October 19, 2015
Focus on tamariki from Maori Party hui
A new emphasis on children and abuse may be one of the outcomes of the Maori Party's annual conference over the weekend.
The hui at Te Ohaaki Marae in Huntly heard from former National MP Tau Henare on the need for rejuvenation and new kaupapa to attract people to it.
Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says while he appreciates the sentiment, the party has legacy issues it needs to address, such as reform of Maori land law and consolidating whanau ora.
But he says there was widespread concern about the reform of the Child, Youth and Family service and the high number of Maori in state care.
"There was a view and it is supported by all of us that that is unacceptable and we should give far more focus to tamariki, about keeping them out of staye care, linking them back to whanau and the importance Whanau Ora as a kaupapa can play in that the bigger issues about violence and abuse within our communities," Mr Flavell says.
The hui ruled out an alliance with any other party such as Mana, preferring to remain an independent voice for Maori.
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