The Government passed the third reading of the contentious Marine and Coastal Areas (Takutai Moana) amendment bill, leaving Labour Māori Caucus co-Chair Willie Jackson flabbergast.
Jackson says the passing is a direct attack on indigenous rights recognised by the courts.
“It’s another shameful act from this government, and we don’t know when the next attack on Māori is going to come. They’re legislating away our rights that have been hard won and recognized – courts recognise them, and then they overturn what the courts are doing. This is a shameful government, and as Tina says, we just got to get rid of them and continue to attack them, as we did last night,” says Jackson.
Jackson says the Māori Party, Labour, and Greens coordinated to oppose the government’s actions, but the bill still passed, leaving Māori feeling betrayed.
“It was a good presentation from the opposition last night, ourselves, Labour, Greens, Māori Party, coordinated an attack on the Minister of Treaty Settlements, Paul Goldsmith, Minister Māori Development. Shameful, shameful stuff in the house last night,” says Jackson.
The law will be in affect as soon as the Govenor General approves the Royal Asset soon.
