitment, mandatory requirement to reduce disparities for tamariki Māori, and no accountability. There’s no reporting on how any of that is going,” says Prime.
