Labour’s Willie Jackson questioned whether Māori-Crown relations have improved under the coalition, referencing Minister Tama Potaka’s tamariki during the debate.
“Mr. Speaker, can the minister look at tamariki Māori, including his own children in the eye, and say his government honors Te Tiriti,” says Jackson.
His comments came before the second reading of ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill, which was voted down 112 to 11.
Potaka says the Crown and Māori are connected through Te Tiriti o Waitangi and principles like kawanatanga, rangatiratanga and kotahitanga.
He points to the Ngāti Hāua Settlement as a sign of positive progress.
