December 05, 2023
Protest driven by frustration says Jackson
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Traffic in the major centres was disrupted this morning as Māori protested the new Government’s agenda.
The protests were called by Te Pāti Māori along with iwi leaders Tāmaki Makaurau, Tauranga, Waikato and other areas to coincide with today’s opening on parliament.
Former Māori development minister Willie Jackson says he tried to warn National that anti-Māori policies such as a referendum on the Treaty of Waitangi would get a reaction.
“While they’re not rolling out a referendum, you’ve got attacks on te reo Māori, you’ve got attacks on the Māori Health Authority, there’s question marks in terms of Māori funding going forward and there’s a huge level of frustration amongst our people at the moment – I say good on them,” he says.